When it comes to improving your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, people often have questions about what they can expect from their treatment. While it helps to know how long your results will last and how to take care of them, one of the most common questions patients ask is “is cosmetic treatment safe.” Here’s a closer look at a few popular treatments, and why when performed by a qualified dentist, they’re considered perfectly safe.
Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that fit over your teeth to change their shape, size, color, and even the appearance of their spacing. While your dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel from each tooth prior to attaching them, your mouth will be numbed first, and the veneers themselves pose no danger to your smile. The cement that holds them in place is perfectly safe, and as long as you brush and floss as usual, your teeth are at no greater risk for damage or decay than untreated teeth are.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening (also known as gum recontouring) is a procedure that removes excess gum tissue from the base of the teeth to make them appear larger and your smile less gummy. This treatment does require your dentist to permanently surgically remove some periodontal tissue; however, your mouth will be numbed before any work begins. Furthermore, this treatment has the added benefit of making it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean, thereby reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease!
Metal-Free Restorations
Do you have older, metal fillings or crowns? Many of these contain small amounts of mercury. Studies have shown that patients with eight or more of this type of restoration are at a higher risk of increased mercury in their blood. This means that replacing them with durable, lifelike metal-free restorations is safer than keeping your older metal restorations in place. Furthermore, newer metal-free versions are just as strong and durable as their predecessors, meaning they will still provide superior protection to your teeth.
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding is a safe, easy way to repair teeth that are deeply stained, chipped, or worn down. Using the same natural-looking composite resin used in tooth-colored fillings, this treatment can be done in under an hour, requiring no numbing, and your teeth can be used immediately after to enjoy a full diet.
Teeth Whitening
Many people wonder about the safety of teeth whitening because of the powerful chemicals used to brighten your smile. The good news is that these FDA approved materials are perfectly safe and effective. If you are concerned about prolonged exposure causing sensitivity, professional whitening can cut the treatment time down dramatically, meaning your teeth will need less exposure to these chemicals so you’ll likely experience less sensitivity than with over-the-counter products.
Remember, although all procedures carry some risk, the good news is that cosmetic dentistry is very safe when performed by a skilled dentist. In fact, many treatments have their own oral health benefits in addition to improving the smile!
About Dr Parker
Dr. Scott Parker earned his dental degree from Loma Linda University in 2008. Today, he is a proud faculty club member of Spear Education, as well as an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Tri-County Dental Society. To schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry, visit our website or call 909-795-6019.