With the advancement in dentistry, it is possible now to get a better smile, and this is the task of cosmetic dentistry. Either these are the subtle changes, or they are the major repairs, the cosmetic dentists are inclined to providing you your desired smile by performing a variety of procedures. A number of procedures are available for the treatment of your teeth, which are discolored, chipped, missing or are facing some other problem.

The most common procedures are bleaching, bonding, dental crowns, veneers and reshaping, and contouring.

Now you might ask which procedure is best suitable for you. It varies depending upon the problem or your requirement. You can take the help of your dentist to know the best suitable procedure according to your need, but you can also choose the right procedure by yourself.

Here, you will know some of the cosmetic dental procedures which will help you select the best one for yourself.

Bleaching
In teeth bleaching, you get the two options, which are in-office-based teeth bleaching, or at-home care.

Peroxide-based bleaching agents are used in both options. At the home system, you get from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides), whereas in in-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide.

Usually, your teeth become whiter as long as you keep the stronger solution on your teeth. But, you always keep in mind that the higher the volume of peroxide on the whitening solution, the shorter is the span for which you should apply it on your teeth. When you keep the gel for a longer duration, it dehydrates the tooth and may increase the tooth sensitivity.

#In-Office Bleaching
When teeth bleaching is done by your dentist, you can get brighter teeth faster. Here, the bleaching solution used is stronger as compared to the at-home kits. In addition to this, heat, light, or their combination may be used for speeding the intensifying of the whitening procedure.

You get the most dramatic results when teeth generally get three to eight shades brighter. It generally takes 30 to 60 minutes of in-office visits to see these results. Some dentists use some special techniques, which can take up to 2-hours of appointment.

#At-Home Teeth Bleaching
At-home teeth bleaching includes different choices, among the most common choices, include:

Tooth whitening strips and gels are applied directly to the teeth with a brush or a thin strip. Such peroxide-based tooth bleaching products are required to be applied once or twice a day for 10 to 14 days.
Tray-based tooth bleaching systems are some other choices that you can use. A mouth-guard-like tray is filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel or paste. Then it is placed over the teeth for one or several hours a day for up to four weeks.

Tooth whitening toothpaste containing chemicals or polishing agents are also one of the options for teeth bleaching at home.

Bonding
Bonding is a tooth-colored resin material that is used to fill in gaps or to change the color of teeth. The resin is used for repairing a decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored tooth. Bonding is accomplished in a single office visit and it lasts several years. It is undoubtedly more susceptible to staining or chopping as compared to other forms of restoration.

Unlike veneers that are manufactured in a laboratory, and need a customized mold for achieving a proper fit, bonding can be accomplished in a single visit. The procedure is known as bonding because the material bonds to the tooth.

#How It Is Done by the Dentist
A shade guide is used by the dentist for selecting the composite resin color, which will match the color of the tooth most closely.

Once the color has been chosen by the dentist, he or she abrades or etches the surface of the tooth slightly in order to roughen it. The tooth is coated lightly with a conditioning liquid thereafter, which assists the bonding material adhered.

After the tooth is prepared, the dentist applies the tooth-colored, putty-like resin. In order to give it a proper shape, the resin is molded and smoothed. After that, the hardening process of the material is accomplished with ultraviolet light or laser.

After the process is completed, i.e., the bonding material is hardened, your dentist trims it and shapes it. Thereafter, he or she polishes the material until it matches the sheen of the other part of the tooth surface.

The whole procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour in completing. If more than one tooth is required to be done, many visits might be needed.

Dental Crowns
Fixed prosthetic restorations made for restoring a damaged tooth to its original shape or size are known as dental crowns. The crowns are cemented permanently on teeth, which have cracked, extensively decayed or been damaged. Crowns prominently replace the outer aspect of the crown part of the natural tooth; however, they are extended sometimes down into the root surface.

After they are affixed, the portion of the damaged tooth above the gum line is completely encased by the crown.

Veneers
Dental Veneers are custom made wafer-thin, the custom-made shell of material that is tooth-colored designed for covering the front surface of teeth for improving your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of teeth changing their length, size, shape or color.

Countering and Reshaping
The process of correcting the crooked teeth, chipped or irregularly shaped teeth and overlapping teeth in a single section is known as tooth reshaping and contouring. It is commonly used for altering the length and shaping the position of your teeth. It is usual for bonding to be combined with tooth reshaping.

This procedure is supposed to be ideal for the candidates who have normal & healthy teeth, and they want subtle changes to their smile. The dentists first take X-rays for evaluating the size and pulp of each tooth for ensuring if there is enough bone between the teeth for supporting them.

Which Is the Right Procedure for You?
Once you have chosen the best-suited dental services for yourself, you should ask a few more questions from your dentists. You are recommended to ask about the look of the changes, what you should expect via the course of treatment; and what type of maintenance will be required after the changes.

Author's Bio: 

Sandra is a medical practitioner dedicated to helping people who are facing dental issues. She provides simple remedies and procedural recommendations to help others.