What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of the dental profession concerned with improving a patient’s facial appearance and self-image. A beautiful smile and strong teeth can be essential for many reasons, both aesthetically and for overall health.
Cosmetic procedures include teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, crowns, inlays & onlays, and dental implants
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry in Deerfield, IL
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can be one of the easiest and least expensive ways to brighten your smile. Typically, your teeth can be bleached with in-office products in your dentist’s office. Your dentist can also provide you with a mold and gels to whiten your teeth at home.
Invisalign™
Invisalign clear aligners are a fast, affordable way to straighten teeth, that performs just as well as traditional braces in less time.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from either tooth-colored porcelain or resin that cover the front of the teeth. After removing a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface, these thin shells are cemented (or bonded) to the front of the teeth, changing their color, shape, size, or even length.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored, pliable resin, hardening it with an ultraviolet light or laser, and permanently bonding it to the tooth. The next step is to shape and polish the tooth. Bonding can repair damaged or misshapen teeth and can also be used as an alternative to, or replacement for, amalgam or silver fillings.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown covers the entire decayed or missing tooth above the gum line and restores its shape, size, and strength. A crown keeps a weak tooth from breaking, holds a cracked tooth together, and can be used cosmetically to cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth. Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain-fused-metal, resin, or ceramics.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are made from gold, porcelain, or composite materials. They are used to replace decayed or damaged teeth. During an office visit, dental fillings are molded into position, while inlays and overlays are created in a lab and bonded into place by a dentist. The filling is called an “inlay” when the material is bonded within the center of a tooth. It is referred to as an “onlay” when the filling includes one or more parts of the tooth or covers the biting surface. They are an alternative to crowns and preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium replacement tooth roots that are then inserted into the missing tooth’s bone socket. Once the jawbone has healed, it grows around the implant, anchoring it securely into the jaw and providing a solid base for a new tooth.
