Cosmetic Dentistry Las Vegas focuses on improving the appearance of your smile. It addresses issues like crooked teeth, discoloration & other cosmetic defects.
While cosmetic treatment may not be covered by insurance, restorative treatments such as dental crowns & dentures are typically reimbursed. The following are some of the most popular cosmetic procedures:
Dental implants are a popular treatment for replacing missing teeth. They look and function like natural teeth and can improve the appearance of your smile. They can also help improve your health by preventing bone loss and making it easier to eat and speak.
However, it is important to note that while many people think of dental implants as cosmetic dentistry procedures, they actually fall under the category of restorative or essential treatments rather than purely cosmetic ones. This is because they restore proper function to the mouth after tooth loss and make it possible to eat and speak properly again.
Moreover, they provide stability and support for other restorations such as dental bridges or dentures. The type of implant you choose depends on your preferences and the condition of your gums. For instance, you can get bar-retained or overdenture implants that consist of a thin metal bar connecting two to five implants fixed inside the jawbone. These types of implants are typically used for full or partial dentures that need support and stability, and they can give you a more natural-looking smile.
Another kind of implant is called the immediate-load implant that enables dentists to place and attach false teeth replacements directly into your jawbone without waiting for a bone-grafting procedure to heal. This type of implant can sometimes be placed quickly and offers the same strength as other implant types.
You can also get mini dental implants which have a smaller post than other kinds of implants. They can be placed in the upper front teeth for a more natural-looking and healthy smile. However, you must take care of your implants to ensure that they last a long time. This includes good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dental professional for maintenance and check-ups. It is also a good idea to avoid smoking as this can cause the implants to fail early. The radiological identification of an implant is done by using three parameters namely, position and shape, implant fixture, and the restorative material radiodensity. This is a useful technique for forensic dental identification and can also be applied to other kinds of replacements such as endodontic and periodontic fixtures.
Dental bonding is a quick, affordable, and straightforward treatment option that can help improve the appearance of chipped, cracked, decayed, or misshapen teeth. The dentist uses a tooth-colored resin material to cover damaged areas of the tooth, allowing them to appear as if they never occurred.
The procedure begins with the dentist selecting a shade of composite resin that closely matches the color of your natural teeth. They then slightly roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid to help the bonding material stick. They then add the tooth-colored resin to the affected area and mold it into place, smoothing and shaping as needed. Finally, they harden the resin using a bright light or laser.
Bonding can be used to repair minor chips and cracks in the teeth, but it is also useful for masking stains that don’t respond well to professional whitening treatments. It can even be used to “fill” small cavities in a way that looks much better than silver fillings.
Another benefit of bonding is that it can be completed in one appointment – making it an effective, time-efficient, and less expensive cosmetic dentistry solution. And, since the dentist doesn’t have to remove as much of the tooth enamel with this treatment, it is also typically non-invasive and doesn’t require any anesthesia.
While bonding is safe and doesn’t present any significant risks, it is possible for a few days following the procedure to experience some tooth sensitivity. If this occurs, over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken as needed to manage discomfort. Additionally, to help extend the lifespan of your bonding, it is important to follow good oral hygiene practices. This means brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once each day, and visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. In addition, you should avoid activities that could damage the resin, such as chewing on ice, biting nails, or using your teeth to open packages.
Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain “covers” that your dentist attaches to the front surfaces of your teeth. They are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can hide mild imperfections like minor tooth discoloration and chips. They also work well to correct crooked teeth, and they can be used to close small gaps between your teeth.
Porcealne veneers look just like your natural teeth, and they’re very durable. You can expect them to last for up to 15 years or more, with proper care. However, they can become stained over time, so your dentist may recommend that you avoid smoking, drink plenty of water, and use mouthwash to prevent staining. You can also take steps to protect your veneers from damage by wearing a mouth guard at night if you grind your teeth, and avoiding chewing on hard objects like ice and boiled sweets.
Some people are hesitant to get porcelain veneers because they think that the process will ruin their natural teeth. However, the truth is that during the process, your dentist will only reshape your natural teeth to help the veneers fit better. This is done by removing some of your natural tooth enamel. This makes your teeth stronger, and it also helps the veneers blend in better with your natural smile.
A major advantage of getting porcelain veneers is that you can see the results almost immediately. This is in contrast to some other cosmetic dental treatments that can take months to finish and require a long recovery period. Porcelain veneers are also less invasive than some other types of tooth coverings. However, they’re not the ideal solution for all patients.
Composite veneers, which are made of tooth-colored composite resin, are a more minimal option for concealing mild cosmetic issues. They can be used to fix cracks, chips, or gaps, and they are more suitable for patients with healthy teeth. However, they are more prone to damage than porcelain veneers, and they may not last as long.
If you’re unsure whether or not porcelain veneers are right for you, contact your cosmetic dentist to learn more about the procedure and your specific cosmetic goals. They will be able to help you determine if the treatment is worthwhile and recommend the best plan of action for achieving your smile goals. They may even suggest a payment plan with a healthcare credit facility so that the cost of your treatment doesn’t hold you back from getting the smile you deserve.
A pearly white smile is often perceived as a symbol of warmth, happiness, good health and vitality. As a result, it can have a dramatic and positive impact on one’s personal and professional life. If a person is dissatisfied with the color of their natural teeth, cosmetic dentistry provides several effective and safe options for whitening.
Teeth whitening is the most common treatment used in cosmetic dentistry, and it can dramatically improve a patient’s smile without any invasive procedures. However, it is important that patients work with an experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Sarah Barker to ensure that the shade of their natural teeth is perfectly matched with the color of any dental work they have. If not, the results may appear unnatural or even artificial.
There are two types of teeth whitening that a cosmetic dentist can use to remove stains from a patient’s teeth. Vital whitening is done on teeth that still have living nerves, and it uses a gel that contains a bleaching agent to lighten the enamel and dentin. A whitening tray is molded to fit the patient’s teeth, and the whitening solution is then held in the tray for 30-60 minutes each treatment session. Depending on the type of staining, a series of treatments may be required.
Non-vital whitening is a less-popular but equally effective method for removing stains from teeth that have been treated with root canals. This technique involves placing a whitening gel on the teeth that are infected, and it can be done with or without a laser. Non-vital whitening can take longer to complete than vital whitening, and it is more expensive.
Another popular option for addressing discoloration is the application of porcelain veneers to the tooth’s surface. A cosmetic dentist can customize the shape and size of these laminates to suit the patient’s smile, and they will bond them onto a patient’s natural teeth with a strong dental adhesive. Like a crown or bridge, veneers can help repair a broken tooth and can enhance the appearance of an imperfect or uneven smile.
