Cosmetic Dentistry Calabasas

Cosmetic Dentistry Overview

Cosmetic dentistry is a special field that enhances the appearance of teeth, smiles, and gums. It goes beyond treating dental issues and focuses on enhancing overall appearance.

Whether your teeth are stained, chipped, or misaligned, cosmetic dentistry has solutions to fix these. Since these treatments are also generally not considered essential for maintaining a healthy mouth, dental insurance usually will not pay for them. Therefore, you should be ready for any costs you might have to pay.

A key distinction between cosmetic and other restorative dentistry procedures is their focus on aesthetics rather than functions. Consult a cosmetic dentist if your teeth are generally healthy but want a more attractive smile.

Common Cosmetic Dental Treatments

There are many types of cosmetic dentistry treatments. Each treatment aims to solve different dental issues. Common procedures include:

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a simple and effective method of significantly improving the look of your smile. A recent American Dental Association survey found that 19% of people have had their teeth whitened by a professional, which shows how popular this treatment is.

Teeth can become discolored over time due to aging, tea, coffee, red wine, certain medications, and tobacco use. Some individuals may also have black or brown spots from cavities or poor dental care.

There are multiple options for teeth whitening. You can choose to have the procedure done at a dentist’s office or use at-home kits with your dentist’s guidance. If you whiten your teeth at home, your dentist might give you a strong whitening gel and custom trays. There are also store-bought whitening kits. However, they usually do not provide as noticeable results.

In-office treatments like laser whitening or enamel microabrasion can give quicker and more impressive results than at-home methods. These treatments use a special light and a potent whitening gel to speed the treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that aims to fix misaligned jaws and teeth. It can enhance your smile’s look and function. The American Association of Orthodontists states that around one in three orthodontic patients are grownups.

Orthodontists can use aligners and braces to solve different dental issues, such as:

• Aligners can help straighten uneven teeth, improving your look and making dental hygiene easier
• Orthodontics can reduce gaps between teeth, enhancing both speech and appearance.
• Braces can make more space for overcrowded teeth, helping to avoid future dental issues.

If you have an underbite, crossbite, or overbite, aligners can help fix these bite issues. It can enhance your chewing ability and lower the risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.

Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring, also called odontoplasty or enameloplasty, reshapes teeth to enhance the smile. This simple procedure removes tiny amounts of the tooth enamel. Contouring can smooth out rough edges if you have a cracked or chipped tooth. It can also help with uneven teeth, making them look more symmetrical and balanced.

Porcelain Veneers

Dentists attach thin, customized porcelain veneers to your teeth. These tooth-colored shells offer a flexible solution for various cosmetic issues.

Veneers can hide stains that whitening treatments cannot fix, like cracks, chips, and small cracks in your teeth. When you have gaps between your teeth, porcelain veneers can fill them in and give the appearance of a more even smile. Porcelain veneers can help restore their original size and shape.

Gum Reshaping

When you have an excessive gingival display, it can make the teeth seem short. This procedure reduces this extra tissue, showing more teeth for a better smile. It can also fix an irregular gum line, creating a more symmetrical smile. There are two main methods for gum reshaping:

• Gum lift surgery uses scissors or a scalpel to remove extra gum tissue.
• Laser gum surgery–This technique uses lasers for a more accurate and less invasive approach, reducing bleeding and speeding up recovery

Your dentist evaluates your needs and determines the best method based on the required reshaping.

Onlays and Inlays

Onlays and inlays are customized dental treatments excellent for restoring teeth with mild damage. Dentists use inlays to fill the cusps and grooves of teeth. On the contrary, onlays are more extensive, protecting more than one tooth cusp. They also extend down to protect the outer surface of teeth.

Dentists use composite resin, porcelain, and gold to make onlays and inlays. These options are less invasive than crowns, as they remove less of your real tooth, which helps it stay strong. Dentists make onlays and inlays durable for more than 20 years, offering more strength than typical fillings. They also give a natural look that fits with your other teeth.

Dental Implants

Tooth implants are customized tooth roots that hold substitute teeth. They are a durable solution for filling spaces left by missing teeth, improving function, appearance, and self-esteem.

