Cosmetic dentistry has made great strides over the years. In fact, history shows that it actually dates back thousands of years ago!
The Etruscans used gold to make dental crowns and bridges, and they made dentures with ivory and bone. The ancient Egyptians were known to place seashells into their gums to replace missing teeth.
Back in the year 1130, your barber was likely also your dentist. They would perform cosmetic services such as filing teeth and coating them with acid to make them whiter. In the next centuries, cosmetic dentistry went through many periods of trial and error as the materials for fillings, crowns, and dentures were perfected.
Here's what you can expect from your cosmetic treatments today.
Teeth Whitening
In 1989, two dentists thought of using carbamide peroxide as a whitening agent, and take-home whitening trays were born! Today you can choose between using take-home trays and an even faster option of whitening your teeth at your dental office for immediate results.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Though the material was developed in the 1960's, tooth colored fillings with composite resin didn't really take off until the 1980s when a light was invented to cure the material.
Now composite is a durable material that can be bonded to your teeth as a filling or to repair other cosmetic issues such as chipping, discoloration, and size discrepancies. Composite can also be custom shaded to match your teeth, so your dental work blends flawlessly with your smile.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers have actually been around since the 1930's when they came about as a temporary fix for movie stars. In 1982, they became a more permanent solution when they could be permanently bonded to teeth.
Today, porcelain veneers make a "Hollywood" smile accessible for all patients.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry for your smile, contact your cosmetic dentist in Concord, NH, at White Park Dental today.