Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that aims to improve the appearance of teeth, gums, and bite. It not only improves the appearance of teeth but also improves their function.

Implants

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that aims to improve the appearance of your teeth, mouth and smile. It often focuses on improving teeth that are discolored, chipped, broken or misaligned. It can also address gaps between teeth and gums that are uneven.

At Dental Associates of West Michigan, our dentists offer a range of cosmetic dental procedures to help you achieve a smile that makes you feel confident and attractive.

What types of procedures does cosmetic dentistry include?

Our dentists may recommend any of the following treatments to improve your smile:

Teeth whitening – We offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options to brighten your smile.

Veneers – These thin shells are bonded to the front of your teeth to cover imperfections such as stains, chips, cracks, gaps and more.

Crowns and bridges – A crown is a cap that fits over a tooth to restore its shape and size. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with an artificial tooth anchored by crowns on either side.

Dental implants – This permanent solution replaces missing teeth with a titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jaw. The implant then supports a crown, bridge or denture.

Orthodontics – Braces or clear aligners can straighten crooked teeth and improve bite alignment.

Gum contouring – This procedure reshapes the gums to improve the overall look of the gum line.

Tooth reshaping – We can remove small amounts of enamel from your tooth to change its shape or length.

Bonding – We use composite resin material to repair chips and cracks in your teeth.

Inlays and onlays – These are similar to fillings but are used when the cavity is too large for a filling but not big enough for a crown

Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It is a permanent restoration that is cemented into place and cannot be removed. Dental crowns are custom-made to fit over the damaged tooth perfectly. They are made of various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, resin, or a combination thereof.

Dental crowns can be used to repair teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked, broken, discolored, misaligned, misshapen, worn-down, or have large fillings. They can also be used to cover dental implants or as an anchor for a bridge.

At the office of Dr. Scott A. Babin, DDS, we offer several types of dental crowns. Our dentist will carefully examine your teeth and recommend the best type of crown for you based on your needs.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns – These crowns have an inner metal layer and a porcelain exterior. The metal helps the crown withstand biting forces better, while the porcelain provides a more natural look.

All-Ceramic crowns – These crowns are made of 100% ceramic material. They provide the most natural look and feel of all dental crowns. However, they are less durable than other types of crowns.

Metal crowns – These are the strongest and most durable types of crowns available. They are also the least natural-looking.

Zirconia crowns – These crowns are made from a strong and durable ceramic material that is also biocompatible. They offer a good balance between durability and aesthetics.

Composite resin crowns – These crowns are made from a combination of plastic and glass particles. They are less expensive than other crown types but are less durable and more prone to chipping and breaking.

Gold

Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns

Dental inlays and onlays are restorations that your dentist may recommend if you have a cavity too large for a filling but not large enough to require a crown. These restorations are custom-made fillings made of composite resin or porcelain that are bonded to the tooth surface to restore its shape and strength. An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth while an onlay covers one or more cusps. Both inlays and onlays are used to repair damaged teeth and restore their function.

A dental crown is a cap that fits over a tooth to protect it from further damage and decay. The crown is custom made to fit over the tooth like a glove and can be made of a variety of materials including metal alloys, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, or all-porcelain. Your dentist will recommend a crown if your tooth has sustained significant damage and cannot be repaired with a filling or other type of restoration.

At the office of Dr. Scott A. Babin, DDS, we offer both cosmetic and restorative dentistry services to help our patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles. To learn more about our dental services, call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Babin.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Scott A. Babin, DDS, PC

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"I have been a patient of Dr. Babin's for 20 years now. He and his staff are very professional and friendly. They make you feel welcome and comfortable. I highly recommend him."

Dentures

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that aims to improve the appearance of your smile through one or more dental procedures. These procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, crowns and bridges, dental implants, tooth bonding, gum contouring, and more.

Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments. It’s often done to lighten teeth that are stained or discolored by smoking, coffee, tea, red wine, or other foods and beverages. The dentist will first examine your teeth to determine if they are healthy enough for the procedure. Then the dentist will apply a bleaching agent to your teeth. This bleaches the enamel of the teeth and removes stains.

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. They are used to fix chipped, cracked, crooked, or misshapen teeth. Crowns and bridges are artificial caps that fit over a tooth to restore its shape and size. A crown is used when the entire tooth is missing or damaged while a bridge replaces missing teeth with an artificial one. Dental implants are used to replace missing or broken teeth. They consist of a metal post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone and then topped with a dental crown. Tooth bonding is a procedure in which a dentist applies a composite resin material to the damaged tooth’s surface to repair it. Gum contouring is a procedure that involves reshaping your gums to make them look more attractive.

What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?

There are many benefits to having cosmetic dentistry done. Some of the benefits include improved self-esteem, increased confidence, and improved oral health.

Improved Self-Esteem

When you feel good about your appearance, you are more likely to feel confident in yourself and in your interactions with others.