Applications That Restore the Functionality and Appearance of the Teeth
Wide, toothy smiles are considered welcoming and make a person seem friendly and approachable. Yet, less-than-perfect teeth can cause a person to be self-conscious about their appearance. When a person feels insecure about their teeth, they may only smile with their mouth closed or even avoid smiling altogether.
Many people may only consider the restorative qualities of dentistry. They may see few benefits in cosmetic dental applications. However, restorative dentistry is often paired with cosmetic procedures to ensure that both the function and look of the teeth are maximized.
Here are a couple of dental applications that are used to restore the functionality and appearance of the teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are rods or screws that are fashioned from titanium and inserted into the jawbone through the gum tissue. Once an implant is in place, the device becomes locked in its position within the bone due to a process called osseointegration.
During osseointegration, jawbone cells surround the implant, fully integrating with the device. After osseointegration is finished, the implant is secured in the bone, like the roots of a natural tooth. To complete dental restoration, an implant is covered by a dental crown or other tooth-replacement devices, such as dentures.
Implant-based applications are considered particularly natural-looking because the gums are contoured around the implant before the device is topped by prosthetic devices that replace the missing natural crown. After the restoration is complete, the smile appears natural, and the teeth are difficult to discern from the patient's other teeth.
Tooth-Colored Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cover teeth that are susceptible to further damage or decay after a restorative dental procedure or dental trauma. After restorative processes, such as the removal of decay from a large cavity or a root canal application, the enamel of the treated tooth may be breached, and the tooth may be vulnerable to a bacterial invasion.
A dental crown encases the natural crown of a tooth. It fortifies the natural crown and blocks the entry of harmful microbes that can cause an infection.
Tooth-colored crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain-over-metal, or resin. The crowns can be colored to precisely match the natural color of the patient's untreated teeth. Additionally, the crowns are fashioned from an impression of the patient's teeth, so they fit the patient's mouth exactly. As a result, the finished restoration appears quite natural.
To learn more about cosmetic dental applications, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.