A radiant smile doesn’t always happen naturally. Broken, discoloured and crooked teeth are some of the reasons why most people lack confidence in their smile. The good news is, quality cosmetic services can help you restore or achieve a picture-perfect smile. Whether you want to restore a damaged tooth or need a complete smile makeover, finding the right procedures is the key to optimizing your self-confidence and health.
Available Cosmetic Options
Radiant smiles help project health, sincerity, youth as well as success. There are many techniques used today to sculpt and shape a smile until you are delighted with the way you look and feel. Multiple cosmetic procedures may be required depending on your condition and specific needs. A smile makeover often includes making the teeth straighter, whiter and brighter. For this purpose, you may need the following procedures:
- Implant treatment
- Bonding
- Porcelain veneers
- Orthodontic treatment
- In-office and take-home teeth whitening
Cosmetic dentistry uses treatments that are designed to restore and improve the beauty of your smile. Needless to say, a more attractive smile can make you more confident in everyday life as well as improve your oral health.
While the term cosmetic makes cosmetic dentistry sound like a luxury, the treatment is vital. It not only impacts your smile positively but also improves essential oral health. All in all, you will still need a regular hygiene routine and periodic exams to maintain your new bright smile.
Choosing the Best Cosmetic Treatment
To find the right cosmetic treatment, you will need to discuss your goals with a dentist. The dentist will let you know if the kind of results you want are achievable or not. It is also during the discussion that the dentist will let you know if you will need a single treatment or multiple services. Your dentist will review a list of options in order to help you make the most informed choice.
The second thing your dentist will do is perform an initial evaluation of your overall oral health. This helps spot underlying concerns that may hinder or obstruct a selected cosmetic procedure. If everything is okay, a custom treatment plan will be developed. This will include the expected timeline, aesthetic goals and budget.
After the consultation, the dentist will create a digital model of the enhanced smile. This digital model visually represents your treatment goals. This will help indicate how you will look at the end of the procedure.
Advantages of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a fast and inexpensive treatment that gives you a natural look without sacrificing the structure of the original tooth. To determine if bonding will be ideal for you, you need to consult with a dentist. The dentist will let you know if you are a suitable candidate. If your oral health is good and you simply need minor repairs, bonding will offer these benefits.
- Multi-purpose
Dental bonding addresses several cosmetic concerns. It can repair cracked or chipped teeth and restore discoloured teeth. It is also a perfect alternative to metal fillings because dental bonding is natural-looking.
- Budget-friendly
Bonding uses fewer materials and requires less time spent on the dental chair. This is what makes it cost-effective. Veneers and crowns take much longer and are expensive. This is mostly because they have to be custom-made from porcelain.
- Quick
Dental bonding can be completed within a single visit. The whole session can last less than one hour, and you will be able to leave the dentist’s office without any discomfort.
- Look natural
The best thing about dental bonding is that it gives natural-looking results. The material used matches your natural teeth’ colour. It will be near impossible to distinguish the natural teeth from the bonded ones. For this reason, bonding is used to treat discoloured teeth that are not responding well to whitening treatments.
- Minimally invasive
Minimal tooth preparation is required. The dentist uses a special gel to roughen the target tooth surface so that the bonding material adheres to it. Once the material is attached, it is hardened using ultraviolet light. The tooth bonding is then shaped and polished to achieve a natural look. The final result is a tooth that blends well with the other teeth and gives you a bright smile.
Using Veneers to Transform Your Smile
Dental veneers are usually thin porcelain shells that are designed to cover the front side of the teeth. Veneers are popular due to the fact that they are very durable and provide a natural white look. Veneers can further be customized to fit the shape, size and colour that you desire. As a result, veneers are used to treat a wide range of issues.
The dentist starts by taking an impression of your teeth. This impression is used to make custom-made veneers. On the second visit, your tooth will be prepared by reshaping and buffing the surface. A special bonding cement will be used to attach the custom veneer to your tooth.
While veneers are durable, you have to practice proper oral hygiene. You must never use your teeth as a tool, avoid foods that stain teeth and never miss a dental checkup.
Teeth Whitening: The Best Way to Brighten Your Smile
Unless you are able to avoid foods that stain the enamel, over time, your teeth will lose their bright white colour. Since most of the available foods and drinks cause tooth discoloration, teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments today. The treatment relies on a professional-strength gel to lighten or remove stains. The objective is to give your teeth a bright, natural shine.
The advantages of teeth whitening include the following:
- Eliminate everyday wear and staining
- Renew the colour of your teeth which may have been affected by fluorosis
- Eliminate yellow and brown stains caused by smoking and medication
While over-the-counter teeth whitening products like strips are available, these products are not as effective. Professional teeth whitening is more effective. This is for the simple fact that unlike strips that have to be applied frequently, professional whitening procedures are required less often and offer long-lasting results.
Modern teeth whitening treatments make your smile brighter and better. The whitening gel also contains potassium nitrate, which strengthens the enamel as well as reduces teeth sensitivity. You can count on a faster treatment as well as less sensitivity and dehydration.
The Teeth Whitening Procedure
- Your dentist will begin by ensuring your gums and teeth are healthy enough for the whitening procedure.
- Thorough cleaning will be done to remove debris. The dentist will also take photographs to record the current colour of your teeth.
- A coat will be applied to protect your gums. The dentist will then apply the whitening gel.
- The gel will be removed after 15 minutes. The dentist will then check the progress, and then the gel will be applied two more times at intervals of 15 minutes.
- The dentist will then rinse and clean your mouth and take photographs to show the change in colour.
The procedure takes less than 90 minutes. You will need to care for your whitened teeth by avoiding foods and drinks that stain the enamel. These foods include coffee, teas and wine. You also need to use toothpaste that is designed for persons with sensitive teeth. Most teeth whitening gels contain additives that reduce teeth sensitivity. To maintain the shiny results, you will need to repeat the teeth whitening procedure at least once each year.
5 Habits to Maintain a Beautiful Smile
- Brush twice a day and floss every night
Brushing before bed and in the morning keeps plaque from accumulating and turning into tartar. You should also consider brushing after taking a meal high in carbohydrates or sugar. You, however, need to avoid brushing after drinking soda or orange juice. The high acid content may be abrasive to your tooth enamel. Flossing daily helps reduce the development of cavities.
- Visit the dental office at least twice every year
Regular dental visits are the key to maintaining a healthy and bright smile. Keeping these appointments enables the dentist to find early signs of decay and treat other problems fast. Missed dental visits can lead to complex problems or dental emergencies.
- Brush often or use a straw
Tea, coffee, wine and other darkly pigmented drinks are known for staining teeth. Using a straw when possible and brushing as soon as you take these drinks can help prevent stains.
- Wear a mouth-guard
If you are active in sports, you should consider wearing a mouth guard to prevent dental-related injuries.
- Consider orthodontics
You can correctly align your teeth discreetly with clear braces. Your dentist may give you a professional take-home whitening gel to use after the final aligner tray.
Talk to a Professional
Whatever cosmetic dental treatment you need, it is always good to get a professional assessment and get a precise treatment plan. You don’t have to live with crooked, broken or discoloured teeth anymore. Cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve a bright smile and build your confidence. If you need cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Adam Chapnick is here for you. Get in touch to find out more. Visit our website https://www.chapnickdental.com/ or call 647-504-4407 to book an appointment.
