New!
Esthetic Dentistry:
Something to Smile About
David Molina D.D.SHave you ever wondered whether TV and movie stars are born with those gorgeous "Hollywood" smiles, or whether they bought them? More often than not the smiles you see were enhanced by an exciting new art - esthetic dentistry.
Well, not all that new. People have been doing things to make their teeth look good for centuries. The ancient Aztecs cemented round iron pyrite and jade inlays to the front of their teeth. Not exactly the most esthetic from today's standard ideal - white, straight, and even.
Today it is becoming easier and easier for more people to get what was once exclusively for the lucky few - a great smile. Let's start with white. If a single tooth is discolored, it is generally simple matter to bond either porcelain or composite resin. In many cases this is done in a single visit, without even numbing the tooth. If a number of teeth are discolored, especially if caused by the normal aging process that results in a yellowing of teeth over time, modern dentistry can in many cases reverse the discoloration by whitening all the teeth. Although there are several variations, the most common technique is to bleach the teeth with a balanced peroxide gel which is applied by the patient at home using a custom- made soft tray. This can be a very cost effective technique since all teeth can be whitened simultaneously. Existing bonding or crowns will not bleach, however.
And what about straight? In cases of major crowding, orthodontics, the specialty of moving teeth with braces, is the best answer. But in many cases of minor irregularities - such as spaces between teeth, slight overlapping or individual turned teeth - a remarkable improvement can be achieved almost overnight by utilizing porcelain veneers. Bonding thin, almost translucent veneers allows the dentist to change the position and angulation of front teeth and create dramatic before and after effects.
Another dental innovation that effects a more esthetic, beautiful smile is the continuing evolution of tooth colored alternatives to silver fillings. Not long ago the choices for back teeth were limited to gold and silver, but with new materials it is now possible to restore teeth without metals in such a way that the filling material is virtually invisible.
Esthetic dentistry is a growing part of most modern practices. People want to look and feel their best in both social and business encounters. An attractive smile is within reach of more people than ever with new innovations in dentistry, and that's something to smile about.
