When we hear the term Cosmetic Dentistry, we may think of movie stars or other famous people getting their teeth capped or bonded. It is true that people have been known to use cosmetic dentistry in a vain attempt to improve what God gave them, but in some cases, improving your smile can in fact improve your life!
Cosmetic dentistry like general dentistry has been around for centuries. For example it has been documented that around 700 B.C., the Etruscans made dentures with ivory and bone, and it was also common practice to construct dentures from human or animal teeth. This horrific practice lasted through the 1800 BC. Throughout the centuries, cosmetic dentistry has evolved from these uncivilized beginnings to what we know today.
Cosmetic dentistry by definition is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance of a person's teeth, gums and/or bite. This may involve the addition of a dental material to teeth or gums, which could include bonding, porcelain veneers, & crowns. Cosmetic Dentistry may also involve the recountering of tooth structure or gums, teeth whitening or straightening of the teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Most think of tooth whitening or veneers when cosmetic dentistry comes to mind, but a cosmetic dentist can provide much more. Patients who have undergone treatment are often transformed from the inside out. No longer embarrassed by gap tooth smiles or yellow teeth, their self worth & self esteem is improved along with their smile! This can spill over into all aspects of their life. Giving them confidence to apply for a job or engage in a relationship or many other things that they may not pursued before.
As materials and techniques have improved over time, the idealistic "Hollywood smile" has made way for the more naturalistic result. Patients are often pleased with teeth having a sense of regularity and alignment, more like nature intended.
The materials that can be used while the dental work is being performed may include:
Ceramics or Porcelain - Since the early 1900s ceramics have been used to create dental porcelain. Through the years, the compounds have changed and been modified to provide strength, adherence, and the most natural look possible. Today's ceramics can be blended to match any tooth and can even be created in gradient shades to match the natural aging of teeth. They've also grown in strength and adherence to last a lifetime without any problems.
Resin - The concept of actually securing a porcelain crown directly to a tooth didn't come to market until the 1980s with the introduction of resin cement. This bonding method strengthened the porcelain crown while attaching it to the unbreakable original tooth structure. This was a benefit not only to the strength of crowns, but to their esthetics as well. By the 1990s, resin and ceramics had advanced to the point where not only could crowns be reliably and safely bonded to original teeth, but fixed bridges could also be created and bonded to look and function just as the original teeth had.
The practice of Cosmetic dentistry may have started years ago, but the evolution of this & general dentistry as a whole has improved the practice & millions of patients lives over the course of time. Do you live in the Hingham or Weymouth, MA area & you are looking for a Cosmetic Dentist? Contact Dr Richard A Zuppardi or visit our website at http://www.drzuppardi.com
If you're looking for cosmetic dentists in Weymouth, MA, then call Dr Richard A Zuppardi's family dental practice offering general dentistry in Hingham. http://www.drzuppardi.com/
