Cosmetic dentistry is a rapidly developing general dentistry subfield that refers to procedures meant to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of a patient's teeth. Cosmetic dentists' techniques today range from basic teeth whitening procedures to entire mouth reconstructions.
Whatever your dental health requirements may be, our team at Tarzana Dental Care is here to help you. Our practice takes a comprehensive approach to dentistry, placing equal importance on each patient's oral and general health. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentistry practitioners.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry, and How Does it work?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental procedure that aims to improve the appearance of your teeth, gums, or smile. Most cosmetic dental interventions also benefit your health because restoring missing teeth or fixing gaps inside your mouth can reduce the likelihood of developing cavities. Patients could feel more confident after their treatment, enabling them to smile without being self-conscious.
The phrase "cosmetic dentistry" encompasses a wide range of treatments. Below are a few of the most common procedures:
Aesthetic Rehabilitation
Aesthetic rehabilitation is an umbrella phrase that covers a wide range of dental treatments that aim to return teeth to their original luster. Most patients seek this treatment after long periods of wear since their teeth have become less visually appealing. Maybe someone's teeth have become discolored or misaligned.
This procedure is often used to repair teeth damaged by an illness or injury. There are times when disease or the medications used to address it could cause harm to the gums and teeth.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
When gum disease advances, it's common for patients to seek this cosmetic dental procedure. Bacteria can grow and spread under the gums and between the teeth over time. Periodontal disease is characterized by the gradual loss of bone support for the teeth, leading to tooth decay and shifting of the teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
These are an excellent treatment choice for people who have a tooth that is discolored, uneven or chipped. This procedure is also a good alternative for persons who want to fill gaps between their teeth or who have discoloration that does not seem to go away with teeth whitening.
Veneers are custom-made ultrathin casings of composite resin or porcelain placed on the teeth' exterior to improve their appearance. This casing is attached to the patient's teeth after a particularly thin coating of enamel is extracted. Enamel removal is crucial to the treatment because it guarantees a snug fit between the veneer inside the mouth.
After that, the veneer shell will be attached to your natural tooth. A strong bond is needed for the porcelain veneer to last through everyday use without breaking or coming loose. Porcelain veneers, when expertly applied, can restore the form and function of your teeth while enhancing the aesthetics of your smile.
Cosmetic dental veneers improve the tooth's appearance by addressing dental problems like discoloration, misalignment, chipping, and gaps. It also corrects uneven wear and crooked teeth.
They are often seen as an excellent substitute for dental crowns because they provide a more conservative means of correcting tooth deterioration. Generally speaking, cosmetic dental veneers could survive many years, particularly if placed and maintained properly.
Who Benefits From this Procedure?
When weighed against the numerous long-term advantages, the expense of porcelain veneers is relatively low. Traditional whitening methods do not always work correctly on certain people's natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are excellent and will produce stunning outcomes in such situations.
Patients wishing to enhance the form and structure of their natural teeth also can benefit substantially from this procedure. Some people worry about unsightly spaces, chips, or cracks and want to fix them in a visually appealing way.
Dental Issues That Cosmetic Veneers Can Address
Tooth enamel weakens and dulls with age for various reasons, including natural wear and tear, improper care, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. A dental veneer can cover flaws, including stained enamel, chipped teeth, and gaps between teeth. Additionally, veneers can correct teeth that are uneven, irregular, and chipped. In some cases, it can even replace the need for braces.
Dental veneers not only improve the appearance of a smile but also provide a practical function. They provide additional strength and security because they protect the teeth surfaces.
How Is Dental Implant Surgery Performed?
Dental implants, often known as "tooth roots," are artificial tooth roots that are surgically implanted into a person's jawbone and gums for aesthetic purposes. During the implant placement surgery, an incision has to be made in the gum tissue. The gum incisions are necessary for securing the dental implants to the jawbone. Typically, the recovery process takes months.
Dental Implants Cost
Having healthy teeth and regular checkups are no longer a luxury but a requirement in today's society. This is why dentistry coverage is included in some insurance plans, but what exactly does your policy pay for? How much does it cost to get dental implants?
