Cosmetic dentistry consists of treatments that can be used to straighten, lighten, reshape and repair teeth. Cosmetic treatments include contouring, composite bonding, veneers, tooth coloured crowns, bridges, tooth coloured fillings, teeth whitening and orthodontics.
Tooth contouring is a method in which a small portion of the tooth enamel is removed with a drill. Tooth contouring can be used for treating a number of defects such as small chips, overlapping teeth, uneven length and pointed teeth.
Bonding is the application of a tooth coloured resin called composite to fix the shape or colour of teeth. Composite bonding can easily repair chips, fractures, and discolored teeth. The results are immediate and usually no tooth reduction is required.
Veneers are a way of treating discoloured or unsightly teeth, closing gaps between front teeth, or repairing chips and cracks. To make a veneer a small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth, usually the same thickness as the veneer will be. An impression (mould) is taken by the dentist and sent to a dental technician for the veneer to be made in the laboratory. The veneer is then bonded to the tooth.
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.
Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials.
Porcelain bonded to precious or non-precious metal: this is what most crowns are made from. A precious or non-precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.
All ceramic crowns: this modern material is metal free. It can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a natural tooth.
Made by putting crowns on the teeth at either side of the space and then joining these two crowns together by replacing a false tooth in the space. This is all made in the laboratory and then cemented into place with special adhesives.
The dentist will choose a shade to match your own teeth, although over time the filling can get stained. After the tooth is prepared, the filling is bonded onto the area with an adhesive and a light shone onto it to set it.
Inlays can be made in a laboratory and this will need at least two visits to your dentist. The materials can be hard wearing and long lasting, and it can be coloured to match your own teeth.
Tooth Whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It involves the use of mild bleaching materials to gently lighten the colour of teeth.
Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work.
