Cosmetic Dental Veneers- Lumineers
In the past, it wasn’t uncommon to see someone with one or more smile deformities, such as tooth chips or gaps. Most people didn’t think anything of it. Today, we have become much more aware of our flaws and consequently those of others.
This heightened scrutiny over appearance has been propagated by the celebrity culture, where even minor flaws are rarely tolerated. The one feature that demands the most attention when we interact in a social setting is undoubtedly our smile.
Although many of us engage in proper oral hygiene, things like stains, crowding teeth, tooth chips, so on and so forth can detract from the overall beauty of our teeth. Despite advances in dental technology that have allowed for exciting treatments like tooth whitening and invisible braces, most people would be hard-pressed to find the time to complete these long treatments, let alone maintain the end results.
Fortunately, many frustrated people have come to find dental veneers, which can correct a plethora of smile imperfections in as little as two appointments at the cosmetic dentist office.
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-like shells that are adhered to the teeth that create a flawless, long-lasting smile. These veneers, fabricated of porcelain or a composite material (much like the one used for white fillings) are bonded to the teeth once they have been adequately prepared. In order to achieve the best bond strength possible, a few millimeters of tooth enamel must be removed.
The reduction in tooth structure also keeps the veneers from appearing too bulky. If you aren’t particularly comfortable with having your teeth filed down, consider getting lumineers.These are very thin veneers that can be installed with no drill work (provided that certain conditions are met).
Unlike the case with conventional veneers, your teeth can be restored to their initial state if you are dissatisfied with the results. The tooth preparation phase typically takes place during the first appointment, as most dental laboratories require at least a week to fabricate a set of veneers. When the cosmetic dentist has finished shaping your teeth, they will be outfitted with temporaries and a mold will be sent off to the lab.
The second and final appointment for dental veneers tends to be much less anxiety-ridden since drill work is no longer needed. The cosmetic dentist will apply an etching solution to the teeth to provide the veneers an optimal surface to bond to and afterward will apply the bonding gel to the veneers in preparation for fitting. A special light will be used to complete the bonding process, after which any bonding agent that has escaped from under the veneers is removed.
This step must be conducted very thoroughly, as any seepage that is not caught can stain later down the line, making for an aesthetically displeasing effect. The cosmetic dentist must pay particular attention to the spaces between the teeth, as excess bonding agent can interfere with flossing and other forms of dental hygiene.
As advantageous as dental veneers may sound, they come at a steep cost. You should expect to reasonably pay anywhere from $1,000 upwards per tooth. If installed by a competent cosmetic dentist, the veneers should easily last ten or more years with proper care on your end.
Always keep up to date with your dental visits after getting outfitted with veneers, as your teeth will be more susceptible to decay due to the lost tooth enamel. Talk to your cosmetic dentist about products he or she recommends to avoid having to get the veneers re-polished because of dulling caused by abrasive toothpastes. As a prudent patient, you will be very satisfied with your veneers.
Cosmetic Dentistry- Different Options to Choose From
Cosmetic dental surgery is a form of dentistry. While regular dentistry tends to focus on oral hygiene and related practices, cosmetic dental surgery concentrates on improving the aesthetics of an individual’s overall mouth. While dentistry treats oral diseases and diagnoses problems with the teeth and gums, cosmetic dental surgery considers the total aesthetic appearance of the teeth and mouth, including the smile. Both types of dentistry perform restorative practices, but always at the back of the cosmetic dentist’s mind is the manifestation of the dental work as part of a complete picture.
There are many different types of cosmetic dental surgery. Some have proven to be more popular than others are. On the restorative level are the indirect fillings referred to as inlays or onlays. These constructs made of porcelain or a composite are a filling adhered into pace using a bonding substance. The porcelain fillings resemble the teeth they replace. Other common practices include:
Composite Bonding – the repairing of discolored, broken, chipped, decayed or stained teeth by the application of a dental composite either on the surface of the enamel or into the cavity. The dental surgeon shapes and molds the composite to fit the tooth then hardens it into this form using a highly intense light.
Teeth Whitening – This form of cosmetic surgery is very popular. It is often referred to as bleaching. The dentist may send the patient home with whitening toothpaste, ask them to wear a device – mouth tray, filled with a whitener such as peroxide paste or give them in office treatment. Methods may involve highly concentrated carbamide peroxide applied in mouth trays or dental strips. Lasers and UV lights are common in-chair bleachers.
- Dental Veneers – This procedure involves using ultra-thin porcelain or composite laminates to cover gaps in teeth, chips, cracks and extensive yellowing. The process involves reducing the enamel on the tooth surface by approximately 0.5 mm before bonding the veneers permanently in place.
- Dental Implants – The cosmetic surgeon uses prosthetics – artificial teeth replacements, to compensate for the elimination, accidental loss or other removal of teeth.
- Lumineers – a lighter version of veneers requiring no actual reduction of the tooth structure prior to attachment.
- Contouring – During this process, the cosmetic dental surgeon sculpts or reshapes the teeth. The dental surgeon removes a few millimeters of the enamel. The purpose is to correct such things as cracked, overlapping, chipped or even crooked teeth.
Cosmetic dental surgery involves a variety of procedures for improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, gums and mouth. Its focus is on giving individuals brighter, cleaner, whiter teeth and perfect smiles. The services are elective. Although not a recognized specialty field, cosmetic dentists can belong to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA) and the American Cosmetic Dental Association (ACDA).
What Cosmetic Dental Surgery Can Do For You
Your teeth is one of the first things people see when they are looking at your face.
They are highly noticeable! When you have an overbite, crocked teeth, gaps, or stained teeth people see that. In 2009 people often make a judgment in their mind about your personality based on your smile.
Have you ever seen someone smile at you with perfect teeth? Do you notice how is makes their whole face look better overall? In our looks obsessed society they are ever more important than ever.
Even the talented Estelle coming off a hit song with Kanye West was ordered by Atlantic Records to get her teeth fixed even though she has a beautiful voice.
With the help of the gr
owing field of cosmetic dentistry and highly skilled professionals dedicated to great looking teeth nobody has to live with the smile they were born with. A great smile is not just for top paid celebrities, news anchors, and Hollywood actors, anyone can get the smile they’ve always wanted of with the help of an experienced and trained dentist.
Its really amazing what people can do these days.
There are many different procedures in the field of cosmetic dentistry to help a variety of smile problems from teeth whitening, crowns and dental bridges, white fillings, dental implants and the popular porcelain veneers. With cosmetic dentistry your new smile can higher your confidence, improve self esteem and drastically improve your personal life along with your career.
We’ve seen it many times over on the dental makeover shows. Teeth are always the item make the biggest improvement in a person’s appearance! They far outweigh any other cosmetic surgery procedure that can be done.
Start finding out today what you can do to improve your teeth and change your life forever.