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Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

PROFESSIONAL COSMETIC DENTISTRY SERVICES IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

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WHAT IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

While your teeth must be healthy and in good condition to receive cosmetic procedures, cosmetic dentistry focuses less on the health of your teeth and more on their appearance.

These procedures address the color of your teeth, chips or cracks in your teeth or the alignment of your teeth.

MAIN TYPES OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY

There are five main types of cosmetic procedures that all treatments fall under. You may need just one procedure or a mix of different treatments in order to obtain the look you want.

TEETH WHITENING

This is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure. Many things can affect the color of your teeth, including food and drink, lifestyle, medications and age.

Dentists use a variety of whitening methods, from bleaching to special lights, to provide fast, clinical-strength whitening. These methods usually work best after all of the tartar and plaque have been cleaned off your teeth. These treatments can restore your teeth to their original appearance and can even reach a shade or two whiter.

Other, at-home methods like trays or toothpastes can also be used, but these can take two to four weeks to achieve the same result.

IMPLANTS

If you have lost one or more teeth, then implants are a good solution to consider. They are the closest option to your natural teeth available.

A screw is placed into your jawbone, with the top of the screw showing above your gums. An artificial tooth is then placed on the top of the screw. The implant is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth and provides all of the support your jaw, your gums and your other teeth need in order to stay in place and intact and function as they should.

Implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth.

VENEERS

A veneer is a thin material, usually made of porcelain, that is placed onto the front of the tooth, much like the way an artificial fingernail is placed on a natural nail.

Each veneer is specifically made to resemble the surrounding natural teeth and, when done well, look remarkably realistic. Veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth when the teeth are crooked, cracked or chipped or when there are large gaps in between individual teeth.

INLAYS AND ONLAYS

Inlays and onlays are also known as indirect fillings and are used when a tooth needs extra strength and support, to restore the shape of the tooth or to help prevent any decay occurring in the tooth. Inlays and onlays must be made in a laboratory. They are made of composite resin and are permanently placed on the teeth using dental cement.

COMPOSITE BONDING

Bonding is a tooth-colored bonding material that acts as tooth enamel would. After the dentist drills out any decayed areas of a tooth, bonding is used to cover and protect the hole. It is sculpted into the correct shape and resembles a natural tooth.

This can be used with tooth decay, chipped and cracked teeth or teeth with worn edges and is one of the least expensive cosmetic procedures.

CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Call Affordable Dental to discuss your many cosmetic treatment options. Let us help you achieve the bright, confident smile you deserve.

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