A big warm smile is one of the best ways to make a great first impression. If you are trying to give your teeth some TLC, there are several dental treatments that you should consider. It is advisable to consult tmj dental treatment in Lafayette for specialized recommendations depending on your dental health. Whether you are dealing with yellow, chipped, crooked or uneven teeth, affordable dental procedures can help you regain your natural smile.
You can choose from the cosmetic, orthodontic, or restorative dental procedures listed below. The right procedure or combination of treatments is dependent on your dental health and budgetary limitations. Consulting a dental professional is the best way to determine the best treatment.
Dental Bonding
This is the easiest and most affordable cosmetic dental procedure. The treatment is versatile enough to treat various conditions, including chipped, cracked, stained, and decayed teeth. Bonding can also treat teeth gaps, bad breath, and bite alignment and can be an alternative to amalgam or silver fillings.
The procedure involves using a tooth-colored resin that is flexible, putty-like, contoured, polished, and then applied to the tooth. After application, the resin is hardened with laser or ultraviolet light. This process is called bonding.
Veneers
Veneers are cosmetic procedures that correct mottled, stained, chipped, cracked, broken, or missing teeth. They are thin custom-made tooth-colored shells of durable resin, porcelain, or ceramic glass. The veneers are cemented to the tooth’s front surface and used to resize, reshape or change the color of the tooth.
Veneers are recommended to patients seeking a permanent solution for stained or discolored teeth that have been stubborn to treatments like bleaching. Since veneers can be quite expensive, most patients only use them for the front teeth, visible when someone is talking or laughing.
Crowns
Crowns are often the next best option for patients who have tooth damage that veneers or fillings cannot fix. Unlike bonding applied to specific parts of the tooth, crowns are fixed to the entire tooth to strengthen it and improve its appearance.
Crowns are appropriate for patients seeking to repair cracked, stained, missing teeth, bite alignment, and bad breath. They can be made from ceramic, porcelain, metal, or acrylic fused metal. The tooth-shaped caps strengthen weak or cracked teeth and keep them from breaking. Crowns can also be used as part of a dental implant or bridge. Crowns are durable and can last for several years if well maintained to avoid decay and plaque buildup.
Reshaping/Contouring
Enamel reshaping or contouring is a good option for patients whose teeth only exhibit minor issues like being uneven, overlapped, or overcrowded. This treatment involves small and discreet changes to the enamel, achieving big cosmetic results. The procedure is affordable, quick, and painless. It is often combined with other treatments, e.g., bleaching and bonding.
Orthodontics/ Braces
Orthodontics is used to treat cosmetic issues, e.g., crooked teeth, buck teeth, and irregular teeth. Braces are often recommended for children but can also be used by adults. There are three major types of orthodontic treatment available. Invisalign is popular because they are removable and transparent. The traditional metal braces are used to correct teeth alignment and bite issues. A professional dental expert can only remove them after a prescribed time. These braces also have restrictions on the food and drinks. Clear braces are just like the traditional metal brace, except they are more aesthetic than metal braces.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth bleaching or whitening is an appropriate treatment option for patients with stained, yellow, or discolored teeth. Even though there are several effective over-the-counter whitening products, these are not as fast, effective, or durable as professional treatments. A dental professional can guarantee teeth whitening results of up to eight shades lighter. The procedure can be done at a dental office or at home using custom olds and gels prescribed by your dentist.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are tooth-colored and are placed in cavities to prevent further decay and achieve a natural look. They look much better than the traditional silver metal fillings, which were found to contain alarming amounts of silver.
Dentures
Dentures are a convenient cosmetic procedure that can treat patients with missing teeth. The dentures are removable and custom fit for each patient’s dental structure. You can opt for partial dentures, which replace some missing teeth alongside your natural teeth. There are also complete dentures that replace a full set of missing teeth.
When looking for the best dental treatment for you, it is advisable to consult a dental professional.
