Cosmetic Dentistry
Hillsboro, OR
 If you don’t like the appearance of your smile, you can benefit from cosmetic dentistry. It is a branch of oral care that focuses on improving the appearance of your smile through dental procedures, such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental bonding, and dental sealants.
These procedures fix your teeth, mouth, and gums and give you a smile makeover to help you regain your confidence.
Should You Get Dental Cosmetic Procedures Done?
If you want to fix your misshapen teeth or change their color, there are a few things you need to consider before getting cosmetic dental procedures done. For instance, it's important to consult a dentist to:
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Get your mouth checked and see if there are any diseases that need to be treated first.
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The cause of the displeasing appearance of your mouth.
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The range of treatments available. Do they fall within your budget?
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The dentist’s plan of action for your teeth. |
It is also important to put forward your concerns, interests, and any questions about the procedure so that the doctor can help you through the process step-by-step and tackle any hygiene challenges that arise. You and your dentist can develop a plan of action and treatments that best suits your needs and requirements.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
There are four main types of cosmetic dental procedures that focus on creating a symmetrical, balanced, and pleasing smile.
Teeth whitening is a simple and effective procedure by cosmetic dentists to lighten the color of your teeth and make them look shiny and healthy. Over time, the frequent consumption of staining foods like berries, coffee, and tea, or habits like smoking, can darken your teeth and damage their appearance. You can consult a dentist and opt for a teeth whitening procedure, in-office or at home, and restore your smile.
It is one of the simplest and most cost-effective dental procedures, which can be done through several methods. The most common in-office teeth whitening procedure involves bleaching the teeth.
In this, the dentist will first remove debris, plaque, and tartar from your teeth’s surface, then a rubber shield or gel is placed on your gums for protection. Then, using a custom-made mouthguard, the whitening product is applied to your teeth.
You can also do this procedure at home by wearing a custom-fit mouthguard, applying the whitening product, and leaving it for a few hours or overnight. Over-the-counter products like white strips and toothpaste are available but don’t offer professional results.
Dental veneers are thin-shelled coverings that fit over the front surface of your teeth and cover up dental imperfections like misshapen, cracked, crooked, or discolored teeth. Dental veneers are made of high-quality medical-grade materials like porcelain, resin, or ceramic.
There are different types of dental veneers available, all fulfilling and covering different dental imperfections, such as:
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Porcelain veneers - they are custom-made for each individual and cover up dental imperfections. Dentists remove some enamel to roughen the teeth’s surface and help the veneer fit.
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Composite veneers - a teeth-colored resin hides mild dental cosmetic issues.
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No-prep veneers - a less invasive option and requires less enamel removal than traditional veneers.
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Removable veneers - these are snap-on veneers that can be taken out and placed back in. They can damage the teeth and make eating difficult. |
Generally, the procedure involves preparing the teeth by removing decay, plaque, and other debris from the surface. Then, a thin layer of the enamel is removed to make space for the dental veneer. A dental impression is taken for porcelain veneers, and a custom fit is created. In composite veneers, the resin is directly applied on the teeth’s surface and polished smooth.
Dental bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic procedures used to cover mild dental appearance issues, such as cracks, discoloration, and craze lines. In this procedure, the dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin directly on the affected tooth’s surface and uses ultraviolet light to harden it.
After hardening, the dentist sculpts the resin, and trims and polishes it to match the surrounding teeth. The procedure is completely reversible and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. It is a safe and easy procedure and is favored for minor dental problems rather than crowning and filling.
The procedure also doesn’t require any teeth enamel removal and, thus, needs to be replaced every five to seven years.
Tooth decay is a common problem, especially in individuals that eat sugary foods. The bacteria in your mouth produce acid when you consume sugary foods and cause tooth decay. Tooth decay easily starts in the fissures of the back teeth, which are difficult to clean because the toothbrush bristles can’t easily reach them.
Here is where dental sealants are useful. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that cover the grooves and fissures of the permanent back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent tooth decay.
The procedure is quick and easy and involves preparing the teeth by cleaning them and removing debris, then, a thin layer of the sealant is applied on the teeth’s surface to make it smooth, and then the sealant is set and hardened using a special light.
A beautiful smile can make a powerful, lasting first impression. There are numerous factors that go into creating a gorgeous smile. Any imperfections in your teeth or gums can significantly affect its quality, and diminish your confidence. At Hoffman Dental, we offer a free consultation for a smile makeover, which can restore the beauty of your smile, and give you the confidence you need to show it off.
Call Us Today in Hillsboro, Oregon for Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Now that you know what cosmetic dentistry is and how different procedures can help with your smile makeover and restore your confidence, it is time to take the first step and consult Dr. Anthony Hoffman at Hoffman Dental, who has years of experience in cosmetic dentistry and will help cover up dental appearance issues, like cracks, discoloration, and fix misshapen teeth by customizing a treatment plan. For more information, call (503) 648-7700. |