A tooth implant has several components. The main parts are tiny titanium screws that your dentist surgically inserts into your jawbone. After some time, these screws fuse with the jawbone, forming a solid foundation. Next is the abutment, which connects to the healed implant. Then, the visible part is the restoration, which can be a custom crown, denture, or bridge that attaches to the abutment.

Implants present many benefits beyond just enhancing your smile. Compared to removable dentures, they provide stability; your substitute teeth stay in place, letting you speak and eat comfortably.

Dentists create implant restorations to mimic your real teeth closely. They also help safeguard your jawbone; losing teeth can cause bone loss over time. Implants act like tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and preserving the facial structure. With the appropriate care, they can last a long time. They also support better oral health since they are straightforward to clean.

Dental Bonding

Tooth bonding uses a tooth-colored resin to correct minor flaws and improve your smile. It is a fast and cost-effective way to repair cracks, chips, or tiny gaps. This material also covers stains that whitening treatments cannot fix.

The dental bonding process is straightforward. First, your dental practitioner may roughen the tooth surface to help the tooth bonding material stick better. Then, they apply the resin in different coats, molding it to fix the imperfections and match the other teeth.

Once the shape is correct, your dentist will use a special light to harden the resin and secure it to your tooth. Finally, your dentist will polish the area to ensure it blends seamlessly with your natural tooth for a great look.

Crowns

Tooth crowns or caps are tooth-shaped covers encasing your real tooth. They help renew the appearance, strength, and function of damaged teeth. When decay severely weakens a tooth, and a filling is insufficient, a crown fully restores it and protects the remaining structure. After a root canal, a crown also helps protect the weak tooth structure.

Crowns provide a protective cover for fractured or damaged teeth, keeping them intact and letting you chew well again. They are also essential in dental implants, as the visible substitute tooth connects to the implant post. Moreover, dental crowns can enhance the look of your teeth by reshaping them or improving their overall appearance.

Dental crowns are not uniform; they are available in various materials to meet different needs and tastes. Metal crowns, usually made from gold or other alloys, are powerful and long-lasting, but their color may not be ideal for teeth that are easily seen.

Porcelain crowns have a sturdy metal base and a porcelain layer that better matches your real teeth. If looks are your primary concern, all-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns are the best choice. They are also suitable for those suffering from metal allergies.

Crown Lengthening

You might need crown lengthening if your teeth seem short or small, and your gums are noticeable when you smile. This procedure removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of your tooth’s crown. It can help with a gummy smile when too much gum shows.

While the primary goal of crown lengthening is to create a broader, more natural-looking smile, it can also be necessary for uneven gum lines. Your dentist might suggest this procedure if you need dental crowns to support a dental bridge, but only if there is enough tooth surface to hold the crown or bridge.

Common reasons why a tooth or teeth may not have enough surface area for dental crowns include:

• The gum line is too low, making the tooth more visible.
• The tooth has a crack near the gum line.
• The tooth structure is weak.
• A previous filling or crown has come off, leading to decay.

Enamel Abrasion

Enamel abrasion is a unique method for removing surface stains. This process uses abrasive and acidic substances to scrub away stains, blemishes, and discoloration from the teeth. The results are often satisfying and can last a long time.

This cosmetic treatment is painless and mainly focuses on enamel stains. It may not work well for internal stains caused by medication or injury. These are just a few popular cosmetic treatments. If you are unhappy with your smile, your dentist can conduct tests to identify your needs and suggest the best treatments. Your dentist will also explain the benefits you can expect.

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

Many people pursue cosmetic dentistry for aesthetic reasons. However, these treatments can provide more than just a beautiful smile. Here are some advantages you can enjoy:

Improved Health

Cosmetic dental procedures can make you look good and improve oral and overall health.

For example, straightening your teeth with braces or clear aligners enhances your smile and oral health. When teeth are misaligned, they are harder to clean, which raises the chances of cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues.

These treatments also help with oral hygiene. Straight teeth are simpler to brush and floss, which lowers the risk of plaque buildup and decay. Additionally, proper alignment prevents excessive wear by ensuring an even bite, reducing pressure on certain teeth that could cause wear, chipping, or cracking.

