Dental

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Taking care of your teeth often isn’t just about keeping plaque away.

Published

7 years ago

October 16, 2017

Taking care of your teeth often isn’t just about keeping plaque away. There’s a specific type of dental practice called cosmetic dentistry, which works to make your smile look like you feel inside.

What Separates Cosmetic Dentistry From Normal Dentistry?

Your smile is part of how you communicate to the world. It’s a small miracle of the world: smiling more often improves your confidence, relieves stress, and can even boost your immune system.

In fact, smiling can add seven years to your life!

Cosmetic dentistry, as a practice, recognizes that the health, oral or in general, of the patient is part of their smile’s beauty. Therefore any sound cosmetic dentist, first and foremost, looks out for the strength and healthy functioning of your teeth.

But what else do they do? Cosmetic dentists train in a number of techniques not available in dental school general education.

The Techniques of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is known mostly for veneers, but there are many techniques that can be used to improve the aesthetics of your teeth. These include: bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers, and teeth contouring and reshaping.

Bleaching is a chemical process to undo discoloring in the enamel. The process can be done at home, but any patient should go to their dentist for a custom mouthpiece to facilitate the bleaching process.

Bonding, meanwhile, is using material the same color as the teeth to fill in gaps. This is used for chipped or decayed teeth. Bonding can also be used to change a tooth’s shape by covering its entire outside surface.

Crowns are a porcelain replacement for the exterior portion of a tooth. They’re the most thorough of these procedures, functionally replacing a tooth that has had its external structure compromised. But they are also the most expensive.

Veneers are very similar to crowns, though not as extensive. They can be used for chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. An impression is made of the patient’s tooth, and a custom-made veneer is placed onto the tooth using cement. Then a light beam is used to harden the cement.

Contouring or reshaping also fixes crooked or chipped teeth. The shape of the tooth is altered by the dentist- this can also help with bite problems. Typically, contouring and bonding are two techniques used in conjunction with each other.

How Do I Know What Procedure I Need?

With so many procedures, you might not know which is correct for you. It all depends on what’s best for your oral health and what aesthetics you want to achieve.

For example, contouring and reshaping is a procedure best for individuals who already have a healthy set of teeth. Still, there are those with completely healthy teeth who decide they want to change some aspects of their smile.

When choosing between crowns and veneers, patients would typically decide based on the severity of the issue. While veneers are largely aesthetic in nature, crowns will replace the entire structure of the tooth. But because they are so expensive, they are closer to a last resort option.

Veneers and bonding solve many of the same problems, although bonding is also used specifically as a tooth-colored filling for cavities. The drawback to bonding is that it can chip more easily than other techniques of tooth restoration, as well as lose its color. Veneers, meanwhile, will tend to last longer and resist discoloration.

Always remember that there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ smile. Every individual has their own uniqueness to their smile, and responsible cosmetic dentistry augments each individual’s uniqueness rather than erases it.

Therefore, in choosing a procedure, you should talk to your dentist and have an in-depth discussion about what options are correct for you. If you want to know more call Natural Horizons Wellness Centers in Virginia for expert advice and a consultation.

Dental

Dr. Catherine Song Plans Porcelain Veneers In House Lab For Beverly Hills Celebrity Clients

Dr. Catherine Song is the owner of Song Cosmetic Dentistry, that is committed to helping you achieve a beautiful smile and confidence via teeth whitening, bonding, enamel shaping, dental implants and porcelain veneers in Beverly Hills, California.

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2022

Cosmetic Blog

Always striving for excellence and to provide premium dental services, Dr. Song is always mastering the latest dental techniques, stays aware of the newest scientific advances or equipment and utilizes her years of artistic expertise into her work.

Now Song Cosmetic Dentistry is offering to help you perfect your smile with the best porcelain veneers available in Beverly Hills. Dr. Song treats porcelain veneers like creating a piece of art and will use her attention to detail, experience and skill, to give you beautiful teeth that are ready for the red carpet.

Enhancing Your Natural Smile

If you are hoping to fix some of your dental flaws and improve your smile, then Song Cosmetic Dentistry can help you achieve this by providing some of the best Porcelain Veneers in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

Porcelain veneers (or dental veneers) is a popular and virtually painless cosmetic dentistry procedure where thin, durable ceramic shells are placed on the front of your teeth to create a flawless and natural-looking smile.

There are two different types of veneers: composite resin and porcelain. While composite veneers are more affordable, they lack the strength and durability of porcelain veneers – that also have the added benefit of looking more natural.

At Song Cosmetic Dentistry Beverly Hills, Dr. Song pays extreme attention to create the perfect porcelain veneers to match your specific needs and to ensure the most natural appearance for your new smile.

