Open any magazine, flip on the television or study the big screen and you will see countless bright, white, award-winning smiles looking back at you. But perfect smiles are not reserved just for celebrities and wealthy individuals; you may even regard your co-workers’, friends’, family members or neighbors’ grins with envy. Cosmetic dentistry has made it possible for anyone to gain a beautiful, healthy smile.

What constitutes an award-winning smile?

1. Everyone has heard the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Likewise, everyone has their own opinions of what characteristics a “perfect” smile would have. Cosmetic dentists must work with patients to understand each individual’s expectations in order to determine which procedures will have the desired effect.

Cosmetic dentists are artisans as well as technologically-savvy doctors. The most experienced dentists, such as those who have post-graduate training from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), take this artistry to a whole new level. In order to create outstanding smiles, these dentists evaluate everything from the patient’s current dental health and condition of the teeth to the patient’s facial features. The goal is to give each patient a natural-looking smile that complements the patient’s facial structure.

What procedures can create award-winning smiles?

There are dozens of dental procedures that skilled cosmetic dentists use to help restore damaged or imperfect teeth. Some of the most common procedures include:

• Porcelain veneers: Thin shells bonded to the front of imperfect teeth
• Porcelain crowns: Caps placed over existing severely damaged teeth
• Dental bonding: Tooth-like resin that is shaped to look and act like normal teeth
• Tooth whitening: Professional in-office or at-home treatments
• Porcelain fillings: A natural-looking alternative to silver amalgam fillings
• Tooth contouring: Techniques to reshape teeth that are too long, thin, pointy, uneven, etc.
• Gum contouring: Removal of gum tissue to create better gum/teeth harmony
• Dental Implants: Artificial replacements for damaged or missing tooth roots which act as anchors for replacement teeth or dentures
• Dentures and partials: Removable replacement teeth

Why is a “perfect” smile so desirable?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry references research recently conducted by Beall Research & Training of Chicago which stated “a new smile will make you appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy to others.” While not everyone will have this type of response to a person with a dazzling smile, consumer studies have shown that people with straight, white teeth are regarded as attractive.

There is no doubt that most people who make the decision to undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures from experienced dentists express feelings of increased self-confidence with their new smiles.

If you would like to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry procedures that can produce award-winning smiles, please visit the website of Colonial Dental Group in Illinois to arrange a free cosmetic dentistry consultation. With three LVI-trained dentists on staff, Colonial Dental Group has years of experience in resolving any type of dental issue.

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Porcelain veneers are thin wafers of ceramic material that are applied over the surface of the natural tooth. Porcelain mimics the tooth structure more closely than any other restorative material. Porcelain veneers are used to cover worn tooth enamel, to correct uneven tooth alignment or spacing and to cover chipped and cracked teeth. The porcelain veneers available today provide a totally more natural appearance than those veneers available in the past.

The placing of porcelain veneers usually involves three steps:

• Diagnosis and treatment planning
• Preparation
• Bonding

In the diagnosis and treatment planning phase, the dentist will discuss goals and what you hope to achieve with this procedure, examine your teeth and devise a treatment plan customized to fit your specific needs. The preparation phase involves preparing your natural teeth to accept the porcelain veneers. During the bonding phase the final adjustments are made to the porcelain veneers and they are permanently placed.

The placement of porcelain veneers requires artistry and skill. A highly trained cosmetic dentist has the skill and artistry needed for the expert placement of porcelain veneers. It usually requires three visits to achieve the desired results. Porcelain veneers are custom fitted and made specifically for your teeth, so you can improve the color of your smile, and cover chipped or crooked teeth all at the same time.

Who is a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

A good candidate for porcelain veneers will:

• Have good oral hygiene
• Want to improve their appearance
• Be well informed about the procedure
• Have realistic expectations of the results

Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining from coffee, tea or tobacco products. A porcelain veneer should last from 10 to 50 years, and are flossed, brushed and treated as you would your own natural teeth. Properly fitted porcelain veneers are indistinguishable from your natural teeth, except for their perfection.

If you live in Indianapolis, Indiana or the surrounding area and you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneers, please visit the website of Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry & TMJ today and let our team of highly skilled professionals assist you.

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A person’s smile can be a focal point of the face, giving off a positive or negative impression to others. When teeth have imperfections, they not only look less than pleasing, they can also create an unhealthy environment for the other surrounding teeth. Cosmetic dentists can help patients achieve a healthy smile by implementing dental veneers or dental crowns.

While these two dental techniques are often used to correct similar dental issues, patients should be fully aware of how these two procedures differ as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. A knowledgeable and skilled cosmetic dentist will be able to help patients determine which procedure is right for each unique situation.

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells of ceramic porcelain or composite resin that are attached to the front of teeth to change the shape, length, color or size of the teeth. Veneers help hide dental issues such as:

• Somewhat misaligned teeth
• Teeth that have gaps
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Uneven teeth surfaces
• Stained or discolored teeth
• Misshaped teeth
• Worn down teeth

What are the advantages of veneers?

Veneers are appropriate for individuals whose teeth and gums are generally healthy but have cosmetic issues. The advantages include:

• The color of veneers can be matched to the existing teeth so they blend naturally
• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant
• Less of the tooth’s enamel must be removed to apply veneers (as opposed to crowns)

What are the disadvantages of veneers?

Veneers are not appropriate for people who have a tendency to grind or clench their teeth because the veneers can crack or chip. Disadvantages include:

• Veneers are permanent but may need to be replaced after 5-10 years
• Teeth with veneers are still subject to tooth decay

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns, or dental caps, fit over teeth that are in need of severe restoration. Teeth that are extremely weak, cracked, broken, worn down or misshaped can be fixed with crowns. There are a variety of materials used to make crowns, including:

• Porcelain
• Metal
• Porcelain and metal
• Ceramic
• Resin

What are the advantages of crowns?

There are different advantages of crowns, depending on the type that is used.

• Metal crowns require less removal of tooth structure to place the cap
• The color of porcelain and ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of the patient’s existing teeth
• Porcelain and ceramic crowns are stain resistant
• In general, crowns are very durable and help strengthen the underlying weak or damaged tooth

What are the disadvantages crowns?

Again, the disadvantages depend on the type of crown.

• Metal crowns are more visible and less aesthetically pleasing
• Porcelain crowns require more removal of tooth structure to place the cap

Regardless of which technique is used, most patients are happy with the results of dental veneers and crowns. These strong and durable restorations can make people want to smile again.

If you are interested in correcting a problem tooth or an entire mouthful of teeth and want to learn more about dental veneers and crowns, please visit the Colonial Dental Group website. Their highly trained and caring dentists and staff can help you determine the right dental restoration procedure for you in a free dental consultation.

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