5 Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Options to Consider

Improving your smile doesn’t necessarily mean completely changing it.

For some patients, the goal is whiter teeth. For others, it’s repairing a chipped tooth, replacing an old restoration, closing a space, or replacing a missing tooth.

Modern cosmetic and restorative dentistry offers a range of options, and the right treatment depends on both how you want your smile to look and how your teeth need to function.

Here are five options you may want to discuss with your dentist.

1. Professional Teeth Whitening

Coffee, tea, certain foods, aging, and other factors can gradually change the color of your teeth.

Professional whitening can be a relatively simple way to brighten your smile without changing the structure or shape of your teeth.

Dentist-supervised whitening also allows your dental team to evaluate your teeth before treatment and recommend an approach appropriate for you.

It’s important to remember that crowns, fillings, and other restorations generally won’t respond to whitening in the same way natural tooth enamel does. If you’re considering additional cosmetic dental work, the order of treatment can therefore matter.

2. Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are designed to closely match the color of natural teeth.

While they’re commonly used to repair cavities, composite material may also be appropriate in certain situations involving chipped, cracked, or worn teeth.

Because the material can be shaped and polished, it allows your dentist to restore both the appearance and function of the tooth while maintaining a natural look.

3. Porcelain Crowns

Sometimes a tooth needs more protection than a filling can provide.

A dental crown covers the tooth and can help restore its shape, strength, function, and appearance.

Crowns may be considered for teeth that are:

• Broken or fractured
• Heavily filled
• Significantly decayed
• Treated with a root canal
• In need of cosmetic improvement

Tooth-colored porcelain crowns can be designed to blend with the surrounding teeth for a natural appearance.

4. Dental Bridges

A missing tooth affects more than the appearance of your smile.

The space can also affect chewing and may allow neighboring teeth to shift over time.

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration designed to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike a removable partial denture, a traditional bridge remains in place and uses neighboring teeth for support.

The best way to determine whether a bridge is appropriate is to evaluate the missing tooth, surrounding teeth, bite, and overall oral health.

5. Dental Implants

Dental implants are another option for replacing missing teeth.

Rather than relying on neighboring teeth for support, an implant uses an artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone. Once restored, the result can closely resemble a natural tooth in both appearance and function.

Implants may be used to replace individual teeth and can also provide additional support for certain bridges or dentures.

Because implant treatment depends on factors such as available bone and gum health, a dental evaluation and appropriate imaging are necessary to determine whether you’re a candidate.

Cosmetic Dentistry Should Still Start With Healthy Teeth

It’s easy to think of cosmetic dentistry as being purely about appearance, but a good treatment plan considers much more.

Before beginning cosmetic treatment, your dentist should evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, existing restorations, and overall oral health.

For example, whitening a smile won’t solve an untreated cavity. Replacing a missing tooth without addressing active gum disease may not provide the long-term result you’re looking for.

The best cosmetic dentistry works hand-in-hand with good oral health.

Start With What You’d Like to Change

You don’t need to know the name of the procedure you want before seeing your dentist.

Start with the result.

Maybe you’d like your teeth to look brighter. Maybe one tooth has bothered you in photos for years. Perhaps you’ve lost a tooth and are finally ready to discuss replacement options.

From there, your dentist can explain which treatments make sense, what each option involves, and how they fit into your overall dental health.

Fill Dental Group provides cosmetic, restorative, general, and family dentistry in Point Loma, San Diego.

Interested in improving your smile? Call Fill Dental Group at 619-223-8179 or request a consultation online to discuss your options.