Good Candidates for Cosmetic Dentistry

Feb 20th, 2009 8:05:09 pm - Subscribe
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It's a common misconception to think that everyone qualifies for cosmetic dentistry procedures. The matter of the fact is each procedure has a certain set of criteria that either permit someone to receive a said procedure, or bar someone from receiving a treatment. This criteria is established to ensure that each cosmetic dentistry patient receives what he or she has paid for. In this article, I'll be examining some of the more common cosmetic dentistry procedures, and the exploring what dentists seek in a patient in deeming them eligible for a specific treatment.

To begin, we will be taking a look at the dental veneer procedure. Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that are applied to the front of your teeth. They can mask of numerous dental problems and can keep your teeth looking white and radiant. Now, you may be wondering who is a good candidate for the dental veneer procedure. Dentists will often avoid performing this procedure on patients while minimally disfigured teeth. Dental veneers often reserved for those who have orthodontic deficiencies, or have substantial tooth discoloration. Since during this procedure a substantial amount of your tooth enamel needs to be grinded off to allow for thinning of the tooth and increased bonding, the procedure is really only for those who have pretty substantial smile deficiencies. Dental veneers can be a hefty investment not only initially, but in the long run. They do not last forever, and typically have to be replaced within 10 to 15 years. This should be a consideration when choosing what route you want to take into repairing your teeth. Please note that those with veneers are also barred from me eating certain things that could jeopardize the bond veneers have with your teeth.

Many seem to think that tooth whitening is available to just about anyone. This is somewhat true, but not fully. The teeth whitening procedure has more lax eligibility requirements than the other cosmetic dentistry procedures available. Essentially, to qualify for this procedure you first need to be over 18 years of age. The majority of cosmetic dentists will not touch a patient any younger. Also, most cosmetic dentists will refuse to perform the treatment on anyone that does not show signs of relatively substantial tooth discoloration. Those with a minimal am a ount of discoloration have little to gain from tooth whitening, as they will really not get their money's worth.

Finally, let's take a look at the dental implant procedure. Dental implants, for those of you less knowledgeable in this field, are artificial tooth roots. They are designed for a someone who has lost a tooth and needs to regain their tooth functionality. For one to be considered suitable for an implant procedure, they need to have a healthy jaw bone. Implants need a solid foundation to be effective, and without a healthy jawbone, the implant has nothing to borrow am. Patients that have a jawbone in less than favorable health will typically not be approved for dental implants. The implants are screwed to the patient's jawbone and allowed to fuse for several months. Once this process is complete, the implant is outfitted with a prosthetic tooth that will allow the patient to regain functionality.

As you can see, each procedure offered under cosmetic dentistry has varied requirements. You cannot tell for sure whether or not you are fit for a particular procedure until you have a consultation with a cosmetic dentist, the dentist will be able to conclusively tell whether or not you are a good candidate for a particular procedure.

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