Cosmetic dentistry is more than just whitening your teeth

Patients seek cosmetic dentistry for a number of reasons. For some it’s because of imperfections, others it is chips and cracks. And other patients want to replace a missing tooth and help maintain their current teeth in the process.

Restorative dentistry goes hand-in-hand with cosmetic dentistry

Chipped or cracked tooth? Depending on the severity of the damage there are two possible treatment options:
  1. Porcelain veneers.
If the chip or crack is purely cosmetic then you may only need one or two porcelain veneers. These thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the damaged tooth to give the appearance of healthy-looking teeth.

What to consider when having porcelain veneers

It should be noted that porcelain veneers are colour-matched to the shade and colour of your teeth. So if your teeth are stained or discoloured, Dr Ironside may suggest you have a teeth whitening treatment prior to the placement of veneers. The reason for this is that teeth whitening treatment doesn’t affect porcelain restorations. So before you have the veneers placed, we’ll recommend a teeth whitening treatment if necessary. Porcelain veneers, if looked after properly, can last up to ten years before they need to be replaced.
  1. Dental crown
Chipped, cracked or broken tooth? If the damage is functional you may require a dental crown. A dental crown is a porcelain cap which is placed onto a damaged tooth. A dental crown is usually porcelain-on-metal. The metal means the crown is strong enough to withstand the pressure exerted by your bite and the porcelain makes the restoration look like a natural tooth.

Dental crowns and your smile

Like porcelain veneers, your healthy teeth may require a teeth whitening treatment prior to the placement of the dental crown. Dental crowns can last between 10 to 15 years if looked after properly. It is important to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and clean. Once you have had any cosmetic or restorative work done, this becomes even more important as it is necessary to check on the health of your restoration. If you would like to know more about how Ironside Advanced Dental can help you or make an appointment at our Sydney dental practice, please contact us today. All surgical procedures carry risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.