cosmetic dentistry

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

August 14, 2020 by DAC Leave a Comment

Many cosmetic procedures are elective rather than essential. However, many of these treatments provide more than just restorative benefits.

Cosmetic dentistry covers a broad range of dental procedures. But it involves any dental process that improves the appearance, not necessarily the function, of the teeth, gums, and bite. The primary focus of cosmetic dentistry is aesthetics, such as the color, position, shape, size, and alignment of the teeth.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

There are many dental procedures that fall under cosmetic dentistry. Some of these include:

Teeth whitening – Having your teeth whitened is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your smile. Professional whitening delivers optimum results in a relatively short time and is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments.

Dental veneers – Dental veneers are extremely thin, custom-made shells of porcelain or resin that cover the front surface of the teeth. To apply veneers, a dentist will remove about a half-millimeter of tooth enamel from the existing tooth and will bond, or cement, the veneer to the front of the tooth. Veneers can change the color, shape, size, or length of your front teeth.

Dental bonding – Bonding is a dental procedure that can repair chipped, cracked, decayed, or misshapen teeth. A dentist applies a tooth-colored, putty-like resin to the tooth, and it is then hardened with an ultra-violet or laser light.

Dental crowns – Also known as a cap, a crown is fitted over and replaces a tooth that is decayed or damaged above the gum line. This process restores a tooth’s shape, size, appearance, and strength. A crown can keep a weak tooth from breaking or can hold a cracked tooth together. A crown is made from either metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, or resin.

Inlays and Onlays – Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays can be made from porcelain, gold, or composite materials and fill damaged or decayed teeth. Fillings are molded into place at the dentist’s office, but they are created in a dental lab and then bonded into place by your dentist. It is called an inlay when the material is bonded within the center of the tooth. It is an onlay when the filling includes one or more locations of the tooth, or when it covers a biting surface.

Dental implants – A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that provides a permanent base for fixed, replacement teeth. Dental implants are an effective and long-term solution for a person who has a missing tooth. They fit, feel, and function just as your natural teeth.

There are as many reasons to have a cosmetic dental procedure as there are types. Many cosmetic procedures are elective rather than essential. However, many of these treatments provide more than just restorative benefits.

Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

6 Tips for Whitening Your Teeth

October 30, 2017 by DAC Leave a Comment

Having a good oral hygiene routine is the first step toward having a bright white smile!

Your teeth may lose their luster or become stained for various reasons. It is a well-known fact that smoking is not good for health. Smoking also affects the appearance of a person’s teeth. Stains appear on the teeth due to smoking and nicotine. Usually, people who have stains on their teeth hesitate to smile. However, there are ways in which these stains can be removed and a person can smile confidently once again.

Use a Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

If you want your teeth to be white, stop using the normal toothpaste and get one which has whitening properties. You can ask your dentist to recommend a whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste removes the stains on the enamel. It has chemicals which break down the stains caused by smoking.

Veneers

This is the easiest way to remove smoking stains. Veneers are extremely thin shells which are made from porcelain. You can go to a dentist and ask for porcelain laminate veneers. He will remove the stained tooth enamel and put a layer of adhesive porcelain laminate veneer. This task has to be handled by an expert.

Bleaching the Teeth

This is the most common treatment used to remove smoking or nicotine stains. For this, you can go to a dentist. He will use a tooth whitening chemical or whitening agent to whiten your teeth. He may give you a mouth tray and a tooth whitening gel to take home. Or he may perform the bleaching procedure in the clinic itself.

Laser Whitening Treatment

This procedure takes 15 minutes – 1 hour and is absolutely painless. First chemical or peroxide solutions are painted on the teeth. Then laser light is used to activate the chemical applied on the teeth. The teeth definitely become white after the treatment.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help to remove smoking stains. Dilute a small quantity of hydrogen peroxide and rinse your mouth with it several times in a day. It can work as a homemade mouthwash. You can also use a mouthwash recommended by your orthodontist.

Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene can keep your teeth sparkling white. It is important to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a dental floss recommended by your dentist at least once a day. Stay away from sticky foods. Chew sugar-free gum after meals.

General Dentistry St. Louis

It may take a while to get the results but consistent efforts will steadily improve the appearance of your teeth. Finally, you will be able to attain an attractive set of spotless white teeth. Your St. Louis sedation dentist can help you flash that confident smile once again.

To schedule an appointment call (314) 862-7844. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

3 Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Brighten Up Your Smile

September 24, 2017 by DAC Leave a Comment

Cosmetic Dentistry has become a vital and important part of the dental profession.

Many people avoid the camera because they do not like to smile. They are hesitant to smile to show their unattractive set of teeth or the unpleasant gaps between them. However, cosmetic dentistry has certain dental procedures to help overcome these issues.

If you are not happy with the appearance of your teeth, consult a cosmetic dentist as soon as possible. They can analyze your situation and suggest the best treatment to rectify the problem.

Cosmetic Dentistry

They will be able to show you the results of the dental procedures before actually implementing them. You will be astonished to see the changes in your smile, which will be brought about after the procedure, even before the treatment is commenced. All this is possible due to the modern scanning technology and the 3D cad-cam.

Some of the corrective procedures our St. Louis sedation dentist use for transforming the appearance of the teeth and improve your smile are:

1. Porcelain Crowns or Porcelain Veneers

Many people hesitate to smile and show the unpleasant gaps between their teeth. The gaps may be due to genetic reasons. They may indicate that there is a need for orthodontia. Or else, they could be there because some teeth have been damaged or lost. Whatever may be the reason for the gaps, they can easily be minimized by filling the space with porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

2. Dental Implants

People do not like to exhibit the big, unsightly spaces in their mouth when they smile. So they avoid smiling. These spaces are generally created when some teeth are missing. Cosmetic dentists can rectify the issue by using some type of dental implants. They can also use a bridge to fill up the unattractive space.

3. Teeth Whitening and Treatment of Tooth Decay

Common problems of tooth decay and the yellowing of teeth can make a smile unattractive. They can take away the charm of a smile. These issues can be solved easily by making a few visits to the St. Louis sedation dentist.

Teeth whitening is a simple procedure which is popularly used to transform the appearance of the teeth quickly. It can be performed at home or in the dental clinic according to your condition.

The problem of tooth decay is caused due to a bacterial infection. It leads to bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Cosmetic Dentist St Louis

It is not always possible to hide a smile or stay away from the camera. So it is better to consult a cosmetic dentistry expert and get rid of the dental problem which restrains you from smiling. Explore the various options available to obtain a perfect smile. Modern technology has made the impossible possible. You will be surprised to see the digital smile preview which shows the way you will smile after the treatment.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St Louis, Missouri. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

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