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Enhancing Your Smile: Bonding, Veneers and Crowns Cosmetic dental procedures are performed for various reasons- to correct misshaped, discolored or cracked teeth; to repair crooked teeth or a misaligned bite; to treat an injury; or to simply improve your overall appearance. Regardless of the reason, cosmetic dentistry has become an important part of the dental profession and is one of the fastest growing areas of dentistry today. There are many dental options available to help improve your smile and oral health. Here are just three common procedures that do just that. Veneers Veneers are one of the more popular and invasive treatments for whitening and repairing stained, chipped or misshaped teeth. Made from thin, custom-made composite or porcelain shells, veneers are extremely durable and closely resemble your natural teeth. Veneers are made in a dental lab, incorporating the desired changes in color and shape. Application generally requires three dental visits, but porcelain veneers last longer than any other materials used in cosmetic dentistry, so you won't need to replace them as often. To apply the veneers, your dentist will first remove a layer of enamel from the tooth, and therefore, this procedure is usually irreversible. The veneers are then applied to the front side of your teeth, leaving you with a beautiful smile. Bonding Dental bonding can correct chipped, broken, cracked or stained teeth. It can also fix teeth that have spaces between them as well as replace silver amalgam fillings. Bonding consist of applying a tooth-colored resin material to the effected teeth, and usually only requires one visit. Once applied, your dentist will shape, harden and polish the tooth to match your other teeth. Bonding works best for small restorations since it's more susceptible to chipping or staining, but it's a great treatment for repairing small cavities or broken surfaces in a short amount of time. Dental Crowns When your teeth are badly damaged or decayed, crowns may be the best option to improve your smile. They'll cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped and restore a tooth to its normal color, shape and size. Made of metal, ceramic or porcelain fused with metal, crowns strengthen the tooth and save teeth that may have otherwise been extracted. Crowns can also be used to protect a weak tooth from breaking, to restore a tooth that's already broken, or to fill the gap left by tooth extraction. During the procedure, the teeth are first prepared by your dentist to receive the dental crown and a temporary shell is put into place. A mold is sent to a dental lab where your permanent crown is made, and once created, can be cemented onto your tooth. If you're looking to repair your teeth and enhance your smile, speak with your dentist about the best treatment method for you. Repairing your damaged teeth will leave you with more than just a beautiful smile. It can improve your overall health and well-being, and that's an investment that's definitely worth it.
Sean Hartmen writes for San Jose cosmetic dentist, The Dental Dimensions (http://www.thedentaldimensions.com/). This implant dentist San Jose offers an array of cosmetic dental procedures including bonding, sealants, veneers, crowns, whitening, Invisalign and dentures.
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