From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth.
Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, veneers, crowns and reshaping and contouring. These improvements are not only cosmetic, but improve oral problems such as your bite problems. I will give you a little detail about these procedures in the current and next issues of the magazines.
Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while others just want a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration can also be caused by your genetic make-up or by simply getting older.
Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the office or under dental supervision, at home. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient and cost saving. Treatment begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening gel is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. In-office whitening may call for a one-time visit to your dentist’s office to get everything done.
White bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, white bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. White bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. I will continue the topic on cosmetic dental procedures in the next issue of the magazine.
For more information, please call Dr. Sun at 661-799-8800 or visit www.DrSunDDS.com .