33^rd American Dentistry Congress

Dental Materials, Cosmetic Dentistry and Techniques

Dental materials are specially designed materials, in dentistry which includes Temporary dressings, Cements and Impression Materials used for protecting pulp canal, bond indirect restorations such as crowns to the natural tooth surface, and to build positive representation of teeth using negative imprints of the teeth and oral soft tissues.

Cosmetic dentistry is generally works to improve the appearance of teeth, gums and bite. It majorly focuses on improving the dental aesthetics in colour, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. Common cosmetic dentistry options includes

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  Adding of a dental material to teeth or gums – examples: bonding, porcelain veneers (laminates), crowns (caps), gum grafts


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  Removing of tooth structure or gums – examples: enameloplasty, gingivectomy


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  Not using dental material to tooth structure, or gums – examples: teeth whitening (bleaching), laser whitening, gum depigmentation


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  straightening of teeth followed by improvement in face appearance– orthodontics