Cosmetic Dentistry - An Overview of The Leading Methodologies http://bit.ly/pElImA

Cosmetic Dentistry describes a group of techniques and procedures used to improve a person's teeth, smile and at last confidence. It is widely recognized the "smile make-over" that results can noticeably improve a person's appearance leading to a positive approach to life, both socially and in the workplace environment.

A cosmetic dental practitioner can use countless methodologies, solely or in combination to significantly improve the teeth, gums and grin. These procedures range all the way from simple tooth bleaching to complicated multiple tooth implants and full mouth reconstruction. No longer is the dental art restricted to easy fillings and extractions!

The following are the key cosmetic dentistry systems used today:

Tooth Whitening:

"said to be one of the most highly accessible and reasonable methodologies, tooth whitening (or bleaching) comes in a selection of different forms. Typically this procedure implies the utilization of a special laser or halogen lamp and/or application of a bleaching gel of varied strengths. One or two branded treatments are available including the popular "Biolase", "Zoom" and "Britesmile".

Ideal results can be achieved quite quickly and the technique is near painless, non-invasive and cost-effective. Tooth whitening is the most well-liked cosmetic dental procedure currently available.

Dental Implants:

"a complicated process, dental implants involve implanting a titanium (or similar) rod into the jawbone to act as a stable base for a synthetic tooth or to provide support for bridges, crowns or dentures. Titanium is usually used as the anchor rod as it integrates very simply with the encircling bone and tissue with only very minor risk of rejection. Full mouth reconstructions often employ multiple tooth implants with other strategies e.g. Bonding.

Dental implants can last 15 years or longer but are quite an expensive option at up to $2500 per tooth. Dental implantology is also a very specialized strategy so care must be brought to select a competent, absolutely qualified practitioner.

Dental Veneers:

"a dental veneer is a thin covering or "shell" built to fit the outside of the original tooth to hide shape, colour and positional issues and defects. Part of the original tooth exterior is mostly removed to make way for the new veneer so that the strategy is partly aggressive. Following 1st measuring and preparation of the tooth surface the veneer is "glued" into place. Veneers are usually made of porcelain, ceramic or composite materials and more recently have been made more hard-wearing than other versions.

The veneering procedure is mostly done over two visits to the dentist with "temporary" veneers being fitted between visits. Veneering is usually selected as the handling of choice by acting pros and those in the media focus as dramatic results can be achieved quickly and cost effectively.

Dental Crowns:

"crowns are protective covers, made of porcelain or ceramic which fit over the current tooth to hide defects e.g. Cracks and blackening. At first the tooth is shaped to receive the crown with the patient under local pain-killer. An impression of the tooth is then taken and utilised by the dental laboratory to form the color-matched crown. During the manufacturing process, the patient will be fitted with transient crowns, typically for around 2 - 3 weeks. On the second trip to the dentist, the crowns are bonded into place.

Crowns are a semi-permanent solution but can be quite pricey, frequently surpassing $750 per tooth. A good cosmetic dental surgeon will be able to fit crowns which are almost the same as existing teeth and used in association with other methodologies e.g. Implants, form the starting point for full mouth reconstructions.

Dental Bridges:

"where a tooth has been lost, a dental bridge may be employed to "bridge" the gap between the 2 remaining diagonally opposite teeth. A custom structure is created in the dental lab incorporating a hollow crown to support the broken tooth. This bridge structure is then bonded to the diagonally opposite teeth, tidily filling the opening form where the first tooth was lost. Similarly to crowns and veneers, the replacement bridge tooth will be color matched to the remainder of the teeth.

Bridging is favored because it is usually a permanent solution and is less invasive than implantology. It's also less voluminous than an equivalent denture.

Dental Orthodontics:

"This is a specialised branch of dentistry that deals with moving or realigning teeth to. Improve appearance. This usually involves the wearing of an appliance or "brace" which carefully applies pressure to the teeth to move them to the correct position. Orthodontics is sometimes performed in the teen years as the mouth and jaw develops but more adults are selecting this option to realign their teeth "however the method can take longer for an adult.

The first part of the orthodontics process involves an exhaustive examination of the mouth to appraise the repositioning required and any other associated medical factors. Following this, a call will be made as to which of the many sorts of brace material and configuration to use. Some braces are detachable and some fixed in place for a period of several months "the cosmetic dentist will appraise which is the best form to use for the treatment to be carried out.

More lately, new "invisible" braces have been developed e.g. "Invisalign" which perform the same job as more traditional braces but are less aggressive and more at ease to wear.

The outcome of orthodontics are usually permanent but the process can be quite pricey because of the multiple consultations and reviews with the cosmetic dental surgeon. Additionally, patience is necessary as the process can be lengthy!

Some recent dental survey findings:

- 74% of people believe they have unpleasant teeth

- 68% of folk are embarrassed about their grin in pictures

- 45% of people make judgments about others by the outward appearance of their grin

- 70% of folk think an engaging smile helps romantically

The techniques detailed above can create the ideal "smile refresh" and go a long way to addressing these concerns. No longer is the art of dentistry restricted to fillings and extractions!


Cosmetic Dentistry Costa Rica is a firm specializing in the art of the grin and in Costa Rica dental Implants for instance can see savings of up to 70% even if factoring in airfare.