Options for Whiter Teeth
Cosmetic Dentistry is a broad term that includes a variety of dental procedures. Anything that changes the appearance of your teeth and smile can be considered cosmetic. The procedures which come to mind most frequently are whitening or bleaching of the teeth, tooth contouring, placement of dental veneers and the placement of crowns. Whitening of the teeth simply changes the color of the teeth without changing the shape of the teeth. Slight modifications to the shape of individual teeth can be done by selectively grinding small areas of a tooth to change its shape. If major changes to the shape are needed they will need to be done by adding a veneer to the tooth which a thin layer of acrylic or porcelain which is attached to the front surface of the tooth being changed. Depending upon the nature of the change the tooth may require grinding of the tooth to create space for the veneer and to permit proper shaping of the tooth without creating an excessive bulk of material. When more substantial changes in appearance are needed it is possible that a crown or “cap” will need to be constructed. Crowns will also need to be constructed if missing teeth are involved in the anticipated change in appearance. While each of the techniques can be effectively used to accomplish cosmetic changes each also has limitations so far as when they can be used successfully. Consultation with a dentist who has experience in the field of Cosmetic Dentistry is the only way to determine, with any degree of certainty, which procedure is best for a individual case
