
Oct
While your favorite celebrity may have a gorgeous smile, the truth is that they may not have been born with perfect teeth. Like everyone, they face dental issues and imperfections of their own. The secret to a perfect smile often lies in cosmetic dental care. Almost any aesthetic dental concern can be addressed with cosmetic dentistry, from stained teeth to teeth that are unusually shaped.
While general dentistry is all about the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses almost entirely on the beauty of your smile. Cosmetic dentistry can provide solutions for:
In some cases, cosmetic dental procedures may improve functionality, but these procedures are generally considered for aesthetic improvements and not necessary for oral health. To see if your dental insurance covers a procedure you’re considering, contact your insurance provider or speak with a coordinator at our office.
Porcelain crowns are hollow shells designed to cover a tooth completely. They are often used in general dentistry to strengthen a damaged or weakened tooth but are also an effective tool in cosmetic dentistry. Crowns can cover teeth that are poorly shaped, badly decayed, broken, or chipped.
If you visit the oral care aisle at your local pharmacy or discount store, you will undoubtedly see lots of DIY teeth whitening products. The problem is that these products aren’t as effective as professional teeth whitening because they don’t use prescription-strength solutions. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products contain only .01% hydrogen peroxide by law, while your dentist has access to gel that has up to 6% hydrogen peroxide. Equally important, when your teeth are whitened professionally, your dental care team will be more alert to lurking dental problems.
When you’re missing one or more teeth, it affects more than just your smile. Missing teeth can profoundly impact your oral health, causing an increased risk of concerns such as gum disease and tooth decay. A dental bridge is supported by abutment teeth that are located at each side of a gap. In addition to improving your smile, bridges also restore your functionality for speaking and chewing. Dental implants can also be used to support a dental bridge.
Patients who want to disguise problems such as stained teeth might benefit from porcelain veneers. Veneers are made with ultra-thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of the teeth to cover up stains, chips, cracks, and more. The dental veneer process is irreversible because the dentist has to remove a small amount of your natural enamel to ensure your veneers fit properly, in most cases, but not all.
When you’re ready to invest in your own movie-star smile, contact Dr. Bartholomew Kreiner and the team at the office of D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner D.D.S. in Bel Air, Maryland. Call (410) 983-6775 today to schedule a consultation, or use our online form to request an appointment.