The main difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry is that the former is mainly concerned with the health and function of your mouth, teeth, and gums, while the latter focuses on the aesthetics of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry strive to ensure your mouth, teeth, and gums function at their optimal level and look healthy and beautiful. Skilled, affordable dentistry in Columbia is available, and finding the right dentist for your family is crucial to the health and longevity of your smile.
While regular visits to your general dentist will help to ensure your mouth’s health and functionality, the time may come that you have to consider cosmetic dentistry in Columbia, South Carolina to restore your smile’s beauty. Porcelain veneers and dental bonding can transform dull, lifeless smiles into stunning sparklers that light up a room.
Two Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Porcelain veneers and dental bonding in Columbia, SC, are two popular cosmetic dentistry procedures that transform lackluster smiles into dazzling ones sure to get noticed. If you are in need of a little smiling sprucing up in Columbia, please read on to see how porcelain veneers and dental bonding will straighten, whiten, and brighten teeth that have seen better days.
Dental Bonding
Columbia cosmetic dentists use dental bonding (also known as “composite bonding” or simply “bonding”) to correct a number of dental problems, including:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Stained teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth damaged from tooth decay
- Sensitive teeth
Dental bonding is a fairly simple cosmetic dentistry procedure that is both quick and pain-free. Composite bonding is a tooth restoration treatment that significantly improves how your teeth look and function. No anesthesia is typically required with dental bonding unless there are serious dental issues underlying the chipped, cracked, or stained teeth.
With dental bonding, your Columbia cosmetic dentist or dental hygienist will clean and prepare the tooth or teeth to receive the dental bonding. A solution is applied to the bonding areas to roughen the surface up so the bonding will adhere cleanly and easily. The bonding resin is applied, and then your Columbia cosmetic dentist will sculpt and smooth the tooth’s surface, ensuring it matches your natural teeth. No one will ever know your teeth were fixed with dental bonding, and the procedure allows you to be in and out of the dentist’s chair in no time at all. If you properly care for your teeth and follow your dentist’s instructions, there’s no reason why your dental bonding cannot last many years.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers, also known as “dental veneers” or “veneers,” are usually applied in two visits. Porcelain veneers are an excellent remedy for the following dental problems:
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Worn teeth
- Stained teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Gummy smile
- Uneven teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Missing teeth
- Extensive tooth decay
- Loose teeth
- Gum recession
You may notice that dental bonding and porcelain veneers fix many of the same problems. Your experienced Columbia cosmetic dentist will explain to you why one of the procedures is better for your particular problem. Oftentimes, there are subtle issues that make a patient a better candidate for porcelain veneers over dental bonding or vice versa. Choosing the best Columbia, SC cosmetic dentist will ensure you have the most effective treatment for your dental problem.
The application of porcelain veneers typically takes two visits. Advanced dental technology is used to scan your smile. A small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth or teeth to receive the veneers. This is done to prepare the tooth for the veneers. Temporary veneers will be placed on the treated teeth while your permanent porcelain veneers are custom fabricated in a dental lab.
On your second visit, your permanent veneers will be bonded to the teeth, and final touches will be made to ensure your smile turns out as beautifully as planned. Some porcelain veneer patients require a bit of gum recontouring to enhance their smile even more following the porcelain veneer placement.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers and Dental Bonding
In addition to increasing your self-confidence, veneers, and bonding improve the aesthetics of your smile while improving the functionality of your mouth, teeth, and gums. They will last many years if properly cared for, and they only require 1-3 visits to your cosmetic dentist’s office, depending on any underlying issues that must be treated. These procedures provide a natural tooth appearance, gums tolerate porcelain composite materials well, and bonding and veneers are stain resistant.
Get Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers in Columbia, South Carolina
If you’re interested in correcting flaws in your smile, it’s important to find an affordable cosmetic dentist in Columbia who has the skills, training, education, and experience necessary to perform intricate cosmetic dentistry procedures. When putting the health and beauty of your smile into the hands of a dentist, you want to choose the best cosmetic dentist in Columbia, South Carolina.
The clear choice of cosmetic dentistry in Columbia, South Carolina, is Dr. Adam Hahn at Smile Columbia Dentistry. Please call (803) 781-9090 to schedule a new patient appointment or fill out our online contact form. One of our dental team members will be in touch shortly to answer questions or get you scheduled.
