Dental CosmeticsLos Angeles, CA

Dental Restoration Services

Restorative dentistry improves the appearance of teeth and helps support oral health. Dental restoration involves various methods of dealing with missing or non-functional teeth. For example, a tooth may be broken, worn down, or very decayed. A cosmetic dentist will select crowns or replacement teeth that match the other teeth in color and shape. Although the function is important, appearance remains an important factor in dental restoration. Options for dental restoration include:

• Crowns: While some crowns are placed over healthy teeth to improve aesthetics, in many cases, placement is needed to support a weak or broken tooth. In those cases, crowns enable patients to continue chewing comfortably. Crowns also help maintain proper spacing for the surrounding teeth.
• Fillings: This is a common type of dental restoration. Fillings are necessary to prevent further decay and maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. When selecting filling materials, dentists are also mindful of visible filling placement. Patients can also opt for fillings made of porcelain or other composite materials that look more like the color of natural teeth.
• Tooth Replacement: A common tooth replacement option for missing or damaged teeth. Tooth replacements include bridges, crowns, dentures, and dental implants.

Exclusively Cosmetic Procedures

Other dental cosmetic procedures serve purely cosmetic purposes. Cosmetic dentistry continues to empower people to improve their smiles. Some common purely cosmetic procedures include:

• Enamel Shaping: A cosmetic dentist can shape the enamel to improve its appearance. People with crooked, overlapping, irregular, or damaged teeth will often get enamel shaping. Patients will commonly combine enamel shaping with other treatments like bonding.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth become stained over time from consuming foods and drinks, smoking, or taking certain medications. People can choose between getting teeth whitening under the supervision of a dental professional or at home using less effective over-the-counter products. Some professional teeth whitening options are tray-based tooth whiteners and in-office bleaching.
• Veneers: When getting a veneer, a patient will have a small amount of enamel shaved down to improve the tooth's appearance. A wafer-thin ceramic shell replaces the shaved enamel. A bonding material then attaches the ceramic shell to the tooth and allows normal tooth function.

Dental Cosmetics and Oral Health

Dental cosmetics can enhance oral health and function as straighter, cleaner teeth can greatly improve hygiene. The Oral Health Foundation states that an incorrect or uneven bite can cause the face to sag, the chin to stick out, and the smile to droop. This, in turn, can lead to problems in the jaw and result in increased or frequent headaches, neck pain, and body pain.

Dental cosmetics allow patients to exercise better hygiene habits such as flossing. Constant care and maintenance provide a clean and healthy oral cavity in which bacteria is always washed away, eliminating plaque buildup and reducing the likelihood of many oral health conditions and diseases. Cosmetics and restorations also promote self-confidence and well-being, increasing one's willingness to keep up an oral routine.