Cosmetic Dentistry
Lakeland, FL
 Cosmetic dentistry is a set of dental procedures and treatments that correct your dental appearance. Some examples of dental problems that can be fixed by this type of dentistry include stained, misaligned, misshapen, and missing teeth. If you are experiencing any of the dental problems mentioned above or anything related, we suggest you contact Thomas Plunkett, DMD for a treatment plan to improve your smile. The exact treatment plan varies depending on your situation, but generally, here is an overview of what to expect.
This is the type of dental procedure you need to brighten the color of your teeth by removing stains. It involves applying a bleaching gel on the surface of your teeth, usually consisting of 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide. The compound breaks down the stains on your teeth through a process called oxidation. To speed up the process, the dentist directs high-powered light to your teeth. The procedure may also include applying the gel several times and rinsing, as deemed necessary by the dentist.
Dental Bonding
This is what you need if your teeth have been damaged by chipping, decaying, cracking, or distortion. The procedure involves a tooth-colored plastic-based resin applied to the affected tooth. Then, an ultraviolet or laser light hardens the resin to bond with the tooth, and after bonding, you should expect additional processes such as trimming, filing, shaping, and polishing to improve appearance.
Dental Veneers
Also known as the 'Hollywood teeth,' these are thin, custom-made teeth shells of porcelain or resin bonded with your teeth. The dentist removes about half a millimeter of enamel from your teeth during the procedure to prepare for these procedures. The shells are then connected to your teeth to correct the shape, color, size, and length.
Dental crowns come in the form of teeth-shaped caps worn to replace a missing tooth above the gum line and restore the shape and appearance. You may need these crowns to help hold a weak tooth firmly, prevent it from breaking, and cover a misshapen tooth. Dental crowns consist of resin, porcelain, ceramic, metal, or metal infused with porcelain.
Crowns are one of the most utilized dentistry materials. They are able to fix a wide assortment of problems such as cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, help with root canals, and much more. Porcelain crowns are also known as dental crowns, or dental caps. Porcelain is the best material on the market for crowns. These are customized prosthetics made from porcelain, metal, or a blend of the two. They come in the shape of a cap to cover a chipped, broken, or damaged tooth. The prosthetics are permanently bonded to your natural tooth to mimic a real healthy tooth and improve your smile's aesthetics.
Apart from improving your smile, you may need a dental crown to protect a weak tooth from further damage or to hold a bridge in place. Dental crowns can also be installed to cover a severely discolored tooth, misshapen tooth, or dental implant.
Types of Porcelain Crowns
Dental crowns today vary in terms of the type of material used to make them. The choice of a dental crown will depend on what your dentist prescribes for you and the cost of the crown. Check out some of the most common types of porcelain crowns below.
Gold Crowns
These crowns are made from copper combined with other metals such as chromium that make them stronger and durable. They usually look stylish, given that their golden color is obviously different from the normal color of the teeth.
Ceramic Crowns
These are crowns entirely made of porcelain or ceramic material. They mimic the natural color and texture of the teeth, making them the go-to option for aesthetically pleasing teeth. Ceramic crowns can last for long periods when taken care of correctly and are also biocompatible.
Porcelain Fused Metal Crowns
These crowns are made of metal for strength and porcelain for a more aesthetic appeal. They are less expensive dental crowns and also the oldest innovation of crowns.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconium is a solid, gray-white material that is combined with porcelain to form the perfect white crowns. They are durable and do not wear down fast or chip easily. They are also less likely to react with your gums because they are biocompatible.
If your teeth have damaged roots, you need a dental implant to replace the damaged teeth with titanium tooth roots. A professional dentist will insert titanium into the bone socket and then allow it to heal. The healing process allows your jawbone to bond with the metal by holding it firmly, creating the foundation you need on the gums for tooth replacement.
Do you have a decayed or damaged tooth? In that case, indirect fillings are what you need. But it is essential to know precisely the kind of filling you need because indirect fillings come in two forms; inlays and onlays. An inlay filling refers to when the mold bonds within the center of your tooth. In contrast, an onlay filling is when the moldl bonds on more than one part of your tooth or covers the biting surface of your tooth. Regardless of the type of filling you choose, both are excellent alternatives for dental crowns.
If you have a gap between your teeth, you may need a dental bridge. This bridge consists of crowns that start from one end of the gap, covering through to the other end.
At Thomas Plunkett, DMD, we are happy to help you choose the best cosmetic treatment procedure for you in order to improve your smile. Call us today at 863-372-1010 for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified dentists.
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