Porcelain veneers can treat many dental flaws, such as:

Teeth with Discoloration – There are many different reasons for your teeth to change color, the food or drink you consume, some medications and poor oral hygiene all playing a role in this. Porcelain veneers are often recommended for discolored or stained teeth that have not reacted well to teeth whitening and can effectively cover stains and discolored teeth.
Missing Teeth – Veneers can instantly straighten crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth and are a great alternative for people whose teeth have shifted after orthodontic treatment.
Chipped, Damaged, or Misshapen Teeth – If you have shattered your teeth in an accident or are prone to grinding your teeth at night, veneers are a good solution to cover fractured or broken teeth.
“Gummy” Smile – Veneers and a gum lift can help patients with tiny teeth who show excessive gum tissue when smiling. These procedures can extend teeth and restructure the gum line for a more balanced smile.
Teeth Gaps – If you have worn enamel or gaps in your smile, then porcelain veneers can not only give your teeth better protection but can aid in the appearance of your smile.

Don’t hide your crooked, cracked, or broken teeth any longer but choose to laugh freely without being judged or smile without hesitation with porcelain veneers that not only boost your confidence but will also improve your self-esteem.

More information

To find out more about Song Cosmetic Dentistry and to see their full list of dental services, please visit their website at https://www.songdentistryinc.com or you can also visit their YouTube channel at Song Cosmetic Dentistry YouTube, to learn more about the processes involved in a range of their cosmetic dentistry.

Dental

Does Invisalign Really Work?

Invisalign is getting extremely popular among people of all genders and at all stages of life. But are these aligners worth the hype? Do they really work?

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2022

Cosmetic Blog

Invisalign is getting extremely popular among people of all genders and at all stages of life.

But are these aligners worth the hype? Do they really work?

Let’s find it out for you.

How Can Invisalign Help?

Before we move ahead, getting a fair understanding of issues Invisalign can correct is better. It can help with the following dental problems:

Gap teeth
Crowded teeth
Open bite
Underbite, overbite, or crossbite problems

Studies suggest that Invisalign can help with your arches but may not be able to fix more severe bite problems.

Does Invisalign Actually Work?

A shorter answer to the question is a yes. It works for mild or medium dental issues mentioned above. Invisalign might not be suitable for complex problems.

Moreover, for it to work, you need to wear them diligently for 20 to 22 hours per day. Failing to do so might cause teeth to move out of place, disrupting the process. You should remove them only to eat and brush your teeth.

Invisalign takes about 3 to 18 months to align your teeth based on your problem. It exerts a force on your teeth, gradually shifting them. You’ll get a new tray to replace the old one every one or two weeks.

Besides, the major benefit of Invisalign, apart from the aesthetic appeal, is a shorter treatment time.

Studies have shown no difference in the results between traditional braces and Invisalign. People on Invisalign had shorter treatment times.

How Long Does Invisalign Really Work?

Invisalign takes about 12 months to work if you wear them diligently and follow all the precautions advised by your doctor.

Have other doubts about Invisalign? Schedule an appointment with a local expert today.

Dental

How Expensive Is a Root Canal to Treat My Tooth?

So, you’ve gone to the dentist and found out your tooth pain you’ve been ignoring for far too long has gotten serious, and now you need a root canal.

Published

3 years ago

January 4, 2022

Cosmetic Blog

How Expensive Is a Root Canal to Treat My Tooth?

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So, you’ve gone to the dentist and found out your tooth pain you’ve been ignoring for far too long has gotten serious, and now you need a root canal.

So, just how expensive is a root canal?

Give Me the Scoop – How Expensive Is a Root Canal?

The price of this common dental procedure ranges from $600 to $1,400 and is dependent on a number of factors. The skill level of your dental surgeon, your geographical location, and other variables play a role in how much you’ll pay for a root canal.

Of course, dental insurance also affects how much you have to pay out of your own pocket. It could cost as little as $200 or less for your procedure if treatment is covered under your plan.

Does It Matter Where I Need a Root Canal?

Wondering if it matters which tooth needs a root canal? In addition to it mattering for your dental health, it also affects the price that you pay. There are three areas that are differentiated when getting a root canal:

Front Teeth
Mid-mouth teeth
Back teeth (i.e. molars)

Front teeth are usually the least expensive, and molars are usually the most expensive.

Are There Additional Costs Associated With a Root Canal?

While the actual root canal procedure can cost you up to $1,400, it’s important to be mindful of any additional costs. You may need a dental crown, which has its own costs and will add to the total you pay for treatment.

If a Cavity, Cracked Tooth, Infection, or Other Concern Requires a Root Canal in Rockville, Turn to the Area’s Top Providers!

If you need a root canal and want to go to the best dental practice near you, choose Hackley Dental Spa! We offer you the best, most affordable cosmetic and general dentistry care in Rockville.

Contact us at 301-917-3964 to schedule a consultation today to find out that the answer to your question, “How expensive is a root canal,” is that it’s affordable here.