Cosmetic dentistry procedures that can improve your smile

Over the years cosmetic dentistry has been as the practice to solve several dental complications until recently some Los Angeles cosmetic dentist started to use several procedures such teeth whitening as procedures to improve the smile of different people, not because you have a problem to go for a teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or dental implant. These procedures are used to solve simple procedures as tooth discoloration, cracks, missing tooth or even tooth decay. Teeth whitening procedure is usually performed using two different procedures that is, laser and professional teeth whitening. Laser teeth whitening or in-surgery whitening is a procedure that uses a light-activated bleaching gel to whiten your teeth. The procedure usually takes approx 1 -2 hours and produces instant whitening results.  Many cosmetic dentists recommend that laser whitening should be followed up by professional home whitening but not a must if your teeth were not affected by discoloring so much.

This procedure involves thoroughly cleaning the teeth, removing any surface stains and tartar. This procedure is commonly referred to as a scale and polish. The next step will be for the dentist to make a record of the shade/color of the teeth before the procedure. This is either recorded using a tooth colored shade guide/chart or by taking a digital photograph of your teeth. The bleaching compound usually contains a high concentration of peroxide (15-30%) and so the dentist will usually place some form of protection around the gums so that only the teeth are exposed to the compound. This involves covering the gums with rolls of cotton and a protective gel material that hardens once applied to the gums. A cheek retractor is used to keep the lips and cheeks away from the teeth.

Another cosmetic dentist procedure that is used to improve the dental makeover is dental implant or porcelain veneer. This procedure usually involves fitting an implant in the hole where the missing tooth has been, sometimes it a small hole is drilled in the jawbone at the precise location of the intended implant. The titanium implant is tightly fitted into this socket and the gum is stitched back over the implant. Sometime the jaw bone may have lost some bone due to injury or because of overstaying with the condition; to cater this cosmetic dentist will perform a bone graft to make sure the size of the bone will fit in that position or find a small and suitable porcelain veneer to use as part of the implant. Once the implant has been placed, it is left to heal and integrate with the jawbone for between six weeks to six months. The bone tissue will grow and anchor itself into the microscopic rough surface of the implant. Since this process is done as a cosmetic practice in most case the dental implant price have been lowered in order to encourage many people who feel intimidated over their dental structure and improve their self confidence. Another reason that has made the dental implant price to be lowered is to encourage dental tourism a practice that has been on rise especially in Los Angeles.