Cosmetic Dentist In Ramsey, MN
If you’re someone who is looking to transform your smile, you might require the help of a cosmetic dentist. But what exactly is a cosmetic dentist, and how can they help? Read on to find out.
What Is a Cosmetic Dentist?
A cosmetic dentist is a dental practitioner who fixes ‘cosmetic’ issues related to the teeth. In simple words, they offer treatments that improve the appearance of teeth, gums, and sometimes bites.
While most cosmetic dentistry treatments are aimed at enhancing the appearance of your smile, a lot of them also help improve functionality.
Why Do I Need a Cosmetic Dentist?
- Chips, breaks, or cracks in the tooth
- Spaces between teeth
- Stained and discolored teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Missing teeth
- Differently shaped or sized teeth
River’s Bend Family Dental provides a wide range of dental procedures to make it convenient for your family to tend to all its dental needs.
How Does a Cosmetic Dentist Help Fix a Smile?
There are various treatments available at a cosmetic dentist’s office that you can take advantage of. Some of the most popular ones are:
Teeth Whitening
One of the simplest ways to improve your smile is by getting them deep-cleaned and whitened by a professional. Teeth whitening is recommended when your teeth have become stained or discolored over time due to various reasons. Although there are many drugstore teeth whitening options available in the market, such as whitening toothpaste, strips, rinses, etc., nothing beats the results you get at a dentist’s office.
Cosmetic dentists use strong bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to help lighten the shade of your teeth. Before they start the bleaching process, they apply a protective layer on the gums to prevent them from any harm.
The procedure takes about 40-60 minutes from start to finish. After the procedure, you will be asked to avoid colored foods, drinks and smoking to prevent the teeth from staining again.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, or composite bonding, involves repairing damaged, decayed, or discolored teeth using tooth-colored material.
Composite is a plastic resin that resembles the color of natural enamel. It is applied to the affected areas of teeth, shaped and molded into place, and then set using a special high-intensity light.
This treatment effectively resolves dental issues, making it appear healthy and aesthetic. It is an outpatient procedure and takes about an hour to complete, depending on the extent of the dental problem.
No anesthesia is required in the procedure except when dealing with cavities. The patient can return to their regular routine immediately after the bonding treatment is completed.
Almost everyone has heard of dental veneers. This is because this treatment is pretty popular among celebrities. Hence, veneers are also termed “Hollywood teeth.” Your cosmetic dentist might advise dental veneers to fix a plethora of issues, such as:
- Misshapen or uneven teeth
- Damaged enamel
- Noticeable gaps between teeth
- Severely discolored teeth
Dental veneers are tooth-shaped covers that are cemented on the front surfaces of teeth. They are made of porcelain – and the shade is matched with the rest of the natural teeth to make them appear in harmony. Veneers are attached only to the front teeth since they cannot bear the chewing and grinding forces of the back teeth. Before attaching the veneers, the natural enamel is shaved down to create space for the veneers.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered to be the “gold standard” of tooth replacement. These are recommended when someone has experienced tooth loss due to decay, trauma, or age. Implants are a surgical procedure, and the entire treatment process takes a couple of months.
The implant base, called the ‘post,’ is made of titanium. It is surgically inserted within the jaw bone. Once the surgery is complete, the patient is sent home to recover for 6-12 weeks. During this time, the jaw bone grows around and fuses with the implant post. This process is called ‘Osseointegration’ and is responsible for the stability of the implant.
Once the fusion is complete, a connector is placed on top of the implant post. This is then covered with the tooth replacement.
A dental implant can be used to replace one, multiple, or all teeth. A dental crown is placed on the connector to replace a single tooth. An implant-supported bridge is used for multiple teeth, while implant-supported dentures are used to replace all the teeth in an edentulous mouth.
Cosmetic Dentist at River’s Bend Family Dental, MN
Dr. Andrea Wimmergren is our in-house dental expert at River’s Bend Family Dental. With her affinity and proficiency for cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Wimmergren’s quest is to provide excellent care tailored to your unique smile goals.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wimmergren, give us a call at (763) 576-1855. You can also fill in this form and we’ll get in touch with you.