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There are several ways to
improve your smile. Braces are one of the most
common and for teeth that have been damaged by fractures,
staining and poor restorations, they can be enhanced by bonding, bleaching or veneering.
Braces
Braces
are a common method of changing one's appearance. 20% of
today's patients are adults. They are usually placed by
an orthodontist or a experienced general dentist.
Orthodontics is the dental field that involves the
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems caused by
poorly positioned teeth. When teeth are out of position
they sometimes look unaesthetic but also are more
susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease and dental
decay. A poor bite can also stress your jaw joints (TMJs)
and muscles and cause pain. There are different types of
treatments to correct the position of teeth. There are
fixed and removable appliances. These appliances gently
move the teeth and bone until they are in a desirable
position.
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most common type of fixed appliance is 'braces'. The
braces consist of a bracket, made out of plastic, metal
or ceramics, and an arch wire which connects them. The
teeth are moved by adjusting the pressures on the teeth
by the archwire. Sometimes, springs or rubber bands are
used to help. In certain instances the brackets can be
placed on the lingual or inside surface of the teeth so
they are less visible. These braces are tightened
periodically and some discomfort is felt at that time.
The length of time it takes to move the teeth to the
desired location varies from person to person. The
average is from 18 months to 30 months for children and
may be longer for adults. The time depends on the
difficulty of the case, the amount of room available, the
distance the teeth must travel, the cooperativity of the
patient and the bone and the age of the patient. In some
adults braces can't correct the problem and a jaw surgery
is necessary. After the braces come off a removable
retainer is used to keep the teeth from moving back to
their original positions. This retainer must be used.
Sometimes it is still used years after the braces come
off. Bonding
Bonding is the term used when a dentist 'bonds' a tooth
colored resin onto the tooth to repair a fractured, worn
or chipped tooth, cover up a discoloration on a tooth, or
close a small space or gap between two teeth. The dentist
lightly prepares the tooth to receive the material and
etches the surface so the material has more surface area
to bond to. He coats the tooth with a bonding liquid and
then shines a light on the tooth to set it. He then
places the putty like material on the tooth and shapes it
to the desires shape and then shines a light on the tooth
again to harden the material. After it is set he trims
and polishes the resin to a luster. This can be performed
in one or more appointments depending on the number of
teeth involved. Bonding usually lasts from 3 to 5 years
and before needing to be repaired. Because the material
is a plastic resin it is not as strong as your natural
teeth and can be chipped or broken, if not careful. The
material is also porous and eventually will pick up
stains. The bonded surface will wear and get duller in
appearance after a while unless special toothpastes are
used. Proper home care and professional cleanings will
keep your restored teeth healthy. Bonding not only
restores your tooth but also helps to improve your
appearance and self-confidence. People are sometimes
hesitant to smile because of the way their front teeth
look, after bonding they can smile freely again.
Bleaching
A popular method for treating moderately stained or
discolored teeth is bleaching. These stains often can not
be removed with regular professional cleanings. The most
popular method of bleaching is the at-home method. There
are a few good products out on the market that are
dispensed by dentists. I do not suggest to use the off
the shelf variety. They can cause more harm than good.
First, the dentist makes a mold of your teeth and makes a
custom mouthtray. The mouthtray will hold the bleaching
material against the tooth surface without concentrating
the agent on the gum tissue. If the material contacts the
gum tissue to long the gum tissue can be irritated or
even burned. The tray is worn 1/2 hour to 2 hours per day
and a noticible improvement usually takes place within 2
weeks.Some bleaching agents say you can wear them all
night but your teeth may get very sensitive after doing
this. You may continue using the product until you reach
your desired whiteness. Sometimes you can not achieve the
desired whiteness and will have to settle for something
less. The dentist may have you come in periodically to
check the progress and the reaction to the gum tissue, if
any. After you have lightened your teeth, you may need to
periodically (once every couple of months) bleach them
for a session to keep the whiteness. Average cost is
$200-300 per arch (top or bottom).
Veneering
Veneers or Porcelain Laminate Veneers are the strongest
way to repair a broken portion of your tooth. They are
used to correct the same things as bonding does. They can
cover up discoloration, repair a damaged tooth or change
the shape or size of your teeth. They are much stronger
than bonding. They will not pick up stain like bonding
does. They will retain their luster, unlike bonding. They
will usually last 4 or more years. This is a two
appointment procedure. The first appointment is the
preparation phase. A small amount of enamel is removed
off the front of the tooth and an impression is made. The
impression is sent to the lab and the lab makes a front
of the tooth, much like a false fingernail, out of
porcelain. The dentist tries in, bonds, trims and
polishes the veneers at the next appointment. The seating
is usually a time consuming appointment and can last for
hours. But usually quite worth the wait. Compared to
crowns, veneers are a more conservative method for
restoring a moderately fractured tooth. They average from
$400 to $600 per tooth.
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