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Cosmetic dentistry procedures
Added: (Thu Jul 02 2009)
Cosmetic dentistry is not just the practice of making teeth look beautiful. More than that, it also involves giving, or in some cases, giving back people their confidence and self-esteem. This is why cosmetic dentists provide restorative procedures aside from enhancement methods.
For people seeking help with their teeth problems, here are some of the restorative procedures that cosmetic dentists offer:
Dental Veneers
When teeth crack, chip off, or get permanently and severely stained, they can be reshaped and covered by dental veneers. This particular procedure involves making a special mold from the teeth impressions and then bonding this custom made mold into the reshaped tooth or teeth. According to a los angeles cosmetic dentist, it may sound like a difficult procedure but it is actually a very common one.
Dental Implants
A relatively recent practice in los angeles cosmetic dentistry, dental implant provides a new option to replace tooth roots. In this procedure, the cosmetic dentist places a tooth root implant, a small titanium post, into the bone socket of the absent tooth and allows 5 – 11 weeks for the jawbone to grow around the tooth root implant in order to secure it into the jaw. Afterwards, an abutment (a tiny connector post) is attached to securely clutch the new tooth - a dental crown that matches the color of natural teeth for a natural look. This procedure provides patients replacement teeth that feel natural, look natural and function naturally.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges literally join the opening caused by one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth, which are placed on either side of the gap, with a fake tooth in between. These fake teeth can be made of alloys, gold, silver, porcelain or a mixture of all of the above. Dental bridges are supported by your natural teeth or can also be supported by dental implants.
Dentures
Categorized into either complete or partial, dentures are devices used to replace missing teeth. Unlike dental bridges, however, dentures are supported not by adjacent teeth but by the gums of the patient. A mold that resembles the whole assembly of teeth and gum are clipped on to the oral cavity to replace the missing teeth altogether. They’re very popular especially before the rise of other dental procedures, even though most los angeles cosmetic dentists do not favor them. This is because dentures are considered by many dentists as the last and the most desperate method to restore teeth.