Cosmetic dentistry is used every day in dental offices across the world. Most people only associate cosmetic dentistry with teeth whitening or those Hollywood style smile makeovers. Cosmetic dentistry can be used to make major changes to your smile but also very small ones that can improve your smile dramatically. Below you will find some common uses for cosmetic dentistry procedures. What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do For Your Smile? -Chipped Tooth. A chipped tooth can happen from tooth decay, trauma to the mouth, or even biting into a hard roll on a sandwich. To repair a minor chip in your tooth, your dentist will use dental bonding. Dental bonding uses a tooth colored material to blend in with your existing tooth and restore form and function again. If the repair is much larger a porcelain veneer or porcelain crown will be recommended as they will last longer and need less care when doing day to day activities. -Fractured Teeth. If a tooth is fractured, it must first be determined what the extent of the fracture is. If the fracture is superficial and does not enter the nerve of the tooth a porcelain crown will be recommended as it will provide the support and strength necessary to restore form and function. However, if the fracture extends into the nerve of the tooth or even under the gum line more extensive treatment will be needed. If the tooth can be saved root canal therapy will be recommended followed by a porcelain crown. If the fracture makes it unrestorable, a tooth extraction will be recommended. -Yellow Or Stained Teeth. Teeth whitening is usually the answer to this problem. Teeth whitening can be done in office or at home. It is very effective in brightening most people’s smiles quickly and easily. -Crooked Teeth. Whether this is a single tooth out of line or multiple teeth, cosmetic dentistry can fix the issue. You can use traditional type orthodontics or “instant” orthodontics. Instant orthodontics is the use of porcelain veneers to correct slight imperfections in your smile. Traditional orthodontics can move teeth that are more out of line. With newer techniques like six month smiles, orthodontic movement can be completed in as little as 6 months. -Replacing Old Dental Restorations. Over time, even the best dental restorations will wear down and even discolor. Replacing these older dental restorations can rejuvenate your smile and make it look whiter and brighter. -Close Gaps Between Teeth. Many of us have spaces between our teeth and do not want to go through the time and effort of traditional orthodontics. Cosmetic dentistry can close these gaps using dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and even porcelain crowns. -Irregularly Shaped Teeth. Sometimes it is a single tooth that seems out of place from the others. This could be from wear over time or just having a tooth slightly out of place. Cosmetic dentistry can restore those teeth to look and function just like the other teeth giving you a winning smile. Cosmetic Dentistry Conclusion We all have an ideal smile in our heads. For some it is the smile we are born with while others are looking to improve upon what they were given. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry can keep our smiles looking great and also improve upon them if desired. © 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist