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The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of teeth, gums, and bite alignment. This could include procedures like teeth whitening, invisible braces, porcelain veneers, and tooth reshaping. While aesthetic improvements aren’t the same as restorative care, they can provide important functional benefits too. 

For example, whitening treatments can improve oral health by getting rid of unhealthy bacteria in the mouth and reducing the potential for future staining. Porcelain veneers can enhance the appearance of a smile while fixing chips, gaps, and other minor flaws. Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored resin to conceal many of the same flaws as porcelain veneers, but less of the natural tooth material is covered. Invisible braces can help to correct alignment issues and potentially prevent the need for more invasive orthodontic treatments later on in life. Cosmetic dentistry is highly versatile and offers patients many excellent treatment options. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to improve their smile with a non-invasive procedure.

Crowns and Bridges

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over an existing tooth to restore its shape and size, strength and improve its appearance. The crown restores the tooth in the same way that an artificial tooth root would restore a natural tooth. Not only do crowns cover teeth and restore their function, but they can also be used to cover implants and anchor a bridge.

Since the crown gets cemented onto the existing tooth, the color, and shape have to be a good match. If the tooth is decayed or discolored beyond the point that a crown can mask it, then an alternative treatment may be needed. However, if the patient is not happy with the color of their natural teeth or if they have suffered tooth loss due to an accident, then a porcelain crown can be a good solution to improve their appearance and oral health.

Another type of restoration that can be done using dental crowns is called a bridge. It involves placing crowns on adjacent teeth to support a false tooth in between. This is used in cases where patients have lost a few teeth in a row. When the dentist prepares the adjacent teeth for caps to be placed on them, the teeth will become stronger as well as more stable. This helps the neighboring teeth stay healthy as well since they will be getting support from their neighbors instead of relying only on the gums for support. In this way, both the aesthetic and health of the smile can be improved with bridges supported by dental crowns.

Dental implants

One of the most transformative treatments in cosmetic dentistry is dental implants. These small titanium posts are inserted into the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots. The more we learn about how our teeth function, the more we understand how much they tend to impact our quality of life. Teeth that are missing or loose are difficult to eat with and painful to clean. They also don’t appear as attractive as the rest of the smile. With implants, patients can regain the form and function of the smile. 

To learn more about our dental services, you can schedule your appointment with our Torrance dentist by calling Nishikawa Family Dentistry at (310) 543-1655 or visiting us at 3556 Torrance Boulevard, Suite C, Torrance, CA 90503.