Cosmetic Dentistry

You may feel self-conscious about your teeth if they are chipped, discoloured, deformed, crooked or missing. You may feel the need to cover your mouth every time you talk or laugh, or tend not to smile with your teeth in photos. Apart from affecting your self-confidence, having damaged teeth can also affect your oral health, particularly if chipped teeth are left untreated.

Cosmetic dentistry refers to a range of dental procedures used to restore damaged teeth or replace missing teeth. Possible treatment options for each scenario are listed below, however not all options may be right for you.

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Composite Bonding

One of the simplest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures available. Composite bonding is when the dental material known as a composite resin is shaped and moulded on your teeth to give you a straight white smile. It's mainly used to treat minor chipped teeth, gaps, and discoloured teeth. The procedure is fast and simple and can be completed in one dental appointment.

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Dental Veneers‍

Dental veneers are custom-made from porcelain or resin composite and are designed to change the colour, shape, size, or length of your teeth's appearance once bonded in place. You can either receive veneers made from porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain Veneers are created in a dental laboratory from a mould of your teeth. Composite resin veneers are bonded and sculpted on your teeth in the dental office, usually in a single visit. Although porcelain is the more expensive option, these veneers tend to last as long as 20 years with minimal maintenance. They are best at resisting stains and mimicking the light reflecting capabilities of natural teeth.

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Smile Makeover

A smile makeover is when you receive one or more cosmetic procedures to improve your smile. A combination of veneers, implants, whitening, or any of the other procedures listed above would be considered a smile makeover.

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Frequently Asked Questions - Cosmetic Dentistry

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Discoloration of the teeth can stem from many things. Poor dental hygiene, coffee or tobacco stains, side effects from certain medications, and poor genetics. However, the most frequent cause of tooth discoloration is aging. This is 100% normal. As you age your tooth enamel weakens and your teeth begin to take on a duller appearance. Teeth whitening and veneers are the solutions for this common problem.

Does Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. If discoloration is too severe teeth whitening will have minimal effect. Instead, a person with extreme discoloration should opt for veneers or composite bonding to regain their natural white smile.

Are Veneers My Only Option If I Want To Improve My Smile?

No. There are many options available. Teeth whitening, crowns, composite bonding, etc. The first step is to get an examination by your dentist to determine what procedure best fits your situation.

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