What to Know About Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Undergoing cosmetic dental procedures can be necessary for restoring your smile after it has suffered damage from injury, disease or decay. While there are a great many different cosmetic procedures that a patient can choose to undergo, there are a few that are particularly common. Taking the time to learn more about these procedures can be helpful if you are in the process of deciding on your options for improving your smile.

Bonding

Dental bonding is a common procedure that can be used when a tooth has suffered structural damage that will cause it to appear deformed or obviously damaged. During the bonding process, the dentist will gradually adjust the shape of the tooth through the application of the dental resin. After applying many layers of this resin, your dentist will be able to restore the shape and color of the tooth so that it will look similar to your natural teeth.

Bridges

While dental bonding and other types of reconstructive procedures can be used to restore teeth that have experienced significant structural damage, there are limits to what these procedures can restore. For patients that have teeth that have been too badly damaged to be properly repaired, it may be necessary to have the teeth extracted. Luckily, a dental bridge can be an effective solution for minimizing the effects the tooth extraction will have on your mouth. When a dental bridge is placed, it will be attached to the healthy teeth that neighbor the missing tooth. In most instances, the bridge will be a permanent addition to the mouth, but there are some bridges that may be designed to be removable.

Veneers

Some individuals may find that they have many teeth that are severely stained, discolored, or malformed. These patients may find that veneers are the most effective solution for restoring their appearance. When veneers are placed on the teeth, a small amount of enamel will be removed to allow for the porcelain veneer to be applied over the tooth. By covering the tooth with a small shell of porcelain, it will be possible to rapidly change the appearance of the tooth with minimal discomfort for the patient. Veneers are not permanent additions to the teeth as they will eventually need to be replaced. However, a standard veneer will be able to last for up to a decade before it will need to be replaced. For patients that decide they no longer want their veneers, the dentist can use dental bonding to replace the enamel that was removed to accommodate the veneer.

For more information, contact a company like The Smile Architects.