Cosmetic dentistry is a type of professional dental care with the goal of improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. Unlike standard dental care, cosmetic dentistry in Airdrie is not essential. However, some treatments can provide restorative benefits. Below are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures and treatments that you can expect from a dental clinic in Airdrie.
Types of dental treatments by cosmetic dentists
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a popular and simple way to improve the look of your smile. After a regular cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, your dentist can apply in-office whitening products that are typically more powerful than ones available over the counter.
Veneers
Dental veneers are individually made to resemble a patient’s natural teeth. The procedure involves removing about half a millimetre of enamel from the tooth surface. Veneers are then bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Veneers are an excellent solution for cracked or damaged enamel and filling gaps between teeth.
Dental implants
Dental implants replace teeth after tooth loss. A professional cosmetic dentist inserts a small titanium screw into the bone socket of the missing tooth. Once the jawbone heals, it grows around the metal post that serves as a secure anchor for the replacement tooth.
While dental implants are one of the most expensive tooth replacement procedures, it is one of the most effective. Unlike dentures, they are permanent with strong support. The replacement teeth look and perform like surrounding natural teeth. Patients can talk, chew, and eat hard foods as normal.
Dental bonding
Dental bonding can repair discoloured, decayed, or damaged teeth using a tooth-coloured putty-like resin. The material is applied to the tooth’s surface, and a dentist sculpts it into shape before hardening it with a high-intensity light. The appearance of a healthy tooth is left in place for a healthier-looking smile.
Dental crown
A dental crown is placed over a decayed or damaged tooth above the gum line. As a dental clinic in Airdrie, we offer this cosmetic procedure to keep a weak tooth from breaking or to cover misshapen or discoloured teeth. What once was typically made from metal, dental crowns now also come in porcelain, resin, or ceramic.
Inlays and Onlays
Also called indirect fillings, inlays and Onlays fill decayed or damaged teeth. Inlays are bonded within the centre of a tooth while an onlay fills one or more parts of the tooth or covers the biting surface. This cosmetic dental procedure is an alternative to crowns and preserves as much of the healthy tooth as possible while preventing further decay.
