Cosmetic dentistry has been one of Covid-19’s many victims and procedures have been canceled due to patients’ safety. But as we have adapted to this new way of living, so has cosmetic dentistry. In this article, we are going to take a look at the measures that cosmetic dentistry has taken to ensure your safety and introduce you to the safest cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles.
How have dentists changed their protocols to keep you safe during the lockdown?
Covid-19 has forced us to make some fundamental changes to our lives. From being quarantined and working from home to practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands obsessively, we all have developed new habits and with it, some new fears.
Like the fear of going to the dentist and catching the coronavirus. We know that the virus spreads mainly through respiratory aerosols and droplets and the dentist’s office is full of those. That is why most people argue that visiting the dentist during Covid-19 is dangerous, and they are not wrong. But postponing your dental visit for too long can be just as dangerous.
There is no doubt that Covid-19 has affected dentistry and it will take a few more years for us to see its true impacts, but dentists, like most businesses, have taken some measures to get back to work and enable people to receive the dental care they need. By following the new set of protocols published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dentists provide a safe environment for you and your families and tend to your teeth with the utmost care.
Here are some of these protocols:
- Appointments will be scheduled in a way that no more than one patient will be in the office at a time
- If other patients arrive sooner, they will be asked to stay in their cars
- Patients will be asked to come alone if possible
- Patients will see instruction signs upon entrance and the staff will take their temperatures
- The reception area will be sectioned off to minimized contact
- Dental staff are routinely checked and will be wearing protective equipment
- There will be air filtration systems in the office to capture the infected aerosols
- The office setting will allow for social distancing
- The office and equipment will be disinfected thoroughly between each patient
- Hard-to-clean areas will be covered with a barrier
You can see these protocols in the office of Dr. Kezian who is a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles. Dr. Kezian and his staff follow these protocols strictly and create a clean and safe environment for your dental needs. Even the ones related to cosmetic dentistry.
You can still seek the following cosmetic procedures
Your teeth have the power to either make you confident or ruin your self-esteem. Many people are wary of their smiles because they have discolored, chipped, or misaligned teeth. The quarantine and Covid-19 have not helped this situation either. In fact, according to an article, people are seeking more cosmetic dentistry procedures, because they have spent too much time examining their teeth in the mirror and they have extra money to spend on them from all the canceled travel plans.
And while cosmetic dentistry is elective, it can be safely done during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although it may take longer and the dentist might need to schedule virtual cosmetic consultations with you and the laboratory, you can still get that smile makeover. Below is a list of the most popular types of cosmetic dentistry procedures you can seek out today from a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles.
1-Teeth Whitening
Over the years, your teeth become stained and change color due to a number of reasons including food, drinks, medications, and bad habits such as smoking. Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is one of the most popular, basic, and affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures that can brighten your teeth’s color. Sometimes this bleaching process is used to make your teeth even whiter than they originally were.
Teeth whitening will be done in-office and it starts with the dentist cleaning the tartar, plaque, and other debris from the surface of your teeth. Then he will apply a hydrogen peroxide gel which will penetrate the teeth’s surface and break apart the staining compounds by a chemical oxidation reaction. The dentist might speed up the process using a white light. He might apply a fresh layer of gel for a few times to achieve the best results. The results can last from months to years and the dentist might suggest the use of at-home whitening kits to make it last longer.
2-Porcelain Veneers
Ask your cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles for “Hollywood teeth” and he will introduce you to porcelain veneers. Veneers are another popular option in cosmetic dentistry and a great choice for people who have crooked teeth or notable gaps and want a natural look. Also, your dentist will suggest veneers if your teeth are too discolored and can’t be restored to their natural whiteness.
Veneers are a thin layer of medical-grade porcelain that resemble the teeth’s natural color and are custom made for each patient. The process starts with the dentist preparing your teeth by removing half a millimeter of your enamel. Then he will place the laminates and cement the veneers to the front of your teeth using a dental adhesive and strengthening them with a white light. If you’re not too hard on them, veneers can last up to a long time and glamorize your smile.
3-Dental Implants
If you have missing teeth and don’t have any underlying conditions that can interfere with the process, dental implants are a great option for you. Dental implants are a natural-looking and functional replacement for your missing teeth.
The process starts with the dentist inserting titanium screws into your jawbone to act as roots for the artificial teeth that will be placed on them. The metal roots will be secured when your jawbone starts to heal and they will support your new teeth.
4-Dental Crowns
When your cavities are too large for an inlay or onlay, crowns are the next option. Crowns are porcelain, metal, or resin caps that cover an existing tooth and unlike dental implants, don’t extend beyond the gum line. Crowns can be used to protect worn and decayed teeth from further damage, hold broken or cracked teeth together, and change the color, shape, and appearance of your teeth.
The process starts with the dentist examining your tooth and preparing it for the crown. He might make the crown himself the same day or send an impression of your tooth to the lab to have it made. Then he will cement the crown and you can enjoy your new tooth.
5-Inlays and Onlays
When your cavities are too large for fillings but not large enough for crowns, inlays and onlays are used. These “indirect fillings” are a good choice when you’re teeth are not too damaged and there is a healthier ground to work on. Onlays cover the damaged cusps or corners of your teeth, while inlays cover the center area between the healthier cusps.
Inlays and onlays are made in the lab and the dentist will mold them onto your teeth after removing the decay.
6-Bonding
Bonding is a process in which composite resin with a color resembling your enamel is adhered to the teeth. Bonding can be used to repair the appearance of decayed, cracked, or discolored teeth. While bonding is one of the less expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures, it is less durable than other options such as crowns.
The process starts with the dentist removing the decayed parts of the teeth. Then he places the composite and shapes it onto the teeth, finishing with high-intensity light,
So is it safe to visit the dentist for cosmetic dentistry procedures during Covid-19?
Absolutely! While Covid-19 has put limitations on us, it for sure hasn’t stopped us. You don’t have to put off your cosmetic dentistry procedures any longer. Until a vaccine is found, the safety protocols are intensified and the procedures are going to take longer, but you can still get your smile makeover.
And if you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles, Dr. Kezian and his team are here for you. Dr. Kezian is an expert in the field of cosmetic dentistry and by offering flexible schedules and different cosmetic dentistry procedures, he will give you the beautiful teeth you’ve always wanted. Your health is Dr. Kezian’s number one priority, so by following the strict precautions, Dr. Kezian and his team will safely tend to your teeth and give you a new reason to smile confidently. So call the office of Dr. Kezian today and schedule your appointment.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS
443 N. Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 467-2777
http://www.drkezian.com
References:
- Dentistry Online – The ‘Zoom boom’ – how COVID-19 increased interest in cosmetic dentistry
- Dentistry iQ – Dentistry in the post-COVID health-care sphere
- Crest – What is Cosmetic Dentistry? Costs and Types