Cosmetic Dentistry and your Options for a Better Smile by Chris Lontok

Cosmetic dentistry is a booming industry. More and more people are now more aware of oral health as well as new procedures they can undergo to make their teeth look better. With an increasing trend in putting great value for aesthetics, it's no wonder people in Tampa are willing to spend money on cosmetic dentistry to achieve that celebrity smile.

Some of the more common and well known cosmetic dental procedures are teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, crowns, and dental implants.

Discolored teeth enamel is a common problem since a lot of factors can contribute to teeth discoloration. Irregular brushing, smoking, coffee stains, and even genetics are only few of the main causes of non-white teeth. Teeth whitening procedures aim to breakdown hardened stains and then flush them out.

There are a few teeth whitening procedures available that correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent upon your objectives and commitment to the processes. The type of procedures available should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist, and they will recommend the most appropriate teeth whitening procedure for you. Some teeth whitening procedures in the market today are laser bleaching, Britesmile teeth whitening, and store-bought whitening creams and strips.

Porcelain veneers serve as teeth color correction procedures, but they are also used to correct the shape of a tooth. There are three main types of veneer procedures—(1) composite, (2) porcelain veneer procedure, and (3) Lumineer porcelain veneer procedure. The material used for the veneer is the differentiating factor of the three. Traditional porcelain veneers typically cost about $850 to $2,500 per tooth, and require two or more visits one to two weeks apart.

Dental implants and bridges aim to replace missing teeth. Dental implant procedures are surgical and cost way more than bridges, but they will last you a lifetime. Implants and sedation dentistry always go together. Note that bridges and dentures are two different things. Bridges are false tooth or teeth, known as a pontic, which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth or teeth. Dentures are removable teeth replacements made of acrylic.

Caps help stabilize damaged tooth/teeth. A cosmetic dentist will make an impression (mold) of your tooth and a dental laboratory will create the needed custom cap. To stabilize your tooth, a filling must first be put in place prior to placing caps to counter any loss of your original tooth structure. In some cases your cosmetic dentist may choose to use a Flipper instead of a temporary cap.

Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability. There are also varieties of dental crowns: resin, porcelain, and even gold. Porcelain crowns look the most natural but costs the most.

Teeth realignment has long been a popular part of cosmetic dentistry. But today, one procedure is gaining more popularity in the area of teeth realignment—Invisalign. This is a removable and transparent mouth piece you wear, and it functions as braces. Invisalign is ideal for everyone especially adults who wouldn't have to feel awkward about traditional braces.

Smiles by Design is a trusted cosmetic dentistry clinic that provides quality services to its clients in Tampa, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco.