Brightening and straightening
If you’re looking to brighten or straighten your smile, veneers, crowns or composite bonding are all options that can help without removing and replacing teeth that are perfectly healthy. If you’re just looking for a brighter and whiter smile, there are also two options for teeth whitening that your dentist can help with. Your dentist may also suggest orthodontic treatment in the form of Invisalign or braces if necessary or if you are looking to straighten your natural teeth.
Full tooth replacement
When it comes to tooth replacement, many choose to leave the empty space between their teeth if it is far enough back that people won’t notice. But what many are not aware of, is that missing teeth are not always cause for cosmetic treatments. Missing teeth can not only affect your appearance but also your ability to speak and eat normally, which can also have consequences for your health.
It’s important to remember that not all cosmetic treatments are suitable for everyone and depend on many underlying features such as surrounding tooth, bone, and gum health and your desired outcome. The Dentists at Pacific Smiles Dental may recommend one or more of the above treatments if you are looking to improve your teeth and smile or looking to replace missing teeth.
Compare cosmetic dental options
| Purpose | Advantages | Disadvantages | Lifetime | Procedure | Material | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veneers | Veneers help to improve the appearance of your teeth, including their shape, size, and colour. | May resist tooth staining more than your natural teeth. Generally, require less of the natural tooth enamel to be removed when compared to crowns. | Natural teeth can still decay beneath the veneer. May need to be replaced throughout their lifetime. | Porcelain: up to 10 years. Composite: Up to 5 years. |
Enamel is removed from the tooth surface in order to place the veneer on top of the tooth. | Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin facings that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. | Cost varies depending on the material you have chosen. Porcelain veneers are generally more expensive than composite veneers. |
| Crowns | Dental Crowns can be used to strengthen and improve durability and tooth stability, or for cosmetic reasons to enhance the appearance of a tooth. | May resist tooth staining more than your natural teeth. A long-term solution to replacing damaged teeth and improving the appearance of teeth. | Removes more natural tooth than other options. May need to be replaced throughout their lifetime. | On average, dental crowns can last between 5 to 15 years or longer with proper care and maintenance. | Crowns generally require two appointments. The tooth needs to be prepared before the new crown is adjusted and cemented into place. | Dental crowns can be constructed from a range of materials including porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold and zirconium. | Cost varies depending on the material you have chosen. Porcelain crowns are generally more expensive. |
| Bridges | Dental Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth, improve chewing ability, maintain facial structure, and prevent teeth from shifting when gaps are left by missing teeth. | Usually, a bridge replaces just one tooth, but can be used to replace multiple teeth depending on oral health and where the gap is located. Custom-made to blend in with the colour, shape, and size of your natural teeth. | Requires reduction of adjacent teeth. | With proper care and regular dental check-ups, dental bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or even longer. | Bridges generally require two appointments. The teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared by removing a small portion of enamel. The permanent bridge is then fitted and adjusted before it is cemented into place. | There are several types of bridges made up of crowns, porcelain frameworks and bonding. Your dentist will be able to determine the right option for you. | Cost varies depending on the type of bridge required. Your dentist will be able to determine the right option for you. |
| Implants | Dental Implants are used to replace one or more single missing teeth, improve chewing ability, maintain facial structure, and prevent teeth from shifting when gaps are left by missing teeth. | A long-term and the most durable solution to replacing damaged teeth and improving the appearance of your teeth. Does not affect adjacent teeth. | Healing process can last up to 8 months. | Can last a lifetime with proper care. | Surgery to place the implant, followed by a healing period and the addition of the crown. | Usually ceramic or titanium. | Generally, more expensive than other options. Overall cost can depend on the material used and the placement of the crown. |
| Partial Dentures | Tooth replacement option for patients who have lost more than one tooth or haven’t had some teeth come in. | Can be temporary or permanent for people of all ages. One of the most secure ways to fill gaps left by teeth that need replacing. | Require special care and cleaning to avoid bacteria build-up. Dentures need to be replaced every few years as they wear down and no longer fit as well as they did. | On average, partial dentures can last between 5 and 10 years. | Partial dentures made will generally require up to 4 appointments. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth. Once the denture is made, they will test fit them to make sure it is comfortable, and the way it feels and looks. | Will often use chrome framework instead of acrylic framework as it can offer more stability and strength. | Generally made of acrylic resin or porcelain. You may have the option of getting porcelain dentures, which last longer; however, acrylic dentures are usually stronger. |
| Full Dentures | A full denture can restore function when all of the teeth have been lost due to disease or damage. They help provide support to the facial structure allowing lips and cheeks to look fuller, resulting in a younger, healthier appearance. | A cost-effective tooth replacement option for more than one tooth or those that haven’t had some teeth come in. Available for both the lower and upper jaws. Option to have implant retained dentures, held in place by dental implants secured within the jaw. | Require special care and cleaning to avoid bacteria build-up. Dentures need to be replaced every few years as they wear down and no longer fit as well as they did. | On average, full dentures can last between 5 and 10 years. | Full dentures generally require up to 5 appointments. Your dentist will examine your mouth to determine if dentures are suitable for you and will take impressions of your mouth. They will also test fit your denture to make sure it is comfortable, and you like the way it feels and looks. | Will often use chrome framework instead of acrylic framework as this offers far more stability and strength. | Generally made of acrylic resin or porcelain. You may have the option of getting porcelain dentures, which last longer; however, acrylic dentures are usually stronger. |