When it comes to improving your smile, cosmetic dentists have several procedures that Chicago, IL, residents can benefit from. Here are just a few.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic treatment. A cosmetic dentist can offer an in-office treatment or a whitening kit that can be used at home. While the at-home kits don’t work as quickly as the in-office treatments, they are still quite effective, and the patient will see a marked difference in their teeth. The at-home kits are also less expensive than the office treatments. The kit consists of trays and a special gel. After filling the trays with the gel, the patient will place them over their teeth and wait for a set time.
The office teeth whitening treatment takes around 45 minutes. The dentist will apply a whitening gel to the patient’s teeth and then shine a special light on the gel for 15 minutes to stimulate it. The dentist will then repeat the process two more times during treatment.
What are Lumineers?
Lumineers are caps cemented to the front of the teeth to cover up imperfections like stains or chips. They resemble veneers but are thinner. Consequently, the dentist won’t have to remove as much enamel as they would to place veneers. Getting Lumineers thus takes less time and involves less discomfort than does getting veneers. Getting lumineers will require two appointments.
During the first appointment, the dentist will take impressions of the patient’s teeth and send them to a dental lab where the lumineers will be custom-made. When the lumineers are complete, the dentist will check their fit and then cement them to the front of the patient’s teeth. Many patients find that lumineers feel natural from the start. With good care, they can last for over 20 years.
