Healthy Smiles Dentistry Georgetown Georgetown Texas

Cosmetic dental services can be performed to help restore the shape of damaged teeth. Teeth are regularly exposed to bite forces and acids that can break off parts of their structures. They can also be damaged by bad habits like teeth grinding or by getting hit in the face.

Damaged teeth can affect the appearance of your smile because they typically become your most noticeable teeth. For example, a chipped tooth in one of your front teeth would be the first thing that most people notice when you smile.

Cosmetic dental services that can rebuild the shape of teeth

Many people may be dealing with a damaged tooth that ruins the aesthetics of their smile. Here are a few popular cosmetic dental services that can be used to address these problems.

1. Composite bonding

Composite bonding is a non-invasive way to approach damaged teeth. The process does not involve making any permanent alterations to the tooth, so patients can explore other options in the future if they choose to do so.

Dental bonding involves applying a composite resin directly to the patient’s tooth. The composite is made from plastic and glass, and it can be matched with the color of the patient’s teeth. This makes it virtually impossible to detect repairs made with composite bonding.

The composite is shaped as needed once applied to the patient’s tooth, and a curing light is used to harden it. The dentist polishes the tooth to complete the process. The entire procedure takes about 45 minutes per tooth, and the patient can leave the office with the shape of their tooth restored.

2. Enamel reshaping

This treatment involves removing small portions of enamel from a tooth to reshape its exterior. It can be used to address issues like chipped teeth, uneven front teeth, and sharp corners on teeth. Tooth reshaping cannot be used to address issues that extend beyond the enamel.

3. Crowns

Crowns are often recommended when the damage to a patient’s tooth is too severe to address with composite bonding. A crown is shaped to look just like a natural tooth, and it completely covers the tooth that it is placed on. The crown also provides restorative benefits, being able to restore the tooth’s function and protect it against bite forces and acids made by oral bacteria.

Getting a crown placed on a tooth is irreversible because enamel has to be shaved off the tooth’s sides. The tooth will always need a restoration to protect it against irritants in the mouth.

4. Veneers

These tooth-shaped shells cover the front parts of teeth, giving them a new shape and appearance. Multiple veneers can be placed on a patient’s teeth to transform the way that their smile looks. Issues that veneers can be used to fix include stains, small chips, short teeth, deformed teeth, and crooked teeth. Getting veneers typically involves removing enamel from the front parts of teeth.