Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Composite fillings are often used to repair teeth, particularly teeth towards the front of the mouth that are visible. Silver fillings can be replaced with tooth-coloured ones if the fillings are visible when you smile. The decision to replace silver fillings for improved appearance should be balanced against the risk of nerve injury and structural damage to teeth which can occur when placing tooth-coloured fillings.
Bleaching (whitening) Darker teeth can be lightened with special bleach, which can be applied in the dental chair or at home. Customised plastic trays are made to fit specifically to the shape of your teeth and act as a reservoir for bleach. After two weeks of night application at home, you should notice a significant difference in the brightness of your teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry is a method of professional oral care that focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth. And although cosmetic dentistry procedures are usually elective rather than essential, some treatment cases also provide restorative benefits. Learn about the most common procedures and how they work.
Veneers Approximately 0.5 millimetres thick, veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth to mask any discolouration. The equivalent depth of enamel will need to be removed from the front of the teeth to ensure even thickness. Although porcelain lasts longer than resin veneers, it can be easily damaged by habits such as fingernail chewing.
Crowns are caps permanently bonded over a damaged tooth. Porcelain options are available to match the colour of adjacent teeth.
Bridges are series of caps supported by teeth on either side to replace missing teeth. This is most effective when the gap is small and the teeth on either side of the gap require crowns.
