In the dental industry, multiple types of dentistry are available to the everyday consumer. Traditional dentistry has to deal with necessities in a patient’s mouth - cavities, cleanings, and removals - that will lead to more damage if not dealt with. Preventative dentistry deals with the steps to help prevent issues that can become long term problems in the mouth. Cosmetic dentistry is an aspect of the industry that deals specifically with wants rather than needs. For instance, if there are misplaced, discolored or out of the ordinary teeth, there are options available to help improve them. Whether you have a chipped tooth or need a complete smile makeover, Apple Tree Dental in Rexburg is here for you! Some of the available options are as follows:
From the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry website, we learn that porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. Veneers allow the patient to keep the majority of their natural tooth structure while adding layers of porcelain to improve the color and size of teeth for their mouth. The ceramic veneers replace the original enamel of the teeth in a process that is vital to the function of the veneer. When bleaching and whitening don’t work, veneers may be a viable option to restore that tooth to a bright white smile. Veneers provide fantastic benefits and can lead to a brighter, stronger smile that makes a patient proud to show their teeth!
Among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental treatments is dental bonding. Bonding is a process in which a composite resin, or plastic, is applied and bonded directly to a chipped, discolored or damaged tooth. A bonded tooth can easily fill in a gap between teeth. Due to the flexibility of the bond’s ingredients, the shade of the bond will easily match and become seamless to the natural teeth in the patient’s mouth. Some of the benefits that arise from bonding teeth are how quickly they can be put on and how long the bond can last. Usually, the process can be accomplished within 30 minutes to an hour, and the bond will remain strong for 3-10 years on average. Please come in and talk with us at Apple Tree Dental to hear more about the bonding options that we have available here!
From Colgate.com: “Bridges and crowns are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants by a dentist or prosthodontist.” When a tooth or a set of teeth are weak and in bad shape, a dentist may suggest that a crown be placed. A crown is made of durable materials like metal alloys, porcelain or resin composite. The type of crown that a patient’s mouth needs depends on a few criteria and is different for each patient. For instance, after a root canal, it is strongly recommended that a crown be placed to protect the newly repaired tooth. If a tooth has or has had extensive decay a crown can be extremely beneficial to help bring the tooth back to a healthy state. Bridges are available as well when a tooth is missing. A bridge will fill the gap and keep the surrounding teeth in an environment to continue to grow strong. If the gap is not filled, the teeth that surround the gap can start to drift and fill the gap. To see when you can schedule an appointment click here.
Among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures is professional teeth whitening. In a previous blog post, we mentioned the history and benefits that teeth whitening has. If you want to check out that blog post, you can see it here. At the end of the day, if you want a brighter smile, this may be the best option for you.
Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide variety of options for the many types of teeth. With the experience that is found at Apple Tree Dental, you have a phenomenal option for addressing discolored, chipped, or misaligned teeth in Rexburg and the Eastern Idaho area. Give us a call to see when we can schedule you next!