Cosmetic Dentistry Birmingham

Various procedures from our Birmingham Dental Practice

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses various procedures aimed at improving the appearance of a person’s teeth and smile. Here are the most common types of cosmetic dentistry:

1. Teeth Whitening: One of the most basic cosmetic dentistry procedures, teeth whitening or bleaching can be performed at your dentist’s office or at home under dental supervision. It can significantly enhance the appearance of stained or discolored teeth.
2. Dental Veneers: These are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials (usually porcelain) designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are used to treat spaces between teeth, poorly shaped or slightly crooked teeth, permanently stained, poorly colored or chipped teeth.
3. Dental Bonding: In this process, a tooth-colored, putty-like resin, which is a durable plastic material, is applied to the tooth and hardened with ultraviolet or laser light, bonding the material to the tooth. Bonding can repair decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored teeth.
4. Dental Crowns: Also known as caps, crowns completely cover a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. They can be used on teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
5. Inlays and Onlays: Also known as indirect fillings, which are made by a dental laboratory. They are used when a tooth has mild to moderate decay or there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling. Inlays and onlays are placed directly onto the tooth’s surface if the tooth cusps are not damaged.
6. Dental Implants: These are titanium replacement tooth roots inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw and providing a foundation for a replacement tooth.
7. Straight Teeth : Though not traditionally considered cosmetic, orthodontic treatment can be used for aesthetic purposes. This includes braces and Invisalign for aligning and straightening teeth.

Each of these procedures has its specific indications and might be chosen based on the patient’s individual needs and desired outcomes.