Without any past experience or study knowledge, it’s impossible to

know all the different cosmetic options we have available to us.
Good thing for you! The experts we have here at Southridge Dental
can answer any questions you may have about cosmetic dentistry
techniques and how they’re used to improve your smile.

Depending on the current and sometimes even the past conditions
of our teeth will dictate what options we will really have to our
disposal. This fact mixed in with what our desired dental outcome
is, truly determines what procedure(s) dental professionals will use.
Smile and structural teeth enhancement can have a dramatic result
on our overall appearance; even the smallest step can boost our
confidence, self-esteem, and make us actually WANT to smile MORE!
Fortunately, due to the constant drive to become better dental
professionals, modern advancements in cosmetic dentistry have
unlocked unbelievable possibilities.

There is no longer any reason to be self-conscious about your smile!
Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever so as a result
cosmetic dental procedures can now range from basic noninvasive
produces to careful procedures. And due overall teeth whitening
becoming a staple of teeth maintenance, anything is possible from
color correction to replacing missing teeth, shaping our teeth to
improve our overall bite, Invisalign to straighten our smiles and
everything in between.

If you’re considering a cosmetic treatment, there are a few
questions you can ask your dental health professional before
deciding if a particular procedure is right for you:

· What will I look like after the changes?
· What should I expect through the course of the
treatment(s)?
· What type of maintenance will be required?

Types of Cosmetic Services

· Teeth Whitening and Bleaching

Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used in
cosmetic dentistry to whiten teeth. Some people have a cosmetic
dentist bleach their teeth to make stains disappear, while others
just want a whiter shade.

Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by
medication, coffee, tea, and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be
hereditary or due simply to getting older.

Bleaching can be performed in the office or, under dental
supervision, at home. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home
because it is more convenient. Treatment begins when your dentist
creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of
whitening solution is used and that your teeth are properly
exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks,
depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in
the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to
your dentist.

· Dental Crowns

Crowns, also known as caps, cover a tooth to restore it to its normal
shape and appearance. Due to their cost, they are used in cases
where other procedures will not be effective. Crowns have the
longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations but are the most
time-consuming.

· Dental Implants

Dental implants replace the roots of lost teeth. A dental implant–
along with a crown built on the implant–replaces a missing tooth or
teeth and helps to maintain the bone support of the adjacent teeth,
extending their lifespan. Dental implants are considered a
permanent service and can be expected, in most cases, to last
many, many years. They are the optimum choice for replacing
missing teeth. A tooth replaced with a dental implant should be
imperceptible from a natural tooth.

· Dental Bridges

Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, dental bridges are used to
replace missing teeth with artificial teeth. Bridges can be made of
gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination. Dentists anchor them onto
surrounding teeth after preparing them for crowns. Then a false
tooth joins to the crowns and the bridge is cemented onto the
prepared teeth. Only your dentist can remove a fixed bridge.

The success of your bridge depends upon its foundation. So,
remember that oral hygiene to keep remaining teeth healthy is
particularly important if you wear a bridge.

· Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front
teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used
on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped, discolored, oddly
shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Little or no anesthesia is
needed. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems as
bonding.

This treatment is an alternative to crowns, which are more
expensive. The procedure requires your cosmetic dentist to take an
impression of your tooth. Before the custom-made veneer is
cemented directly onto the tooth, your dentist will lightly buff the
tooth to compensate for the added thickness of the veneer. Once
the cement is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is
used to harden it. Porcelain veneers require more than one visit
because they are fabricated in a laboratory. Veneers have a longer
life expectancy and color stability than bonding.

· Dentures

While dentures have been considered a tried-and-true method for
tooth replacement for years, they come with their own set of issues.
The main problem is that dentures rest on teeth and gums for
stability, which can encourage bone loss, tooth decay, and
periodontal disease.

However, dentures can be relined every few years to compensate
for bone loss and any compromised facial integrity. There have been
modern advances in dentures, as there have been in many other
areas of dental healthcare, and an overdenture retained by implants
may be an option. Overdentures are a combination of traditional
dentures and the newer science of dental implants to prevent the
bone loss that could result from dentures alone.

Need a Dentist in Kennewick?
With our high level of commitment to giving you and all our patients
the best dental experience of their lives!

And when you’re ready to improve your dental health and don’t
have a reliable, skilled, and kind team in your corner, Contact the
Southridge Dental office today at 509.581.0081 to learn more and
get the support you deserve