Sarasota Cosmetic Dentistry Introduction

The recent increase in media focus on the smile, with TV shows such as “Extreme makeover”, has created a public awareness about cosmetic dentistry and its accessibility. Cosmetic dentistry refers to a host of dental procedures designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discolored or gaped teeth. From porcelain veneers to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to gain that winning smile they’ve always dreamed of.

Cosmetic dentistry is truly changing the face of today’s oral care to offer patients fabulous, functional smiles. A beautiful smile can make you more self confident, have greater self esteem and drastically improve your personal life and career.

Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings used to be made primarily of gold, amalgam, and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry; they are now composed of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your smile. Many people have their old-fashioned metal fillings replaced with new, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.

Whether you have minor chips and stains or serious snaggletooth, a cosmetic dentist can help you obtain a beautiful, lasting look.

A big plus to cosmetic dentistry is that it is not as expensive as you think. In fact, some cosmetic dental options are covered by insurance. Common cosmetic dental procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, white fillings, single visit cerec restorations, orthodontics, gum reshaping and dental bridges. Many cosmetic dental practices also offer facial rejuvination in the form of a nonsurgical facelift.

Your dentist will explain the many different techniques available in the field of cosmetic. You can choose from the following common cosmetic dentistry options:

Teeth Whitening - stunning smiles with a brilliant sheen are no longer reserved just for celebrities and politicians. Now, numerous teeth whitening options allow you to choose between in-office laser teeth whitening and at-home teeth bleaching.

Porcelain Veneers – a wide scope of ceramic custom-fit, natural-shells applied to the front of the teeth to conceal cracks and chips, overlay gaps, and create a whiter appearance to your smile.

Dental Implants - living with missing teeth can be limiting, inconvenient, and embarrassing. A cosmetic dentistry innovation, dental implants are a restorative and cosmetic dentistry solution for missing teeth. Artificial roots are embedded in your jaw and topped with a prosthetic tooth. Permanent dental implants will bring back the appearance and function of your natural teeth.

Dental Bonding - utilizes a tooth-colored composite applied to the teeth. The bonding material is then polished and shaped to look like the rest of your teeth.

Tooth-Colored Fillings – a composite resin material matched to the natural shade of your teeth. Tooth-colored, non-metal fillings are an attractive alternative to silver amalgam fillings.

Inlays/Onlays –used to repair cracked or damaged teeth for durable and attractive restorations. Inlays and onlays require less tooth reduction than fillings or crowns.

Dental Crowns - caps used to repair badly decayed or damaged teeth. The crown is created from a mold of the original tooth, and then, after the decay is removed, is applied to the tooth.

Invisalign® - custom invisible aligners for unevenly spaced, overlapping, or gapped teeth. Invisalign® is a popular teeth-straightening solution for adults who want to avoid orthodontic braces. You can have straight, beautiful teeth and a comfortable, functional bite.

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile, you are welcome to seek the advice of our experienced cosmetic dentists!

Dental glossary

Cosmetic Dentistry

General Dentistry

High Tech Dentistry

Branded Dentistry

© Copyright 2004 - 2007, Koval&Koval, dental bridges, all rights reserved

The information contained in this Glossary section is provided solely for the convenience of the visitor and does not necessarily reflect or imply the views or services rendered by this office.