Boosts Your Confidence

Treatments like whitening can help you fix discolored teeth. With whiter and brighter teeth, you will feel better about yourself. It can make meeting new people, making friends, or even going to job interviews easier.

Gives You a Younger Smile

Whitening and veneers are popular cosmetic treatments that can help you achieve a brighter, younger smile. If your teeth seem short or aged, crowns, bonding, or veneers can help lengthen them and enhance your youthful look.

Offers Lasting Results

Cosmetic dentistry offers results that can be noticeable immediately and last over time. Some treatments can maintain your beautiful smile for years without follow-up care. You can insult your dentist for recommendations on easy-to-maintain options.

Improves Function and Comfort

Bite problems like overbites, underbites, or crossbites can cause health issues if not addressed. Cosmetic treatments can fix these problems, enhancing both function and comfort by:

• Reducing jaw pain and TMJ issues—Fixing your bite can relieve jaw tension, lowering the chances of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
• Improves chewing and speech—A well-aligned bite helps you chew food better and improve your speech.

Treatments are Customizable

Cosmetic dentistry treatments are tailored to meet each person’s preferences and requirements. A skilled cosmetic dentist will take the time to understand your goals, dental background, facial structure, and what you hope to achieve. They will create a treatment plan that is uniquely yours.

This customized approach ensures you achieve the best results that enhance your appearance. Whether you seek minor adjustments or a complete smile transformation, cosmetic dentistry provides various options to help you meet your objectives.

Advancements in dental technology have also introduced digital smile design procedures. This technology allows dentists to present a virtual preview of your future smile before any procedures begin.

Things to Consider Before Undergoing a Cosmetic Dental Procedure

Here are important points to consider before scheduling your appointment:

The Success of Treatments Relies on Your Dentist’s Skill

As mentioned, cosmetic dentistry combines art and science. The difference lies in the dentist’s skill. You should research and compare various specialists based on their experience, patient satisfaction, and the quality of their before-and-after work.

Effective Communication with Your Dentist is Essential

While finding a great cosmetic dentist is essential, expressing your needs is just as vital for a successful smile makeover. Everyone has a different view of what a beautiful smile looks like. Share your goals and expectations with your dentist before starting any treatment.

A Stunning Smile Looks Natural

Everyone has different skin tones and facial shapes, meaning their teeth vary in size, shape, and color. This reason is why skilled cosmetic dentists avoid a one-size-fits-all method. You do not want to spend money on a smile makeover that looks artificial.

For example, large teeth on a woman with a small face would not look right. Similarly, small teeth on a big man would not be visually appealing.

Importance of Smile Makeover Previews

Choosing the right options for your smile makeover can be challenging. That is why you should see a preview of the results. For example, if your treatment involves porcelain veneers, your dentist should let you try different sizes, colors, and shapes.

Your dentist will clearly show you how your smile and face will appear after the makeover. Using advanced 3D imaging technology, they can provide digital previews for almost any cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Your Choice of Dental Lab Matters for Cosmetic Dentistry

In many cosmetic procedures, the results depend on the teamwork between cosmetic dentists and dental lab technicians. When looking for the best professionals, you should check the reputation of the dental labs they use. Dentists who choose low-cost labs abroad may not deliver the highest quality results.

Ongoing Care is Essential

Maintaining your smile makeover is crucial. If you go for teeth whitening, do not overlook the need for touch-ups. This care applies to all treatments, including:

• Dental implants
• Crowns
• Porcelain veneers

After your procedure, your dentist will provide a detailed list of aftercare instructions. Following these guidelines closely will help you keep your stunning smile for as long as possible.

Find a Family Dentist Near Me

Cosmetic dentistry provides many ways to improve your smile’s appearance. You can opt for treatments like crowns, teeth whitening, implants, or Invisalign. If you are searching for a cosmetic dentist, you can ask for recommendations from friends or look online. Make sure to read reviews and check their credentials before scheduling an appointment.

We at Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry have a variety of cosmetic dental treatments to help you acquire the smile you have always wanted. Our expert team is committed to offering you quality care and tailored treatment plans.