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A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of
a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer
have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen
teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile
with confidence.
Even
the most subtle change in your smile can make a
dramatic difference in the way you look and feel
about yourself. Talk to your dentist about the options
most suitable for you, what your expectations are
and the dental fees involved. Some options are:
Veneers
are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the
front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials,
veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and
teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained,
poorly shaped or slightly crooked. There are three
types of preparation for Veneers:
1. No Prep Veneers - Veneers that are made
with little or no removal of tooth structure and
are often prepared without shots. Veneers of this
type are usually reversible (can be removed with
little damage to the original tooth structure) and
provide the least chance of sensitivity.
2. Minimal Prep Veneers - Veneers that are
prepared with some contouring of the tooth structure,
and may or may not require shots
3. Regular Veneers - Veneers in which tooth
structure is remove to provide the optimal shape
and size,
and require that the patient is anesthetized.
Often Veneers are prepared using a combination of
the above preparation types.
Tooth
whitening ( bleaching) brightens teeth that
are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done
completely in the dental office or the dentist may
dispense a system for you to use at home.
Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth
that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have
spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored
materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.
Cosmetic Contouring involves modifying teeth
to improve their appearance by removing or contouring
enamel. The process, which often is combined with
bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the
results can be seen immediately.
Porcelain Crowns are a good way to cover
teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. Crowns
can cover and support a tooth with a large filling
when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used
to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking
or restore one that's already broken. It's also
used to cover a dental implant.
Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics
may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do
not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should
see a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer
you to an orthodontist.