General dentistry covers various procedures from cleanings, to extractions and fillings. However, your appointment doesn’t have to be limited to just these. Have you ever felt insecure about your smile and your teeth? Cosmetic procedures might be just the thing you need. The list of cosmetic services tends to generally vary from dentist to dentist but here’s what to expect if you ever consider taking up on getting the beautiful smile and confidence fixed.

Bonding

If you have decayed or cracked teeth or even want to change its shape, you can opt for bonding. The service includes very little preparation time and it starts with roughening the teeth and applying conditioning liquid to give the bonding material something to stick to. Then the resin material (tooth coloured of course) is applied and bonded to your tooth with a special light. It usually takes up to 30 to 60 minute per tooth to complete.

Braces and Invisalign

We all know braces help align your teeth. Invisalign is an alternative to braces that uses thin pieces of clear plastic that essentially makes oral hygiene much easier. Before making your choice however, talk to your local dentist, learn about the pros and cons and see which one would suit you best.

Bridges

These are not exclusively cosmetic but provide a less evasive way of getting your implants. These artificial appliances replace missing teeth. Traditionally, they work by having natural teeth on either side of the gap you intend to replace. They are not to be confused with crowns that cover the tops of damaged teeth.

Whitening

Are you insecure about the yellowness of your teeth? Fair enough, it can look quite unappealing in photos and take away your confidence in a jiffy. Worry not there are many whitening procedures you can take, from bleaching to laser treatments. Your teeth can get up to 16 shades lighter!

Veneers

This is similar to bonding but the overall process would take around 2 to 4 weeks for the veneers to be made. They’re thin, shells of porcelain, custom-made for you and bonded to the outside of natural teeth. They’re often used on damaged or uneven teeth.

Implants

This is a replacement procedure for any missing teeth you may have. It takes up three parts- firstly, a titanium implant which will essentially have the same functions as the root of a tooth. Secondly, the abutment, which connects the implant to the crown. This leads us to the third part, the crown itself. All these 3 successfully make up an implant.

Enamel Shaping and Contouring

This is a quick and painless routine that can be done in 30 minutes of a session. Essentially the dentist will use tools to gently remove some of your enamel so as to change the shape or even the length. Once done, the service will be wrapped up with the polishing of your teeth and you’re good to go!

If you’re ready to take away all those insecurities, cosmetic dentistry comes highly recommended! And it not only adds an aesthetic advantage but takes care of your oral hygiene when you fix up your damaged teeth!