Cosmetic Dentistry

Do you want to attain the smile of your dreams? If you wish for a sparkling and dazzling smile, the best way to achieve optimal results is to see a cosmetic dentist. Apart from performing the operations required to give their patients their finest smile, professional cosmetic dentists also take the time to explain why these procedures are essential. Most fundamental procedures include bleaching, bonding, veneers, and contouring. Even though most people seek cosmetic dentistry for its advantages, these procedures can provide non-aesthetic benefits.

Standard Procedures of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has a lot to offer, from making little adjustments to significantly enhancing the appearance of your teeth. Your Shreveport dentist will recommend one or more of these cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Are you looking for a dentist in Shreveport? Here is a rundown of some of the most common dental procedures that cosmetic dentistry has to offer.

Teeth Whitening

In this procedure, the dentist first coats the gums with a protective material before covering the tooth's surface with a hydrogen peroxide-containing whitening gel. After that, a powerful laser beam is shone on your teeth to activate the gel and speed up the bleaching procedure. The duration of the process is usually between 30 to 90 minutes. The number of sessions for this process depends on how heavily stained your teeth are, but typically, it requires 1 to 3 sessions.

Veneers

Your dentist applies veneers to applied to stop the crowding of teeth. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that dentists utilize to improve a tooth's shape. The dentist considers your existing teeth's shape and color when creating the veneers, which he will then bond to the tooth surface with a bonding agent. The veneer may be shaped by drilling. This treatment will require two different sittings and take two to four weeks to complete. These have a lifespan of up to 15-20 years with regular maintenance.

Crowns

The purpose of this procedure is to replace a fractured tooth. Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth to create a porcelain or metal crown. He will then glue the crown to the remaining portion of the tooth. The treatment takes two hours, plus a few follow-up visits, to make the crowns permanent. It will take about three weeks to complete the process.

Teeth Straightening

Who likes smiling with irregular or crooked teeth? Not only do these teeth affect your smile, but they can also shake your confidence.

Your dentist can perform the teeth straightening process in two ways:

  • orthodontics
  • cosmetically

Cosmetic Teeth Straightening

The patient is under local anesthesia during this process. They remove parts of the gums by applying heat and using surgical equipment. The dentist reshapes the gum and drills the teeth to fit the new veneers so they can bond to the teeth. The surgery takes around three hours and usually three appointments.

Orthodontics

The most frequent and popular method of teeth straightening is with orthodontics. The dentist uses metal or tooth-colored braces to fit the teeth throughout the mouth. The wires press and pull on them to straighten the teeth. You may need to wear retainers after this procedure. The entire process takes two to three years to complete.

Bridges

Bridges help close gaps between teeth. The bridge, made of porcelain, is affixed to the teeth on either side of the gap. Drilling holes into the two teeth makes the bridge completely secure. The middle crown resembles a tooth and blends in with the surrounding teeth to improve your teeth’s appearance.

Blank Fillings

These procedures are ideal for teeth with less spacing. Glass shards and resin go into the creation of this filing, which the dentist then cements into the tooth using a bonding agent. These fillings can last for roughly 15 years if you maintain them properly.

Teeth Grafting

Due to gum recession, exposed tooth roots may be sensitive to hot and cold meals and beverages, making the teeth appear longer. In addition, gum recession increases your chance of getting a cavity on the tooth root and may cause bone loss, which will ultimately cause tooth loss. Soft tissue grafts can prevent gum recession and bone loss by enhancing the appearance of the gumline.

Gum Reshaping

Gum contouring can improve a ‘gummy’ smile if the gum line is uneven, or the teeth appear overly short. The dentist removes and reshapes a tiny bit of gum tissue and, if necessary, extra bone tissue to reveal more of the teeth. You can get the procedure for a single tooth to even the gum line and expose multiple teeth for a dazzling smile.

Smile Makeovers

Your dentist may suggest various dental procedures to help you get a beautiful smile. In most cases, he may fix porcelain veneers and crowns to straighten your misaligned teeth and uneven gums. These dental procedures also care for discolored, worn-out, and chipped teeth.

What are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Improvements in dentistry resulted in quicker, painless, and more efficient dental procedures. For example, treatments for gum disease and tooth whitening using lasers are easy and don't require anesthesia, which is used in procedures such as implants. A professional and qualified cosmetic dentist will use cutting-edge lasers to create precise incisions. Thanks to advancements in the industry, particularly in cosmetic operations, obtaining the ideal smile is painless and hassle-free.

Here are some benefits of cosmetic dentistry:

  1. More Self-Confidence: People with oddly shaped or irregular teeth may have self-esteem issues. However, after receiving dental care, they can regain their confidence.
  2. Prevents Dental Damage: Since most dental procedures treat dental damage, you can avoid further treatments such as root canals and implants.
  3. Improve Your Smile: Your smile appears brighter and more beautiful.
  4. Improves Oral Health: Cosmetic dentistry improves oral health and prevents oral decay, which can sometimes be life-threatening.
  5. Affordability: Cosmetic dentistry is affordable and not very costly. You can easily accomplish a beautiful smile without spending much.
  6. Saves Money in the Long Run: You can tackle future issues with preventive dental care. An added benefit is financial savings from avoiding expensive dental operations. For example, dental implants prevent teeth from moving while also preserving bone and gum tissue.

How Long is the Recovery Period?

Recovery time for most cosmetic dentistry procedures is short. Typically, you may return the same day. However, there may be some food limitations for a few days, depending on the type of treatment you receive.

Contact Us

The benefits of cosmetic dentistry go beyond correcting the alignment of the teeth and improving your smile. These procedures can treat various gum issues to improve your oral health and care for your dental issues. At Loud Family Dentistry, we ensure that each patient receives the best dental treatment.

Get in touch with our dental team to learn more about our cosmetic dental procedures and set up a consultation. We will suggest which techniques best suit your requirements. Our cosmetic dentist in Shreveport will assist you in achieving your objectives, whether they involve improving the brightness and whiteness of your smile or completely changing the way you look with veneers and bonding.