Choose Cosmetic Dentist

According to Global Newswire, the industry of cosmetic dentistry is booming and is expected to break $32 billion by 2026. What is a cosmetic dentist, and why are so many people seeking them out?

Most people think of a dentist as a person who takes care of fixing cavities, doing root canals, or repairing chipped teeth, to name just a few important services. Their priority is the health of your teeth. What if you're unhappy with your smile, however? What if your teeth don't look the way you wish they did? That's where a cosmetic dentist steps in. Keep reading to learn more about all the ways a cosmetic dentist can brighten your smile.

Smile for the Camera

Do you cringe when you're asked to smile for a photograph? Maybe your teeth are not as white as they could be. Perhaps you're missing teeth or your teeth are chipped, cracked, or uneven. Any of these conditions can make you feel self-conscious. A cosmetic dentist will check your teeth and go over solutions to help you feel better about your teeth and how they look. Here at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando, we're committed to solving whatever problem you may have with your teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth can be stained by smoking or by regularly drinking coffee, tea, wine, or cola. Pigmented residue builds up on teeth over time, making them darker in color. Teeth stains can also occur through natural changes in the material of your teeth as you age or through overuse of fluoride. A person going through medical treatments such as chemotherapy, high blood pressure medication, or antihistamines can also suffer a change in the color of their teeth. Poor oral hygiene can also cause stains.

Fortunately, teeth whitening is a solution for many of these situations. The process of teeth whitening starts with removing the build-up of stains on your teeth. This is often done with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The chemicals a cosmetic dentist uses to reverse the discoloration of your teeth are stronger than what you can get in an over-the-counter whitener.

Treatment of this kind can take up to an hour, and you may require more than one visit to achieve the desired result. Another type of teeth whitening your cosmetic dentist may employ is tray whitening. An impression is made of your teeth to create a tray that fits right over your teeth. A professional-grade whitening gel goes into the tray that you wear for a set period of time.

Trays work gradually, but whitening can happen in 1 to 2 weeks. Tougher stains may take up to 6 weeks. Keep in mind that if your teeth are decayed or infected, you may not be a good candidate for whitening. Your cosmetic dentist can discuss alternative options to help whiten your teeth.

Veneers

Over time, a lot can happen to teeth. They can become discolored, uneven, chipped, or gapped. These imperfections can affect your appearance. Veneers are a non-invasive way of solving these types of issues. You can get a veneer over one tooth or over a whole group of teeth.

Veneers are a thin covering put over the front of your teeth. The amount of prep work needed depends on the type of veneer you are getting. Most veneers made of porcelain or resin require extensive prep work. Your dentist needs to grind down your tooth to make space for the veneer to fit properly. Specific porcelain veneers may be no-prep, with little to no tooth alteration needed before the veneers are placed.

No matter the type of veneer you choose, the cosmetic dentist will smooth the veneers out, so they naturally blend in with the rest of your teeth. Once the veneers are in place, you are left with a brighter smile. As a bonus, if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, veneers may also help by blocking thin, damaged enamel from hot or cold food and drinks. As with other cosmetic procedures, veneers may not work with teeth that are decayed. Work with your cosmetic dentist to discover other options to repair teeth that don't look the way you would like them to.

Dental Implants

An infection or an accident can result in a tooth or teeth being lost. Missing teeth can cause a whole host of problems:

  • Bone loss: the jawbone under the area of the missing tooth can deteriorate
  • Gum disease: the gum area of the missing tooth is open to bacteria
  • Tooth shifting: the space left by missing teeth can affect the surrounding teeth
  • Poor bite: a missing tooth can create an improper bite

Dental implants can take the place of missing teeth and can prevent problems stemming from that empty space in your mouth. A dental implant is surgically implanted in the bone of the jaw. Once the bone heals around it, the implant holds a replacement tooth in place. You are a good candidate for dental implants if you are in good overall health and practice good oral hygiene. You will also need to have healthy gums and enough bone to house the implant. Smokers may respond differently to the implant procedure. Your cosmetic dentist at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando. will speak with you about your implant options.

The procedure to install an implant has several steps. The first step is to insert the implant into the bone. The jawbone then needs 6 to 12 weeks to bond to the implant. After the bone has healed, an abutment will be attached to the post of the implant. The abutment will hold the replacement tooth. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth to create custom replacement teeth. Once those are made, the replacement tooth is affixed to the abutment. In addition to helping avoid the pitfalls of a missing tooth in your mouth, implants can brighten your smile and improve your self-esteem.

Brighten Your Smile

Teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants are just a few of the tools our expert cosmetic dentists use to help fix a smile. If you are anything less than satisfied with how your teeth look, contact us at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando today. We'll have you smiling proudly in no time.