5 Ways “Good Enough” Cosmetic Dentistry Will Fail
There are many reasons why you might do this, such as cost, treatment time, or even the recommendation of a dentist who isn’t skilled in providing the best cosmetic dentistry treatments.
When you do decide to go with “good enough,” though, you have to be prepared for potential failures. Here’s why.
Appearance
Not all dentists have the same ability to design, deliver, and fit cosmetic restorations that have the same level of beauty. If you opt to have cosmetic dentistry done by a dentist offering lower-quality materials, that quality will show through, as the restorations may look fake, may not match your natural teeth, or may be otherwise unattractive. They may also be poorly designed and not give the look you were hoping for.
Durability
Dental restorations can be made of a wide range of materials, some of which are very durable. With quality dental restorations, it’s normal for them to last ten, fifteen years or more. With lower quality restorations the lifespan may be much less, perhaps two or three years. One clear example of this is choosing dental bonding over porcelain veneers. Bonding is a good material, but it’s just not strong enough and may only last a few years, compared to veneers, which are a very tough advanced ceramic whose lifespan can be measured in decades.
In addition to the materials used, the design and fit of your restorations can impact their lifespan. Poorly fitted restorations can fail early if they are placed so that they are put under excess strain.
Discoloration
Just as some materials are more durable than others, they can also be more stain resistant. The best dental restorations are highly stain resistant, even more so than your natural teeth, shedding staining compounds for years or decades. Lower quality dental restorations are more porous and easily stained. Again, dental bonding is vulnerable to staining while porcelain veneers are not.
Discomfort
To get the best cosmetic dentistry, your dentist has to take your bite into account. It’s important to make sure that restorations fit properly with your natural teeth. When you bite down, chew, or just rest your jaw, it should feel right. There should be nothing to make your restoration stand out from your other teeth in terms of comfort. And especially there should be no danger of developing TMJ as a result of poorly fitted dental restorations.
Damage to Your Natural Teeth
Poorly fitted restorations can fail because of the excess strain they’re put under, but they can also cause damage to your natural teeth. Some dental materials are so strong that when they are put in a bad relationship with your natural teeth, it’s your teeth that suffer.
Some dental restorations also cause damage to your natural teeth due to their design. Dental bridges, for example, are supported by your natural teeth, which can increase the risk of failure in one of your teeth. This is especially true if you have a cantilevered bridge, supported by just one natural tooth. Fortunately, dental implants are designed to fully support themselves without depending on other teeth for support.
élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry
10031 S Yale Ave #104
Tulsa, OK 74137