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Cosmetic dentistry, is it for you?

By: Dr. Stephen J


Posted 16 April 2007



First impressions are important in all aspects of life and one of the first things people see and judge a person on when they meet them is their smile. In fact, studies conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) have shown that people with attractive smiles get better jobs, are held in higher regard, normally make a better impression and in many instances make more money. This knowledge has led millions of people to seek out that one thing that might make them more confident and sure of themselves: a great smile. Gaining a great smile is generally done through cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is an ever-growing field and includes procedures such as porcelain veneers and the most requested: tooth whitening. Tooth-colored bonded resin fillings and bonded porcelain fillings and crowns on the back teeth could also fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. There are many other cosmetic dentistry options available, but these are the most common ones, thus, the ones that we will cover.

Porcelain veneers or laminates are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material which are bonded directly to the front of the teeth. Under the direction of a skilled dentist and staff which includes a ceramist, porcelain veneers can create incredibly beautiful and natural smiles. This procedure can be an ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth by masking discolorations, whitening teeth and/or reshaping a smile. If you suffer from any of these ailments, this type of cosmetic dentistry could be for you.

The advantages to having porcelain veneers bonded to your teeth are that they are beautiful and can make any average smile stand out as spectacular, they also add longevity and strength to your teeth. On the other hand, the disadvantages are cost because veneers can be very expensive, and the process requires that some minimal tooth structure be removed.

The other popular procedure, with similar effects, but much less cost, is tooth whitening or bleaching. Tooth whitening can be approached in a number of different ways. It simply depends on your budget and what type of results you desire.

The most cost effective method to tooth whitening is purchasing over-the-counter products. This method will normally produce acceptable results but can take many applications to get to the point that you want. Another method to tooth whitening is a system using trays made from impressions of your teeth. The trays are created in a dentist's office and are used with one of several whitening or bleaching agents. More expensive methods that have more immediate results include in-office systems that usually employ a very bright light to enhance the speed and efficacy of the whitening agents.

Keep in mind that if you have dark colored or excessively grey teeth, whitening may not be an effective option for you. In addition, if you've had a high number of fillings, crowns or other dental procedures of this type on your teeth, then bleaching may not be the right option for you either. This is something that you will need to discuss with your dentist beforehand.

Lastly, colored resin that matches the color of your teeth is a material that can often be bonded to areas of the front teeth. This resin can be shaped and sculpted to repair fractures of the front teeth, close spaces and reshape teeth. Some advantages to this type of cosmetic dentistry are that it can usually be done in one visit, it's conservative, it can look very nice, and it's less expensive than some other options. A few disadvantages are that the life expectancy of this process is somewhat limited (usually five to seven years), and staining and discoloration occurs over time. Additionally, these bonds are much weaker than porcelain and resin bonding has esthetic limitations depending upon the size of the case.

In order to determine if cosmetic dentistry is right for you, the most important thing you can do is consult your dentist. Before having any cosmetic procedure done, it is imperative that you find a dentist that has the skill, experience and aesthetic eye to give you a beautiful smile. You will want to discuss any cosmetic dentistry options with them.

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Dr. J.D. Murray, DDS, is a leading dentist in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Murray specializes in Atlanta Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. Visit us for more information on Southwest Atlanta Smile Center or call (404) 349-7889.

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