What do you notice first when meeting someone new? About 76% of people base a first impression on someone’s smile. Unfortunately, three in five people hate their own smiles!
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile, consider a family cosmetic dentistry appointment. Your entire family can improve their dental health just in time for family photos!
Read on to learn more!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry can help fix an array of aesthetic concerns, including:
- Gummy smiles
- Gaps between teeth
- Discoloration
- Misaligned teeth
- Fractures/chips
Repairing aesthetic concerns can also benefit your dental health. For example, teeth whitening treatment can brighten your smile. It also removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar, reducing your risk of decay.
Other benefits include:
- Enhancing smiles
- Boosting self-confidence
- Concealing cracks and chips
- Creating balanced smiles
- Improving the shape of teeth
- Brightening dull teeth
Before choosing a cosmetic dentistry treatment, schedule a consultation appointment. You can discuss your concerns and goals to choose procedures that suit your needs.
General vs Cosmetic Dentistry
General dentists are primary dental care providers. They prioritize preventative care and restorative dentistry.
Treatments at your general dentist’s office include teeth cleanings, fillings, crowns, and bridges. These treatments help restore the appearance and functionality of your teeth.
Cosmetic dentists, on the other hand, focus on beautifying your smile. Their treatments can improve the appearance of your teeth and gums.
Anyone can undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments. Ideal patients should have healthy teeth and gums. If you or a family member has a cavity or gum disease, visit your general dentist first.
Once you have a healthy smile, you can explore cosmetic dentistry options.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
The cosmetic dentistry industry could grow by a rate of 13% between 2022 and 2030. More people are opting to improve the appearance of their smiles. Knowledge of new techniques and procedures has encouraged more people to seek treatment.
These treatments can help your family maintain beautiful, symmetrical smiles. Schedule a consultation appointment to determine which treatments suit your needs.
Here are a few cosmetic dentistry procedures your dentist may recommend.
Teeth Whitening
Certain foods and beverages can cause your teeth to appear discolored over time. These include berries, tomatoes, coffee, and tea. If you’re unhappy with the color of your smile, talk to a cosmetic dentist.
Do-it-yourself at-home whitening kits aren’t effective. Some can cause damage to your teeth or make them sensitive.
UV whitening kits can bleach your teeth unevenly. Some cause oral issues, including toothaches and infections.
Your cosmetic dentist can safely whiten your teeth. Brightening your smile can help you make a great first impression. Your dentist may also send you home with effective at-home kits you can use.
Whitening treatments only work for your natural teeth. If you plan to receive bonding, veneers, dentures, or crowns, schedule a whitening treatment first.
Effects can last anywhere from a few months to a year based on your oral hygiene habits. You can touch up your treatment to maintain your results.
Dental Implants
Visit your local cosmetic dentist if you’re missing a tooth. If left unattended, the surrounding teeth will shift toward the gap. Your entire smile could appear crooked.
Implant dentistry can restore your smile. Your cosmetic dentist will surgically place a screw-like implant into your jawbone. The implant, which functions as the tooth’s new root, ensures your jawbone receives stimulation.
Without stimulation, the jawbone can degrade. You may notice changes to your facial structure. Wrinkles could also form.
Once the implant is placed, you’ll need to give the surgical site time to heal. After this process (osseointegration) is complete, your dentist will place a crown atop the screw.
The crown will give the restoration a natural, realistic appearance. Your dentist can even match the crown’s color to that of your existing teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are custom-made shells that are attached to the surface of an existing tooth. These thin shells can restore your smile. Veneers are ideal if you’ve sustained minor damage to a visible tooth.
During the procedure, your cosmetic dentist will need to file the tooth down. This creates space for the prosthesis and ensures it adheres to the tooth.
It’s important to note that this procedure isn’t reversible. However, your veneers should last for about 20 years with proper maintenance.
If you’ve chipped a tooth, visit your cosmetic dentist to discuss treatment.
Gum Contouring
Some patients are born with excess gum tissue, leading to a “gummy” or unbalanced smile. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend gum contouring treatment.
During the procedure, they’ll remove your excess gum tissue. They can reshape your gum line to give it a more symmetrical appearance.
Dental Bonding
Some teeth can have chipped edges or appear a different shape than the surrounding teeth. In some cases, these visible issues can also affect your bite.
If you don’t chew food thoroughly, your digestive system will have to work twice as hard to break down food. You could experience stomach aches and other digestive issues. If a tooth is affecting your ability to chew, visit your cosmetic dentist.
Dental bonding can help correct these irregularities. Your dentist will use resin to adjust the tooth’s shape and appearance. This procedure can also help if you have a chipped or cracked tooth.
The resin used for dental bonding procedures isn’t as strong as your natural teeth. If it sustains damage, visit your cosmetic dentist. They can reapply the resin as needed to restore your smile.
Smile Makeovers
Instead of addressing one concern, some patients opt to completely transform their smiles. A smile makeover is a multidisciplinary procedure. Your dentist can recommend treatment options, including:
- Composite bonding
- Teeth whitening
- Gum contouring
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Dental implants
The procedure will help you achieve a stunning, healthy smile. This option uses a holistic approach.
Consider Family Cosmetic Dentistry Today
A family cosmetic dentistry appointment can get your entire family grinning from ear to ear! Consider scheduling a consultation appointment. With help from your local dentist, you can determine which cosmetic dentistry procedures suit your needs.
Eager to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can improve your dental health? We’re here for you.
Contact us now to schedule your upcoming appointment!
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