The focus of cosmetic dentistry is the improvement of your appearance and smile. Although many cosmetic procedures are purely elective there are some that serve a dual purpose, both cosmetic and restorative. There are a significant number of procedures available, the most common are quite simple and straight forward while others are considerably more complex and time consuming.
Common cosmetic dentistry procedures:
Of the various procedures available in cosmetic dentistry in Downers Grove; dental veneers, teeth whitening and dental implants are by far the most common.
- Dental veneers: Dental veneers are produced in a dental lab; they are custom made to fit exactly on the front surface of teeth that have been previously prepared. Although dental veneers are available in plastic, the best are made from ceramic.Veneers, once fitted, look extremely realistic. Veneers are used on patients that have crooked teeth, teeth which are grossly discolored and teeth that are chipped and cracked. They are also employed to fill noticeable gaps between teeth. The veneers, regardless of the material they are made from are affixed to the teeth using a powerful dental adhesive.
- Teeth whitening: Teeth whitening or bleaching is perhaps the most common cosmetic dental procedure. The procedure can be done either in the dentist’s office or at home although an in-office procedure is far faster as the bleach that is used under supervision is stronger than that used in home kits.
- Dental implants: No matter how healthy your teeth are, if one or more are missing it is hard to have a perfect smile. A dentist that practices cosmetic dentistry in Downers Grove starts the process by implanting a small titanium “peg” directly into the jaw bone. After a period of several months, the peg will have integrated with the bone; the result is a stable platform for a crown. Once completed, an implanted tooth is impossible to detect; it looks, feels and acts just like the natural tooth it replaces.
If you are considering enhancing your smile with cosmetic dentistry it is extremely important that you find a dentist that has the skill and knowledge to undertake the procedure you are interested in.
