Perhaps you have never even thought of having a cosmetic dental treatment, or maybe you’ve only undergone a basic cosmetic service like tooth whitening. Either way, if you have never explored cosmetic dentistry options, you may be missing out on some extremely beneficial treatments. Modern aesthetic dentistry can correct even severe issues, providing you with additional self-confidence and the freedom to show your smile.
Here are a few of the more popular cosmetic dental procedures and their uses.
Whitening
Tooth whitening is probably the most common cosmetic dental offering. Your teeth can become stained over time from food, wine, tea, tobacco, coffee, and even some medications. Patients will often first turn to grocery store whitening toothpaste, strips, or gel. However, these products are relatively low-strength and often do not produce the desired results.
Dentists have access to stronger whitening options. Some of these products are used in the dental office while others are designed to be applied at home. Professional-strength whitening treatments can lighten all but the deepest stains and whiten your teeth by several shades to a noticeable degree. Most products do not require a long application and sessions average around a half hour in duration.
Crowns
A dental crown has both therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Dentists use crowns to protect and reinforced damaged teeth. For example, a tooth that has several large cavities or is beginning to crack can benefit from a crown. The crown will help “hold the tooth together” and hopefully prevent the need for extraction or pulling.
Since a crown covers the entire visible part of a tooth, crowns can also make your teeth look great. Today, crowns are made of a material that mimics a natural tooth. So having a crown installed will cover fillings, chips, cracks, and discolorations, instantly giving you a perfect appearing tooth.
Veneers
Cosmetic veneers are another instantaneous method of correcting cosmetic problems. Veneers are a wafer-like material, often porcelain, that overlay the fronts of your teeth. They are attached via special adhesive and are intended to be permanent. Veneers are also quite thin, so they are not bulky or uncomfortable.
Some of the issues that veneers address include large gaps, deep staining or yellowing, and minor chips. Since a set of veneers covers all the visible parts of your teeth, they are like a new coat of paint on an old house. Veneers are a non-surgical and simple method of beautifying your smile, and they will last for years to come.