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Originally Posted On: https://columbiadentistsc.com/blog/5-types-of-cosmetic-dentistry-services-in-columbia-sc/
Oral health problems are an extremely prevalent issue. Around 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases. Dental problems affect the health of your teeth and gums and your self-confidence.
Cosmetic dentistry is an effective way to improve your oral health while helping you feel confident about your smile. There are numerous cosmetic dentistry services available to patients. While route you take depends on your goals and your current oral health.
This guide will discuss the top five cosmetic dentistry services you and your family can receive in Columbia, SC. We’ll also talk about why Lockhart Dental is the leading cosmetic dentist in the area.
1. Dental Implants
It can be challenging to do normal activities, like talking or chewing, if you’re missing one or more teeth. Dental implant restoration is a way to replace your missing teeth.
Your tooth roots will get replaced with metal posts. An artificial tooth will get attached to the root, functioning and looking like a real one. Dental implants are a great option for patients who don’t want dentures.
During dental implant surgery, the artificial root fuses with the jawbone. Patients need to have a healthy jawbone structure to be considered a candidate for dental implants.
Dental implant restoration might be an option for you if you:
- Have healthy gums
- Don’t have underlying health conditions
- Don’t want to or can’t wear dentures
- Don’t smoke
- Can commit a few months to the entire process
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are numerous benefits of dental implants. One of the primary ones is that dental implants behave and look like natural teeth. You likely won’t be able to tell the difference between your implant and a natural tooth.
Another benefit is that they can last for the rest of your life. That’s because the metal implant integrates with your jawbone, becoming part of your bone structure. Other options, like dental bridges, might last a decade.
Dental implants also prevent future bone loss. When you’re missing a tooth, your jawbone will start to deteriorate because it’s not getting stimulated. As your chewing gets back to normal with a dental implant, you’ll receive the necessary stimulation for natural bone growth.
2. Dentures
Dentures are removable hardware that replaces your gums and teeth. There are two primary types of dentures:
- Partial
- Complete
Partial dentures typically include artificial teeth that are attached to a metal framework and gum-colored base. This method is used when you still have one or more teeth in your lower or upper jaw. Partial dentures fill in the missing spaces while preventing the adjacent teeth from moving.
Complete dentures are created once your teeth have been removed and your gum tissues start to heal. Your dentures are ready for you to wear two to four months after the tooth removal process. Complete dentures replace the teeth in your entire mouth.
Benefits of Dentures
You need to have a healthy jawbone structure to get dental implants, but that’s not necessary with dentures. You can replace your missing teeth while preventing your facial muscles from sagging.
A partial denture will prevent your natural teeth from experiencing excessive wear. As you chew with your dentures, the force will get evenly distributed to all of your teeth.
3. Bonding
While our teeth are designed to be strong and durable, certain things can result in a chip or crack on your tooth. Some things that can result in this happening include:
- Getting hit in the face
- Eating Ice cubes
- Childbirth
- Tooth decay
Tooth bonding is an effective way to repair your chipped teeth. It also prevents them from getting more damaged. It can also assist with discolored teeth or gaps.
Your dentist will find a composite resin that’s close to the natural color of your teeth. They’ll apply the resin to the targeted tooth, repairing the damage.
Benefits of Tooth Bonding
Dental bonding is a popular procedure due to the fact it’s non-invasive and cost-effective. Other procedures, like dental crowns or veneers, require more steps to complete. You don’t have to remove your tooth’s enamel to get tooth bonding.
Dental bonding can also conceal a lot of different imperfections on your teeth. These include:
- Discoloration
- Gaps
- Cracks
- Chips
It’s a quick procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. You can typically get the process done in one visit.
4. Teeth Whitening
Another common cosmetic dentistry service in Columbia, SC procedure is teeth whitening. Tooth discoloration is caused by various things. They include:
- Drinks like tea, coffee, dark sodas, and red wine
- Poor oral care
- Disease or trauma
- Tobacco
- Medical treatments
Teeth whitening is effective at correcting yellow and brown tooth staining. It can remove staining that typically can’t get eliminated during routine cleaning. There are various teeth-whitening methods that a cosmetic dentist can employ.
Some of these methods are:
- Custom whitening trays
- Opalescence TresWhite
- In-office whitening
The method you choose depends on your goals and the current state of your teeth.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
There are more benefits of teeth whitening in addition to achieving a sparkling smile. These benefits include:
- Reliable treatments from professionals
- Increase in confidence
- Fast results
- Improved smile
5. Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are a great choice if you want to improve how your teeth look. They can also correct various dental problems. Some of them include:
- Discolored teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Worn down teeth
- Teeth that are irregularly shaped, uneven, or misaligned
Porcelain veneers are custom-made, thin shells that are made from materials that look like teeth. They get bonded to your teeth, changing the following:
- Length
- Size
- Color
- Shape
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers have countless benefits. They include:
- A natural tooth restoration procedure
- Fix minor cosmetic issues
- Increase your self-confidence
- Prevent future discoloration
- Low-maintenance
Schedule an Appointment for Cosmetic Dentistry in Columbia
Cosmetic dentistry is more than giving you a movie-star smile. These treatments are designed to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Avoid more serious problems down the road by making an appointment with a Columbia, SC, cosmetic dentistry office.
Lockhart Dental is proud to be the leading family and cosmetic dentistry office in Columbia, SC. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for you and your family.
