Cosmetic DentistryOver the past few years the face of dentistry has changed enormously, and especially cosmetic dentistry. Even just a few years ago metal amalgams and gold fillings were commonplace. It was often quite easy to spot people who had lost teeth because although tooth replacements were reasonable quality, the materials used to fabricate them were unable to accurately replicate the natural translucency and liveliness you find in real teeth. Very few people had teeth whitening treatments or had even heard about them.

Nowadays it’s possible to restore and repair teeth in a way that looks natural and attractive. Missing teeth are frequently replaced with advanced dental implants and cosmetic dental treatments including porcelain veneers, and all-ceramic crowns can create cosmetically perfect smiles. The introduction of newer materials and techniques has made an enormous difference. here at McLoughlin Dental, we can even create the same-day crowns that can be made and fitted in a single appointment and which look fantastic. We’ve taken a closer look at how each procedure has changed over the years and how it can provide you with an even better treatment outcome.

Porcelain Crowns

Even a few years ago the conventional way to make a porcelain crown was for a dental lab to fabricate a metal substructure covered with lifelike porcelain. This technique is still used, but often we will recommend all-ceramic crowns for people looking for the very best cosmetic results. All-ceramic crowns are entirely metal-free which makes a massive difference to their appearance in the mouth. Unlike a metal crown where the metal substructure prevents light from passing right through the crown, all-ceramic crowns allow light to pass all the way through, just like real teeth. The result is a crown that closely replicates the natural liveliness, translucency and different hues found in real teeth. Another advantage of an all-ceramic crown is that any risk of a gray line around the edge of the crown is eliminated. All-ceramic crowns can be made from a special type of pressable porcelain or from a material called zirconia which is incredibly strong.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can replace a missing tooth or teeth in the same area of the mouth, and modern bridges can also be all-ceramic. Some are fabricated from high-tech zirconia to create durable and long-lasting restorations, while smaller bridges replacing the front teeth can sometimes be made from other all-ceramic materials. All-ceramic bridges can provide excellent aesthetic results and a particularly good for replacing teeth in the smile line.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a very popular cosmetic dental solution because they can be used to perfect the appearance of teeth that are less than beautiful, but which are strong and healthy. With the introduction of stronger and more durable porcelains, today’s veneers are incredibly thin yet hard wearing, creating beautiful smiles in a way that is minimally invasive.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Lots of people still have some silver-colored amalgam fillings which although hard wearing, look less than pretty. Nowadays, an increasing number of dental offices including our own have chosen to become mercury-free, meaning we no longer use amalgam fillings to restore teeth. Instead, we can provide beautiful tooth-colored fillings that are long-lasting and hard wearing. Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin which is a material that closely mimics the natural tooth structure, including its wear resistance and translucency. Tooth-colored fillings are a more conservative treatment compared to amalgam because Dr. Nimz will only need to remove damaged portions of your teeth in preparation for the filling, preserving as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible. Above all, to colored fillings look amazing and once in place are nearly invisible. We can also use composite resin to repair chips, cracks, and cavities in front teeth.

Dental Implants

Unfortunately, even though dental care has improved tremendously over the past few decades, many people will still lose teeth. Tooth loss can affect your ability to smile and talk without embarrassment, and it makes it harder to eat properly, a problem that could even affect your general health. Dental implants are perhaps the ultimate way to replace missing teeth, providing a long-lasting solution and teeth that feel and look extremely strong and natural. Treatment is also very versatile because dental implants can be used to restore single, multiple or even complete arches of teeth. They can support single implant crowns, dental bridges, and can be used to hold dentures securely in position.

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is a safe treatment that can soon rejuvenate your smile, quickly, and affordably. You can even whiten your teeth in the privacy of your own home, using a fully customized home whitening kit. Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando adds, "Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little lackluster. Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like."

Even though the technology used in modern cosmetic dentistry is increasingly sophisticated, one thing remains the same and that is our close attention to detail. We never lose sight of the fact that we are treating a human being and you will find that our dental do our best explain every possible procedure that could help perfect and restore your smile. Each restoration is individually designed and is created to complement your appearance. By using the very best materials and techniques, we can provide you with treatment outcomes that are long-lasting. As always, the very best way to make sure any treatment last longer is to visit us regularly for your checkups and hygiene appointments and to ensure you follow a proper oral hygiene routine at home.