FAQs About Cosmetic Dentistry

Posted on by Eden Rise Dental Clinic

You may have heard the term cosmetic dentistry being used before and wondered what exactly it means. Well, wonder no longer. Our Berwick cosmetic dentistry experts have compiled a list of frequently asked questions that will satisfy all the queries you may have on the matter and teach you some things you might not have known as well.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a pretty broad category and essentially covers any dental operation or procedure that relates to one’s physical appearance. This could mean improving on something that you’re not happy with, such as having your teeth whitened, or having a broken tooth replaced.

 

What are some examples of cosmetic dentistry?

There is a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and operations, some of these include:

  • Implants – If you lose a tooth for whatever reason, you can have a dental implant as a replacement.
  • Teeth whitening – Some people find that brushing their teeth isn’t enough and opt for dentists to whiten their teeth or bleach them for a more permanent and prominent effect.
  • Dental veneers – Basically a cover that is cemented to the front of your tooth made from porcelain that can hide defects.
  • Composite bonding – Similar to veneers, except if a tooth is decayed, the decay is drilled out and then a material that resembles tooth enamel is put in its place and sculpted to the decayed area.
  • Inlays and onlays – When a tooth has mild decay, an inlay – or overlay when the whole tooth needs to be covered – is placed directly onto the tooths surface.

 

Is it safe?

This really depends on the type of procedure you’re undertaking but overall Berwick cosmetic dentistry is relatively safe. You will feel some discomfort in your jaw after the majority of procedures.

Teeth whitening is the most risk-free procedure you can undergo. If you’re looking at something a bit more advanced such as getting an implant, then there is a risk of jaw misalignment and complications when it comes to biting. This can be eased by wearing a protective nightguard at night.

For other procedures, there may be risks of sensitivity and toothaches. These could be either temporary or permanent. If they appear to be permanent, then you should contact your dentist immediately. Tooth chipping and other physical damages can also occur when things like veneers and crowns are installed.

 

Is cosmetic dentistry for adolescents?

The short answer is yes. Children and teenagers are able to undergo cosmetic dentistry if they’re feeling unhappy with their physical appearance or if they have damaged teeth. Ideally, they should wait until their teeth have fully developed before cosmetically altering them at all however as this can cause damage. For example, veneers need enamel taken off to install and this can damage an undeveloped tooth.

 

Can I be sedated during the procedures?

You can choose to be sedated for a number of cosmetic dental procedures, but it depends on the type of procedure. The majority of them do not require you to be sedated at all, and the rest depends on your health and medical history.

 

What factors cause teeth to discolour?

Tooth discolouration can be due to a variety of different things. Firstly, it is a normal and natural part of aging. As you grow up your tooth’s enamel wears down, which over time causes discolouration. Some other causes include:

  • Food and drink – Particular foods and drinks such as soft drinks, coffee, tea and candy can cause deterioration and discolouring in your teeth.
  • Chain smoking – Excessive smoking can cause the condition of your teeth to rapidly decline.
  • Poor dental hygiene – Not looking after your teeth can obviously take its toll on your teeth’s physical appearance.
  • Medication – Particular types of medication can cause discolouration at certain points in people’s lives such as pregnancy or adolescence when your teeth are still developing.
  • Genetics – Sometimes your genetics can cause discolouration.
  • Trauma – If you injure yourself and a tooth is damaged it can lead to discolouration.
  • Excessive fluoride – Drinking water, rinses, toothpaste or other oral products that contain excessive levels of fluoride can cause discolouration.

Tooth discolouration is put into two categories, extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic relates to discolouration of the outer tooth where the enamel lies. Whereas Intrinsic discolouration occurs in the dentin, which is the tooths inner structure.

 

Do you need cosmetic dentistry in Berwick?

Eden Rise Dental is a family-friendly dental clinic in Berwick that specialises in cosmetic dentistry. We offer a range of services – cosmetic or otherwise – administered by experienced and fully qualified dentists.

If you have any further questions regarding cosmetic surgery then please do not hesitate to contact us through our website or give us a call on (03) 9702 6111.