Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished your smile was a little brighter or straighter? You’re not alone. A great smile can have a significant impact on your overall appearance, not to mention your confidence and self esteem. And with modern advances in dentistry making cosmetic procedures more commonplace, more and more people are turning to their dentists for cosmetic dental work ranging from basic correction to replacing missed teeth or completely recreating your smile.
Before you say yes to cosmetic dentistry, be sure to check credentials, ask lots of questions, and look at before and after photos.
Here are a few procedures to consider on your path towards a smile makeover.
Teeth Whitening or Bleaching
There’s no denying the appeal of a bright smile. Discoloration of teeth can be caused by a number of factors, from stains related to smoking or drinking coffee, to uncontrollable hereditary factors. Fortunately, bleaching is a common and relatively simple procedure whereby your teeth are whitened using a chemical solution or other technique. This procedure can be performed in the dentist’s office, or at home. For home bleaching, a custom mouthpiece is created to ensure the best results. In-office bleaching may require one or more sessions. If the color of your teeth is holding back your smile, contact us to discuss the best whitening option for you. You may end up wishing you did this years ago.
Contouring and Reshaping
Few people have perfect teeth. And over the years, we all notice things about our smile that could be improved due to the normal wear and tear of life. Contouring and tooth reshaping is used to correct small issues such as crooked, chipped, or irregularly shaped teeth. Best of all, these
Veneers
You’ve probably heard about veneers. They’re the thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are placed over the front of your teeth to change the color and shape of your smile. Veneers can literally cover a multitude of imperfections, from crooked alignment, to gaps, odd shapes and uneven spaces, dark colors and beyond. Consider veneers as an alternative to crowns. They last longer and are more stable than bonding, and they have the ability to really transform the aesthetic of your smile.
Dental implants
Losing a tooth can be devastating, but with modern advances in dentistry there are options available for countering the visible and emotional impact of tooth loss. One option is the dental implant. Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that will give you your youthful appearance and chewing function back.
Crowns
Crowns (or “caps”) are a great way to cover a tooth in order to restore its original shape and appearance—especially when other procedures aren’t considered effective. Crowns can require a fair amount of time to be created and placed, but they also have a really long life expectancy as far as cosmetic restorations are concerned.
Composite Bonding
Often called the “tooth-colored filling,” bonding is a fantastic material that can be used to fill small cavities or even fill in gaps or chips or change the color of teeth. Bonding work requires just one office visit, and the work lasts several years. If you’ve been wanting to replace your metal feelings to improve the look of your teeth and protect your health, ask about our bonding work. You’ll be so glad you did.
Smile Makeover Consultation
Want an opinion on your smile? Just ask. We’re happy to discuss your smile concerns, and talk about the best options available to you—not only regarding the way your smile looks, but also factoring in what’s best for the overall health of your smile.
