If you are looking for a dentist, you have likely heard the term "cosmetic dentistry" before. But what is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad field of dental treatments and procedures that improve the appearance of teeth, smile, and gums. So whether your teeth need veneers to cover up stains or require bonding to fix chips, cosmetic dentists can help.

This blog post will discuss popular types of cosmetic dentistry procedures in detail. You can then make an informed decision about which one will work best for your needs.

Teeth Whitening

It is often difficult to keep your teeth white with all of the food, drinks, and habits that make them deteriorate.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular Long Island cosmetic dentistry procedures. It covers up stains, removes surface discoloration, and brightens your teeth to their natural color.

Teeth whitening usually takes less than an hour to complete. The procedure starts by applying a gel on top of the tooth's enamel that contains a bleaching agent.

Next, a blue light activates this gel so it penetrates into the deep layers of the tooth where dark deposits reside. This process is safe because only low concentrations are used. Thus, it won't damage healthy tissues around your gums or cause sensitivity issues.

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made cover that attaches to the front surface of teeth. Dental veneers are ideal for people who want their smile to be brighter and whiter without major changes like bonding or crowns.

Veneers can also help correct alignment problems such as overbites, underbites, and rotations. A dentist will take an impression of your mouth with putty before crafting the perfect fit for you.

Dental veneers are porcelain or composite plastic shells. They can be matched to your natural tooth shade, and they typically last for more than ten years with proper care. In addition, veneers don't require as much preparation time, and you'll heal quickly.

Implants

Implants are artificial teeth that replace missing ones. The implant is inserted into the jawbone and looks like a natural tooth root. It can be placed in just one day and will look like you have natural teeth.

Implants can treat various types of dental problems, including those related to aging or abuse.

Dental implants are durable and last longer than dentures or bridges because they fuse with the bone to provide strong support. They also feel more natural when compared to other options such as dentures or full mouth reconstruction, which require artificial materials surrounding your natural teeth.

Before getting implants, one thing to consider is how much time you may need off work while recovering from surgery. Most people take about two weeks off after surgery since healing usually takes at least six weeks.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is a type of dental procedure that fixes chips and cracks in teeth. It also helps cover up tooth discoloration caused by age, genetics, or lifestyle habits such as smoking and coffee drinking.

The bonding material fills up gaps between the front part of your tooth, called the enamel, and what is below it, called dentin. This helps to strengthen weaker areas or repair previous damage from cavities.

The dentist will use composite resin with the color-matched to your natural teeth, so it blends seamlessly into your smile.

Composite bonding can be done on just one tooth (called single-tooth treatment) or multiple teeth at once if they are close together.

An advantage of this type of dentistry is that there are no metal wires needed for fixing missing parts of your teeth. There are also no sensitivity issues as compared to some other treatment options.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays often repair teeth that cavities, cracks, or chips have severely damaged. They can also be used as an alternative form of dental bonding when the tooth is too broken down for a normal filling.

This procedure involves taking an impression, making the inlay or onlay out of porcelain or resin, shaping it with specialized tools, and then bonding it into place. The process is generally finished by adding composite material to the outside edge of the fillings so they blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth.

What is the difference between inlay and outlay?

An inlay is a dental restoration that fills the empty space of an abutment tooth. It can be made from porcelain, gold, or composite resin and offers a natural appearance with excellent wear resistance. The procedure includes preparing the tooth by removing any decay or old fillings then filling it to match its color and shape before putting on new enamel topping for strength.

In contrast to an inlay that restores only one tooth, outlays cover several teeth at once. They are often used to replace missing teeth because they provide better stability than other restorations, such as crowns and bridges, due to their larger size. In addition, outlays offer exceptional durability since they have thicker layers.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

The goal of full mouth reconstruction is to improve the appearance of your teeth and bite. It also corrects problems like gaps between teeth, underbites, overbites, and gaps.

For this procedure to be successful, it will require several cosmetic dental procedures, including crowns and bridges along with orthodontics such as braces. The entire process can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on what needs fixing.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry Answered!

The benefits of having your smile reconstructed are many. First, it will give you back self-confidence. Second, it allows eating food without worrying about how you look when chewing. Plus, there is less risk of developing gum diseases.

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry in Long Island, please contact our office for an appointment today. We will be happy to answer further questions on “what is cosmetic dentistry.”