Cosmetic Dentistry – Know All of Your Options

According to many research, when you meet someone for the first time, you notice their grin more than any other trait. This helps to explain the surge in interest in aesthetic dentistry during the last decade.

The other side of the coin is significant technological and technique advancements. With so much information available, even the most inexperienced dentist may find it difficult to grasp this complex issue.

This article will assist to clarify the matter by outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, allowing you to make an informed and logical decision on which option is best for you.

Because of the popularity of the extreme makeover shows, cosmetic dentistry is frequently associated with porcelain veneers. Veneers are a terrific option, but they are not the only one. Whitening, orthodontics (braces), dental implants, oral surgery, gum lifts, tooth coloured fillings, and even a new set of dentures are all examples of cosmetic dentistry. And, depending on the type of dentist you visit, you may be given only one or two of these options.

Consider the following analogy: imagine you have a hurting joint. If you visit an orthopaedic surgeon, surgery will almost certainly be prescribed. A chiropractor may recommend adjustments, a physical therapist may recommend physical therapy and exercises, a nutritionist may suggest glucosamine, and a pharmacy may recommend Advil or Aleve. All are effective therapies for achy joints, but not all are suited for every patient. Indeed, the most effective treatment may be a combination of multiple diverse modalities.

Assume you have a crooked smile that has to be fixed.

A regular dentist may prescribe whitening and/or bonding, a cosmetic dentist may recommend veneers, an orthodontist may recommend braces, and a surgeon or gum specialist may provide other options. Similarly to the analogy, the optimal treatment may be a combination of multiple treatments.

So, let’s take a look at the cosmetic dentistry alternatives available and provide an understanding of the

• risks,
• advantages,
• cost, and
• time involved for each.

WHITENING

Tooth whitening, often known as bleaching, has been around for decades. Almost all systems contain some type of hydrogen peroxide, which has been proved to be perfectly harmless for teeth and possibly even good to the gums. The most significant disadvantages of whitening are sensitivity and unpredictability. The primary benefit is the low cost. Various “whitening strips” cost roughly $40 and can be purchased over the counter.

They are effective for light discoloration on otherwise healthy, normal teeth. Stock bleaching trays purchased over the Internet deliver roughly the same level of whitening, albeit with somewhat greater sensitivity.

If you are prepared to wear them every night for a few weeks, custom whitening trays offered by a dentist provide even greater results. One-hour bleaching at a dentist clinic or spa achieves the same or better job rapidly, but it may cause some temporary sensitivity. In-office bleaching costs between $400 and $1,000, but the outcomes are still unpredictable. Some patients have fantastic outcomes from these procedures, while others are let down. A procedure called as “Deep Bleaching” created by dentist Rod Kurthy will offer predictable outcomes, even in highly stained teeth, for persons with typical healthy teeth who want predictable results. This technique combines in-office sessions with specific take-home trays to get consistently excellent outcomes.

Deep bleaching costs between $1,200 and $1,800, and there is little to no sensitivity with this technique. However, if your teeth have other abnormalities aside from colour, you will most likely need to consider “permanent whitening,” often known as porcelain veneers.

VENEERS AND CROWNS IN PORCELAIN

Porcelain veneers are thin facings that are glued to the front of your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. They can totally conceal stains, even out crooked teeth, and restore chipped teeth to their original condition. Traditional porcelain veneers necessitate tooth numbing and the removal of the top stained layer to make room for the new white porcelain layer. The effects can be spectacular and immediate, with the veneers lasting for decades.

The disadvantages are the high cost, sensitivity that might continue for weeks or months, and irreversibility. However, in some circumstances, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Lumineers are another alternative if you do not want your teeth numbed.

Lumineers are very thin porcelain veneers that, in most situations, do not require numbing of the teeth or drilling into sensitive parts of the teeth. While they can’t fix everyone’s grin problems, they should be considered, especially for worried patients. Both Lumineers and regular veneers are pricey, costing between $1,500 and $2,000 per tooth, but they may be done in a matter of days. This makes them ideal for patients who require “instant satisfaction.”

Porcelain crowns are identical to typical dental crowns, except the inside of the crown does not include any black metals. All-porcelain crowns are a terrific solution for patients who are tired of the “black line” around the gums of their capped teeth. The modern crowns are extremely robust and attached to the tooth, preventing cement wash-out that used to occur with traditional crowns. Porcelain crowns are normally more expensive than regular crowns, but they are well worth the extra cost in any location where the crown’s edge is visible.

ORTHODONTICS (BRACES)

Orthodontics may be a better option than porcelain veneers if you don’t mind waiting a few months for your new smile. Orthodontics is a more natural and cost-effective option for patients who have nice-looking natural teeth that are only misaligned or gapped. Of course, in the field of cosmetic dentistry in Bangalore, most adults do not want railroad track braces on their teeth. Therefore, manufacturers have produced “transparent braces,” which are little more than a thin wire on the teeth. Furthermore, modern orthodontics has embraced the “low-force, low friction” idea, making braces more pleasant than ever.

If the notion of wearing braces still bothers you, you should look into Invisalign. Invisalign is a system of clear plastic trays that, like bleaching trays, gently shift your teeth to their new, straight position. Invisalign therapy is faster and easier than traditional braces, with an average treatment time of about 11 months, and there are no diet restrictions or concerns with brushing and flossing. The drawback of Invisalign is the time required, as well as the possibility that porcelain veneers will still be required to satisfy the patient’s cosmetic goals. The benefit is that natural teeth are preserved, and the cost is relatively inexpensive (about $6,000 overall).

DENTAL IMPLANTS

If you have some missing teeth, whitening, veneers, and braces may not be enough to meet your needs. Previously, missing teeth meant partial or full dentures, or occasionally a bridge. We can now replace missing teeth with artificial teeth that appear and feel just like genuine teeth thanks to recent technological developments. With a success rate of more than 95%, implants have become nearly standard in many dental practises. The benefits are evident; the drawbacks include the high initial cost and the requirement for minor surgery to install them. Dental implants may be less expensive in the long run than other options because they can potentially last the rest of your life.

SURGERY

Most patients would prefer to avoid surgery, yet it is occasionally the only alternative. Gum surgery to repair a gummy smile, chin implant surgery to improve a receding chin, jaw surgery to correct a disfiguring overbite or cleft – these are circumstances where other options may not be sufficient. Surgery is frequently regarded as the last resort, but in some circumstances, the benefits outweigh the risks.

THE ALL-IN-ONE APPROACH

All of the above alternatives are used in the comprehensive approach. This frequently entails combining two or more of the aforementioned therapeutic techniques. It all begins with determining the patient’s desired outcome, budget, lifestyle issues, and time schedule. All of these factors can influence a patient’s treatment decision and should be considered by the dentist.

The next revolution in dental care is about to begin. You can take better care of your teeth with our easy-to-use dental resources. From whitening and bonding to crowns and implants, you’ll find a wealth of information at your fingertips and the dentist near me, who cares about your dental and overall health.