If you dislike how your smile looks, there are plenty of solutions out there. Cosmetic dentistry covers a broad spectrum and allows patients to change their lives for the better. Treatment can help restore teeth that have been affected by trauma and disease and even correct flaws caused by genetics and aging. The most significant benefit has a smile that looks natural and makes you feel more confident about yourself.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are pieces of porcelain bonded on top of existing teeth to create an entirely new appearance. They’re usually used to cover up gaps between teeth, chips or cracks in teeth, discoloration, or poorly shaped teeth. This type of cosmetic dental work is a lot more affordable than you might think and it can be completed in as little as one office visit.
Full Porcelain Crowns
If there is damage to a front tooth, crowns or full porcelain crowns may be recommended by your dentist. A porcelain crown covers the entire visible surface of the tooth from the gum line to just below the top of the tooth. In some cases, an existing metal filling would be replaced with a porcelain cap shaped to blend into surrounding teeth.
Clear Braces
Unlike traditional braces, clear braces are practically invisible, so they allow people who wear them to have straighter teeth without anyone knowing about their treatment unless they tell someone first. The braces are made of transparent plastic, so they aren’t very noticeable.
Invisible Aligners
Clear and invisible, these aligner trays are worn over teeth to straighten them out gradually. By shifting teeth little by little, the wearer gets straighter teeth without anyone being able to see that they’re wearing anything but their regular oral hygiene items.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is when hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is used in a unique bleaching formula to make your teeth appear whiter than they are. This can be done in several ways, including custom trays you wear at home, in-office treatments, or take-home treatments that use LED light technology to speed up the whitening process.
Zoom Whitening
Zoom whitening is an in-office treatment that typically only takes about an hour to complete, making it one of the shortest dental procedures you can go through. This technique uses a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution to get teeth up to eight or nine shades whiter. It’s often recommended for patients looking for quick results before an upcoming event like their wedding day or vacation. It is a common treatment practiced in most dental clinics like Valley Wide Dental.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone so they can serve as anchors for artificial replacement teeth. If you’ve had an accident or injury that resulted in missing teeth, implants may be able to help restore your smile by using a custom-made replacement tooth that can blend right in with your natural teeth.
When you visit your cosmetic dentist for a consultation, they will ask you about your goals and concerns. From there, your dentist will devise a customized plan to help you achieve the smile that you’ve always dreamed of having. Cosmetic dentistry can even improve dental problems that aren’t necessarily related to appearance; for instance, specific treatments may fix issues like jaw pain or misaligned teeth, leading to tooth decay. The particular treatment recommendations will vary depending on the extent of the problem.
