Imagine showing off bright, beautiful teeth and stunning everyone with your straight smile. A beautiful smile can make a wonderful first impression. It can also give your confidence a major boost.
Dull, chipped, or crooked teeth, on the other hand, could leave you hiding your smile. With cosmetic dentistry in Santa Rosa, you don’t have to worry.
Talk to your dentist about these cosmetic dental procedures to improve your smile today!
1. Dental Implants
Missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift, throwing your bite out of alignment. Your cheeks could sink inward, causing wrinkles to form. You could feel self-conscious if the missing tooth is evident when you smile.
Dental implants can improve your smile by replacing the missing tooth. These artificial tooth roots are surgically placed into your jawbone. After a few months, the bone surrounding the implant will secure it into place.
This process, called osseointegration, ensures the implant’s stability. Unlike dentures, your implants won’t shift when you speak or eat. Instead, they’ll look and function like your natural teeth.
Once the implant is secure, your cosmetic dentist will place the tooth over the implant.
Dental implants can restore the appearance of your smile, your ability to chew, and your self-confidence. They’ll keep your jawbone from shrinking. Otherwise, bone loss can occur if you delay treatment.
Preserving the health of your surrounding gums and bones with an implant can help you avoid future oral health issues. If you’re missing a tooth, talk to your dentist about cosmetic dentistry care. They’ll help design a treatment plan that suits your needs.
2. Teeth Whitening
The global teeth whitening market reached $6.9 billion in 2021. The increasing popularity of cosmetic dentistry can cause the industry to grow by 5% before 2030.
In fact, teeth whitening is the most popular dental procedure in the US. It accounts for 32% of in-office appointments. You can pair teeth whitening with any of these cosmetic dental procedures to improve your smile.
Teeth whitening treatment aims to make your natural teeth appear whiter and brighter. Dentists use different methods, including:
- Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy
- Sanding down stains
- Bleaching
Though there are at-home teeth whitening kits available, they’re not always effective. Visiting a cosmetic dentist can ensure better results. It can also help you avoid teeth sensitivity or gum irritation.
Your dentist will use higher concentrations of active ingredients to whiten your teeth. If you have extensive stains, you may need to schedule more than one session. Appointments with hydrogen peroxide usually take between 20 and 30 minutes.
After treatment, you may experience some minor tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. If the sensitivity lasts longer than a day or two, let your dentist know.
3. Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that can restore a worn-down, weak, broken, or decayed tooth. Crowns can help cover dental implants or teeth treated for a root canal. The crown will fit over the existing tooth.
During the procedure, your dentist may need to remove a small amount of enamel to ensure the crown fits properly.
You may need a dental crown if you have:
- A dental implant
- Severely stained or discolored teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Brown teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Weak teeth
A crown can also hold a dental bridge in place.
Crowns are made using different materials, including metal, porcelain, and resin. Metal crowns are the longest lasting and require the smallest amount of enamel removal. They can withstand chewing and biting sources.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have the durability of metal but the natural appearance of porcelain. They can match the shade of your teeth for a natural appearance. However, the porcelain coating could chip over time.
All ceramic or porcelain crowns look the most like your natural tooth enamel. They’re ideal if you have metal allergies.
4. Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are tooth-colored shells your dentist will attach to the front of a tooth. They’re made from resin-composite or porcelain materials. You may need this type of cosmetic dentistry care if you have:
- Gaps between teeth
- Smaller than average teeth
- Unusually shaped teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Severe discoloration
Your dentist will need one to two weeks to create your veneers. Once they’re ready, your dentist will evaluate the color, shape, and fit of the veneers. They’ll ensure your veneers are customized to fit your smile.
After cleaning your teeth, they’ll grind the surface of your natural tooth before applying the veneer. This ensures the veneer stays in place. Then, they’ll use dental cement to bind the veneer to your tooth.
Traditional veneers can last between 10 and 20 years with proper maintenance.
5. Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to enhance smiles. During the procedure, your dentist will apply tooth-colored resin to your tooth. They’ll use the resin to alter the tooth’s size, color, or shape.
Dental bonding is ideal if you want to make cosmetic improvements to your teeth. For example:
- Make your teeth look longer
- Close gaps between teeth
- Conceal cracks or chips
- Conceal tooth discoloration
- Change the shape of your teeth
It’s also used in restorative dentistry for cavities, dental fillings, and gum recession treatments.
6. Orthodontics
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile due to gaps between your teeth or crooked teeth, consider orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment can straighten your smile and restore your ability to chew. You can choose treatments like Invisalign, which is discrete.
Invisalign treatment involves wearing clear, plastic aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. You can remove them to brush, floss, eat, and drink beverages besides water. Since the aligners are made using clear plastic, no one will notice you’ve started treatment.
Choose Cosmetic Dentistry in Santa Rosa
Don’t let a discolored or damaged smile ruin your self-confidence. Instead, consider requesting cosmetic dentistry in Santa Rosa. With cosmetic dentistry care, you can improve your smile and confidence.
Dr. Matthew Anderson and his dedicated team can help restore your smile. We’re focused on delivering excellence with a comprehensive approach to treatment planning. Your smile is our specialty!
Contact us today to learn more about the types of cosmetic dentistry that can benefit your smile.
