Are you considering cosmetic dentistry? Here’s everything you need to know!

Once perceived as an expensive luxury that only the wealthy could afford, cosmetic dentistry is now mainstream and affordable for those who want to change their appearance.

From minor alterations to major procedures, aesthetic treatments in dentistry can have life-changing effects.  By enhancing your smile, you could help increase confidence and self-esteem.

Are you self-conscious about having yellowed teeth or a chipped pearly white? Our practice, Walkerston Dental, offers a wide range of procedures that will put a smile back on your face.

How is cosmetic dentistry different from traditional dentistry?

The latter predominantly focuses on oral health while the former addresses the imperfections of your appearance, ranging from whitening dull or discoloured teeth to fixing gummy smiles.

Tell me more about these popular treatments

Various types of procedures are classified as cosmetic. However, treatments that enjoy widespread popularity include teeth whitening, veneers, crown lengthening and complete smile makeovers – our dentist in Walkerston can advise you on what treatment is suitable for your dental issue.

Teeth whitening

Whitening your teeth is the quickest way of transforming your smile. You’ll flaunt a brighter, more dazzling smile in two back-to-back sessions, thanks to our dentist in Walkerston.

How it works

Your teeth are bleached to remove discolouration using trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide. You decide on the number of shades you want to lighten your teeth by. However, we’ll recommend a natural-looking tooth colour that’s right for you.

When will I start seeing results?

You’ll see changes to your teeth immediately if you decide on our professional, in-house teeth whitening. However, if you opt for home whitening, you’ll find that the results are more gradual.

Veneers

Veneers are used to disguise chips and cracks on one’s teeth, and to also bridge spaces between them, sometimes making it a viable alternative for braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Want to know what they are made from? Veneers are commonly made from porcelain, although there are also composite resin veneers.

What does the procedure entail?

The process involves two steps. During the consultation phase, we’ll assess the colour of your teeth and remove a thin layer of enamel where we’ll place the new veneers. Impressions are then sent to a lab to custom-fabricate your new porcelain shells. During your second appointment, we’ll use medical-grade adhesive and a light-curing machine to attach your veneers to the surfaces of your teeth, rendering them impossible to remove.

Are veneers permanent?

While not permanent, these durable materials can last a long time, between ten and twenty years, depending on how well you look after them.

Gum reshaping or contouring

It’s now possible to change your gum line if you’re self-conscious about it, our dentist in Walkerston may even recommend it, because an imperfect gum line can negatively impact your oral health. Therefore, reshaping is dubbed as only having a cosmetic purpose or declared medically necessary if you suffer from periodontitis, which is a severe gum condition that requires urgent care.

Gum reshaping is a surgical procedure that removes or restores gum tissue, and can totally change the aesthetics of your mouth.

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.