Are you tired of seeing flaws like chipped, cracked, stained, or somewhat overcrowded teeth when you look in the mirror? Such aesthetic issues in your grin can impact your appearance and dental health.
Thankfully, your dentist can provide one or several services to completely makeover your smile to boost your confidence and your oral condition. If you’re on the fence about moving forward with elective procedures, continue reading to learn more about 3 popular treatments to discuss with your dentist at your cosmetic consultation appointment!
Treatment #1: Veneers
Veneers are a versatile way to address one or more imperfections in your teeth, including discoloration, fractures, chips, minor gaps, or mild misalignments. These thin, ceramic shells are cemented to the front surfaces of your teeth to hide problem areas and provide a perfectly even profile.
They’re customized to be the right shade, shape, and size for seamless results, but your dentist must remove a thin amount of enamel for them to fit correctly. This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, meaning this is an irreversible change to the structure of your teeth. However, veneers are coated with a glaze durable enough to resist additional damage that provides your teeth with an additional layer of protection. Plus, they can last 20+ years if cared for correctly, making them an excellent long-term investment.
Treatment #2: Dental Bonding
If you’re nervous about having your pearly whites altered in preparation for a cosmetic treatment, veneers might not be the best solution to meet your needs. Patients with similar aesthetic concerns in their grins who want a less invasive solution might do better with dental bonding instead. Unlike veneers, which function like covers to hide problems, this solution is more of a functional repair that can also be used to boost your appearance.
For this procedure, your dentist applies color-matched composite resin directly to your tooth I layers to mend or mask issues like chips, breaks, misshapen, or widely spaced teeth. Once they mold it into the ideal shape, they harden it with a special ultraviolet curing light so it bonds with the surface material. The finished product is a newly perfected tooth and feels natural.
Treatment #3: Invisalign
Crooked teeth can be problematic for several reasons. Not only might your self-esteem suffer, but they’re also harder to clean because all their surfaces may not be accessible. Unfortunately, this increases your risk of oral issues like cavities and gum disease.
Although braces are the tried-and-true solution for straightening smiles, many patients prefer to avoid the hassle and frustration of having metal brackets bonded to their teeth. Your dentist can reposition your grin with Invisalign, a clear alternative orthodontic treatment that utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to gently reposition them instead.
If you’re unsure of how to meet your smile goals, consult your dentist. They’ll provide suggestions based on your unique situation to help you enhance your appearance and dental condition!
Meet the Author
Dr. Molly Burton has 10+ years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain the most healthy, beautiful versions of their grins. She earned her dental doctorate at the University of Louisville and has completed ongoing training at prestigious organizations like the Kois Center in Seattle. Today, she provides a wide range of services to meet all your dental needs conveniently under one roof, including complete smile makeovers. Then, she utilizes state-of-the-art technology to deliver personalized treatments to improve your oral health and boost your confidence. You can request an appointment on the website or call (512) 441-2098.