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Cosmetic dentistry and Oral health

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetic appearance of teeth. The appearance of teeth, positioning of teeth, colour and brightness of teeth, their alignment etc. are all covered by this branch of dentistry.

Correcting the gum, bite and altering the appearance is possible by using different cosmetic dentistry procedures. Some patients may have acquired conditions like discoloration of teeth due to prolonged medicine intake. In such situations, cosmetic dental medicine provides the much-needed confidence boost.

Proper oral function is one of the basic requirements in making sure the body obtains nutrition in the right form. If the oral function is impaired then the effect is seen in the overall health of the body. Oral hygiene is improved through this method, cleaner and healthier and sparkling teeth also makes sure there is no plaque or tartar build up in the mouth. Possible bacterial infections are cut off and oral health is promoted. 

Teeth whitening

Getting sparkling shiny teeth is everyone’s dream. Removing discolouration from the teeth is possible through different teeth whitening procedures. It is not just about adding sparkle; the procedure also involves cleaning the teeth, removing the plaque and tartar build-up in the mouth and removing possible infection sites.

Food debris gets stuck in the mouth and can even remain without proper oral hygiene. Bacteria get attracted to these sites and they work on the sugary content of the food and release acids that harm the teeth. The strong dental enamel covering of the teeth is eroded by this action. Teeth that have deposits of plaque can lose their colour and become yellowish.

Teeth discolouration is also triggered through habits like smoking and using tobacco, food stains get absorbed into the teeth when the enamel is lost. Coffee, wine, berries also bring about change in the teeth colour. All these concerns can be restored by teeth whitening techniques, and oral health is also preserved along with it.

Gum Corrections

Gum tissues or lining can get damaged due to lack of proper hygiene or due to genetics. Bacterial action can cause the gums to recede from their normal position and more teeth become visible. In this situation, when more teeth are visible – it can lead to a rise in damage to the teeth in general and also increased teeth sensitivity. Roots of the teeth get exposed and loss of teeth due to tooth decay is also seen. Surgery can be conducted to fix this issue and cover the overexposed teeth. Gum tissue also obtains extra support and can be strengthened against possible infections.

Sagging of gum tissues is typically seen when the health of the gum lining is compromised. Cosmetic surgery can help fix issues in gum lining. Usually they are performed along with other procedures like dental veneers or dental crowns. Besides providing much needed oral health support, it improves the overall appearance of the teeth.

Teeth restorations

Teeth sometimes get cracked, chipped or fractured due to trauma to the mouth. This can be due to falls, accidents or sports injuries. This requires restorative treatment procedures like crowns, fillings, bridges. They help restore the structural and to some extent the function of the teeth.

Fillings can be used to treat cavities formed in the teeth. The decay formed in the inner pulp area of the tooth is removed and then sealed with filling material. This helps prevent further decay of the teeth and also stops the surrounding teeth and tissues from getting affected.

Crowns may be placed on top of the teeth, to give shape to teeth that are been broken due to a fall and also give strength to damaged teeth. When teeth are lost, other remaining teeth gradually slip into the gap left by the tooth. This will result in misalignment of the teeth and also results in a change of facial structure. Bridges help with replacement teeth in these gaps to restore oral health and support the surrounding teeth as well.

Teeth alignment

Not all of us are blessed with a perfect smile. Most people have teeth that are crooked, misaligned, or jutting out. Straightening them or aligning them is not just for good appearance, but also required for good oral function. Not correcting alignment issues can lead to oral and dental problems affecting jaws, teeth and also the bone structure.

Traditionally, metal braces are used to shift teeth to their aligned position. But now there are Invisalign braces that are easy to remove and wear and not visible at all.

Having too many teeth is also an issue that affects teeth alignment. With proper treatment, the teeth that jut out are aligned and if required the ‘extra’ teeth are extracted.

Sometimes, the top and bottom jaws are not in contact with each other – creating issues like overbite, underbite, crossbite etc. These also result in issues for the jaw bones and wear and tear in the teeth. There are procedures that can correct these issues and reduce the associated jaw and neck pain.

Dental implants

You may lose teeth due to aging, accidents etc. Earlier, dentures were the only answer to this problem. But now dental implants are available, and they are a more permanent solution.

The replaced teeth are fixed into position in the jaw bone and they are fitted with natural looking teeth. Implants help support neighbouring teeth and loss stop bone loss. Prevention of sagging muscles and premature aging are also some of the other benefits of dental implants.

As you can see, cosmetic surgery is not just about improving appearance, it also improves dental health.

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