Dental implants are a long-term, reliable replacement for lost teeth that outperforms dentures regarding reliability. Dental implant prices vary depending on the complexity of the required procedures. The following are some things to think about:
Tooth Material
Costs for dental implants can vary widely depending on several factors, the most important of which is the material to be utilized. Tooth implants are manufactured in foreign countries since the materials used to create them aren't widely available in the United States. If the dentist believes these implants would be suitable for you and are more durable than the local alternatives, they may recommend them to you.
Required Number of Implants
Patients may need more than one implant if they are missing a significant number of teeth. For example, if a patient has gum disease and their teeth are damaged, the procedure may require a more comprehensive treatment approach.
The dentist could advise having a bridge implant placed to replace the teeth if the problematic teeth are positioned next to one another. Dental implants could be more expensive than usual in this situation.
Mode of Intervention
Procedures for dental implants differ depending on the circumstances. Not every patient has the same problems; some could have a minor tooth issue that only requires the typical dental implants, while others might require several costly procedures.
For instance, implants placed close to the nasal cavity may necessitate a specialist's expertise. Sometimes oral therapy, gum therapy, or bone grafts are necessary for tooth implants.
Insufficient jaw bone volume necessitates bone grafting, which can be more expensive than alternative operations.
Cost of Professional Services
Having dental implants installed can be expensive, even with coverage. You might be able to save both money and time by hiring a skilled, professional dentist to complete the procedure. But, if the treatment is complicated, consulting an oral surgeon's skills could be the best action.
Bridges and Crowns
Typically, these fixed prosthetic alternatives for cosmetic dentistry are only removable by the dentist. A crown or bridge can replace a single lost tooth or multiple damaged teeth. Crowns, also known as caps, protect and fortify weak teeth by completely enclosing them in ceramic or porcelain, whereas bridges replace lost teeth by bridging the gaps.
Types of Dental Crowns
Below are the different types of dental crowns:
Full Porcelain Dental Crown
This type of dental crown is a great option if you value a flawless appearance since it blends in with your natural teeth. However, it doesn't last as long as porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns. Furthermore, studies show that it causes more wear and tear on other adjacent teeth. Most individuals who are sensitive to metals or who simply don't want their teeth discolored prefer using this method. Despite being expensive, its color makes it worthwhile.
Porcelain-Fused-to Metal Crown
Most people prefer porcelain crowns because they look and feel just like natural teeth. When you smile, it does not draw negative attention. Although it does not affect the tooth's appearance in any way, porcelain crowns are slightly heavier than metal ones and can cause wear and tear on the adjacent teeth near the gum line. It contains a metal for its intended function. Nevertheless, as it corrodes, the color becomes visible through a dark spot on the tooth's exterior. The fact that it's porcelain means that it can chip off easily.
Full Resin Dental Crown
This type of dental crown is the least expensive option, but it won't last as long as the other dental options. Compared to other crowns, it wears down the other teeth quickly and is prone to cracking and chipping. If you have a tight budget, this would be an ideal option. Once you notice any chipping, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to replace the cap.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Patients seek crowns for a variety of reasons. It's not uncommon for people to seek out dental implants for various reasons, including cosmetics, structural problems, or damage to their natural teeth.
Cosmetic
Crowns can be used to enhance the overall appearance of teeth even if there are no underlying health problems. The goal is to help these people regain their sense of self-esteem so that they can have more fulfilling lives.
Teeth can be misshapen or undersized at times. On the other hand, there are cases where the discoloration is so extreme that conventional whitening methods are ineffective.
Patients who have old crowns could notice black lines at the gum line. This is the underlying metal structure of an older generation of dental crowns. A professional dentist can permanently fix this with replacements by choosing only high-quality full porcelain dental crowns free of metal.
Damage
Crowns are also a viable option for patients with broken or chipped teeth. It would be necessary to seek the advice of an experienced cosmetic dentistry expert to ascertain how many dental crowns are necessary for your case.
Crowns cover and preserve damaged teeth so patients can continue enjoying their favorite foods without worrying about further pain. Normal wear and tear can cause cracks and chips, worsening into more serious problems if ignored.
Tooth Replacement
Dental crowns are routinely used to restore damaged teeth and to cover gaps caused by tooth loss. Crowns can be made to precisely mimic the size, shape, and color of a patient's natural teeth. Usually, an implant or bridge will be used to secure them in place. The best option for patients is an implant because it is a long-term solution and needs the same maintenance as healthy teeth. This includes taking care of your teeth at home by brushing, flossing, and frequently going to the dentist for checkups.
