Cosmetic Dentistry
The aesthetics of a person’s smile is just as important as oral health. We, as dentists, give equal prominence to both these aspects, which is why an entire branch of dentistry is dedicated to improving the appearance of the smile. Cosmetic dentistry involves several restorative and non-invasive procedures that aim at improving the aesthetics of the smile.
Dr. McGraw has spent several years of his life training to be a dentist, which is what makes him one of the most preferred dentists in Scotts Valley, CA. He provides the best quality dental care and makes sure his patients always walk out his practice with a beautiful and happy-looking smile.
What is the significance of cosmetic dentistry?
- Cosmetic dentistry makes your smile look more appealing to the people you interact with. This subconsciously increases your self-confidence and you’d feel more comfortable while interacting with people.
- Certain cosmetic dental procedures not only beautify the smile but also improve the functionality of the teeth. Appliances such as crowns and bridges have more of a functional advantage compared to the aesthetic benefit.
- Procedures such as dental implants and bridges prevent a change in the facial shape as they replace the missing teeth.
Bridges and crowns
Dental crowns and bridges are one of the most common cosmetic appliances. Bridges are replacement prosthetic teeth that are used to restore extracted teeth. They not only restore the appearance of a smile but also prevent the drifting of the remaining teeth from their positions. Crowns are cap-like ceramic appliances that entirely cover the surface of a worn-out, chipped, misshapen, cracked or weak tooth. Thereby, it helps to hold such teeth intact without allowing them to fail.
Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that only cover the frontal surface of the teeth. They are used to treat teeth that are badly discolored, cracked, spaced too far from each other, or misshapen. Since they are wafer-thin, they do not add a lot of volume to the existing tooth and also save the natural tooth tissues.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the best procedures to get whiter teeth in a short span of time. There are mainly three types of teeth whitening, namely conventional teeth whitening, custom tray teeth whitening and laser-assisted teeth whitening. Whitening gel, which is essentially an oral bleach is applied to the teeth and allowed to stay on the surface for a certain time period. The gel contains carbamide peroxide, which liberates oxygen molecules and helps to remove stains from the teeth.
Composite bonding
Bonding involves the application of composite resin on the surface of a damaged/misshapen tooth. The tooth surface is etched to roughen it, the composite resin is applied, shaped according to the contour required and hardened using a high intensity curing light. Issues such as excessive spacing, chipping, misshapen teeth, etc. can be treated using this procedure.
Gum contouring
Sometimes, the gums can go out of shape due to receding, overgrowth, undergrowth, decaying of gum tissues, etc. In such cases, the gum tissues may have to be removed, disinfected or grafted from a different region of the mouth. This improves both the oral health and appearance of the smile.
Along with the above-stated procedures, other cosmetic options such as tooth-colored fillings, dental implants, dentures, inlays, onlays, orthodontic treatment, sealants, oral cleaning (scaling and root planing), etc. also help to improve the aesthetics of the smile.
Schedule an online appointment or call us at (831) 438-1861 to have a consultation with Dr. McGraw and we’ll be able to guide you further.
