Cosmetic DentistScottsdale, AZ
When you face obstacles to a beautiful smile, a cosmetic dentist can help. You should never neglect to visit the dentist for routine semiannual checkups. Restorative care is also essential for problems such as cavities or severe gum disease. You do not have to put off addressing aesthetic concerns either.
Seeing a cosmetic dentist can take crooked, discolored, or damaged teeth and transform them. These issues can be embarrassing or even keep you away from social settings. Thanks to different cosmetic dentistry treatments, your smile can be everything you have always wanted it to be. Your dentist can discuss the procedures that make the most sense for your needs.
Give us a call today so you can get started on your new smile.
Reasons why patients should call a cosmetic dentist
Something such as a chipped tooth or stains on the teeth may not be a serious concern for some people. However, letting these issues persist only increases the chances that they will get worse. Cosmetic flaws can hamper a smile but can also cause pain and discomfort. A person’s ability to chew and speak properly may be in jeopardy. Cosmetic dentists can offer the following:
- Effective solutions that can correct the patient’s concerns
- Durable solutions that last for years
- The right knowledge and training to produce the results people want
- The ability to tell what treatments are right for the patient
- Procedures that include minimal, if any, pain and discomfort
How cosmetic problems show up
It would be nice if people did not have to worry about aesthetic issues with their teeth and gums. It is not uncommon, however, for people of all ages to struggle to maintain an attractive smile. For some people, genetics play a role, making the individual more prone to tooth and gum conditions. Other people bring the issues upon themselves by failing to brush and floss daily or by ignoring dental appointments. Such individuals are likely to have discolored, missing, or fractured teeth.
Accidents are a part of life. Some incidents can affect the appearance of a person’s mouth. It is not uncommon for a cosmetic dentist to treat patients who knocked out a tooth because of a fall or who broke a tooth while playing sports. Car accidents and other blows to the face are also culprits of damaging teeth and hindering smiles.
Knowing what treatment to choose
Fortunately, a cosmetic dentist can determine the most effective procedure to restore a smile. The patient will meet with the dentist to discuss options and what different treatments entail. To confirm a diagnosis and subsequent treatments, the dentist will do an examination. The dentist will also take X-rays and may make impressions of the person’s mouth.
Invisalign®
Many people contend with crooked teeth and look to straighten them. There was a time when traditional metal braces were the only choice to fix a misaligned jaw, bite abnormalities, or uneven teeth. Today, clear aligners such as Invisalign are becoming the method of choice for the cosmetic dentist and the patient. Aligners are trays the patient wears 21 to 22 hours per day. The trays fit over the teeth and put constant pressure on the teeth, moving them into the right locations.
Patients get a new set of trays at each visit. Teens and adults often prefer aligners because the treatment lengths are usually shorter than with braces. The aligners are also practically invisible, so other people will not notice that the individual even has them on. Invisalign trays are also much less likely to rub against the gums and cause sores.
Dental implants
If a person loses a tooth — whether an object knocks it out or whether poor oral hygiene causes its loss — implants are a good way to replace it. Implants are made of titanium, so they are strong and can last a lifetime with good care and maintenance. Getting implants does require undergoing a series of invasive surgeries. The entire process can take several months.
After taking X-rays and impressions, the dentist will first cut into the gum and insert a post deep into the jaw. This serves as the artificial tooth’s root. The patient heals, and the post fuses to the bone. The dentist later attaches a smaller piece, called an abutment, to the post. The last step occurs when the cosmetic dentist puts the natural-looking crown on the abutment. Implants replace missing teeth and also restore the mouth’s full function.
Dental veneers
Biting into something hard, falling to the ground face-first, weakened tooth enamel can lead to chips and cracks in teeth. If these cosmetic flaws are in the front teeth, other people will readily notice how it affects the individual’s smile. A cosmetic dentist may recommend getting a veneer to cover up the physical damage and restore the tooth.
A veneer is a thin porcelain shell that attaches to the front of a tooth. The dentist can make it to be the same shape and color as the natural teeth. To place a veneer on the tooth, the dentist will first reshape the tooth and then remove some of the enamel. After checking the fit of the veneer, the dentist cements it in place.
Teeth whitening
Eating certain foods and drinking some types of beverages can stain teeth over time. Also, poor brushing habits and avoiding trips to the dentist’s office can discolor teeth. Minor discoloration may not be noticeable, but as the stains become more prevalent, the individual may not wish to smile. The good news is that the cosmetic dentist can suggest a few different teeth-whitening methods to remove the stains.
Patients can find in-store products, such as toothpaste and strips. The dentist can also send the patient home with whitening trays that the person will wear overnight for several weeks or months. In-office treatments can be the most effective and long-lasting. In one or two visits to the dentist’s office, the patient can see an improvement of tooth color by several shades.
The new smile awaits
If any issues are plaguing your smile, talk to your cosmetic dentist. The dentist will examine you and treat you with one of these options. You should not have to live with cosmetic concerns any longer. You can soon have a new smile and an appearance you can be happy about.
Contact Us
Sonoran Desert Dentistry is located at
9304 E Raintree Dr. Suite 100
Scottsdale,
AZ
85260