A dental crown could be the most effective solution for restoring damaged or missing teeth.
Cosmetic Dentures
Dentures evoke images of your grandparent's teeth floating in a jar because they were so uncomfortable they couldn't bear to wear them. However, this is not the case with the cosmetic dentures available today. Modern advancements in denture technology have resulted in more long-lasting and effective dental prosthetics.
These dental appliances, as opposed to bridges and implants, which are mostly fixed, can be taken out and placed back in the mouth anytime needed.
There are two kinds of cosmetic dentures on the market: partial and full. Partial dentures are usually used by individuals who are missing a few teeth but don't want bridges or dental implants. Full dentures are normally used by individuals who have lost all of their natural teeth in the lower jaw and upper jaw. If you're unsure whether you need a complete or partial denture, your dentist can help you make that call.
Cosmetic Dentures Benefits
Dentures can significantly improve a person's facial look. Additionally, many people believe that aesthetic dentures are simpler to clean than other tooth replacement options or even real teeth because they can be removed.
Aesthetic Benefits
Cosmetic dentures provide patients with a seamless "facelift," as they fill in the gaps created by missing teeth and smooth up the skin around the mouth. Patients feel more secure and less self-conscious about their appearances and smiles Additionally, dentures limit the movement of the other natural teeth, which can lead to additional dental issues.
Practical Advantages
Cosmetic dentures offer a huge array of functional advantages. First of all, patients are free to eat whatever food they like. The second benefit of dentures is that they enhance speaking once a patient gets accustomed to wearing them. Finally, a regular denture can last between five and ten years with good maintenance.
Price
Dentures provide the most budget-friendly alternative compared to other methods for filling up gaps caused by lost teeth. Other dental solutions, like dental bridges or implants, are typically more expensive and require more thorough procedures.
Even while dentures can improve a person's appearance and oral health, they usually require a short adjustment period because cosmetic dentures do not feel like real teeth. Nevertheless, they are made to assist patients in regaining the capacity to eat anything they choose and to improve their smiles and facial features while appearing to be normal teeth.
Orthodontics
Braces are frequently recommended when a patient has crooked or widely spread teeth. Although treatment may be unpleasant and time-consuming, getting braces can greatly enhance the overall appearance of the teeth, jaw, and smile.
Invisalign
This is an alternative orthodontic treatment that achieves similar outcomes as braces. The distinction is that they are less uncomfortable and more desirable due to their near-invisibility.
Possible Side Effects After Cosmetic Dental Surgery
Because dental implants necessitate cosmetic oral surgery, individuals could experience side effects following the procedure. Your dentist needs to know the specifics of the oral cosmetic surgery you're considering and the potential complications that could arise. Below are a few typical side effects an oral cosmetic surgery patient can experience.
Soreness and Discomfort
Patients who undergo cosmetic dental procedures often report feeling some level of soreness and discomfort afterward. However, this is normal and will gradually fade away.
Swelling
Swelling, like pain, is a typical post-operative symptom that normally subsides as the patient recovers.
Bruising
The gum tissue surrounding the implants could bleed due to surgical procedures. This, too, is natural. Moreover, bruises eventually disappear on their own.
What to Do About the Side Effects
Even though the side effects will go away on their own as the implantation incision heals, you can hasten their disappearance or lessen their severity if they cause you significant pain. You can deal with these side effects by observing your dentist's aftercare recommendations and utilizing cold compresses or pain medications prescribed by the dentist.
Since new techniques are developed yearly, cosmetic dentistry is rapidly expanding. However, cosmetic dental procedures are not cheap. Aesthetic dentistry costs more since many treatments and procedures use cutting-edge medical equipment.
Additionally, cosmetic dentistry is typically not covered by dental insurance, which makes it a questionable dental option for many patients.
The costs of cosmetic dentistry vary greatly from one dentist's office to the next, as you will quickly discover once you start talking to different dentists in your region. But before you ask your local dentist how much cosmetic dentistry will set you back, it's important to comprehend the factors that cause varying costs.
Find a Cosmetic Dentist Near Me
If you're looking for a cosmetic dentist in Tarzana, CA, Tarzana Dental Care can help you. We are dedicated to providing patients with exceptional treatment, ensuring they are at ease throughout their treatments and satisfied with their results. Call us at 818-708-3232 to schedule an appointment with us.