What Are the Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?

Cosmetic dentistry is about beauty and appearance. It refers to any dental treatment that seeks to improve the appearance of your teeth and gums (not necessarily functionality).

While many cosmetic dental treatments are purely for appearance, there are a few that provide restorative functions. In this post, we list some of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that you can choose.

1. Cosmetic bonding

When you have minor dental cracks, chips, and fractures, our dentist in San Jose, CA, may recommend dental bonding. Other conditions that can benefit include moderate dental decay, spaces between your teeth, and moderately discolored teeth.

Dental bonding is the use of a tooth-colored resin material applied to the teeth to change the appearance. This cosmetic dental procedure is done in one dental visit.

Little preparation is needed before the teeth are bonded, rarely does the dentist give anesthesia unless you have decay. Your teeth are roughed and conditioned in preparation for the bonding process.

Next, the resin is applied to the teeth and hardened using a bright light. The teeth are then polished for the final look. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for the process to be complete.

2. Veneers

Dental veneers are custom-made thin shells applied on the enamel to change the shape, size, color, and appearance of the teeth. The dentist can recommend dental veneers if you have severe teeth discoloration, worn down teeth, chipped, broken, uneven and misaligned teeth.

Fixing the veneers requires two dental visits. The dentist will first prepare your teeth by reshaping the enamel to make room for the veneers. The temporary veneers will be used to cover the teeth as you wait for the permanent ones. After two to four weeks you will come back for the dentist to replace the veneers. The permanent veneers are cemented in place. They are durable and can last for a decade with proper care.

3. Teeth whitening

Factors like age, lifestyle, diet, and medication can affect the shade of the teeth. Although we have different cosmetic teeth whitening products available, we recommend getting professional teeth whitening. Our dentist can take the necessary precaution to protect your gums and also reduce tooth sensitivity.

4. Dental implants

After tooth extraction, you will have unsightly spaces in between. These missing teeth not only affect your appearance but will also affect your dental structure. Replacing the lost teeth is paramount to your dental health. Fortunately, with dental implants, you can restore them.

Dental implants are metal posts that are surgically fixed on the jaw bone to anchor the artificial teeth. These implants act as roots, and therefore, resemble your teeth in function and appearance. You, however, need to have sufficient bone support for the implants to be fixed.

You can also opt for dental bridges. They are also a restorative dental treatment that can help replace your missing teeth. They do not require a surgical procedure to be fixed, but your enamel will be reshaped.

5. Dental crowns

Dental crowns are caps placed over the teeth to restore the size, strength, and improve the appearance of the teeth. These caps are cemented in place, and they encase the entire tooth. Dental crowns are used to protect weakly and worn down teeth and cover misshapen and discolored teeth. Several types of crowns are available, from porcelain to ceramic. The dentist will help you choose a suitable option based on your dental condition.

Crowns need at least two dental visits to be fixed, and they can last for 15 years with proper care.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Neeshat S. Khan, DDS, for more information on cosmetic dentistry in San Jose and the different services we offer. Our dentist will assess and examine your teeth and recommend a suitable cosmetic procedure.