Have you ever thought about the changes you’d like to make to your smile if you could? Pretty much anyone you meet wants to feel great about how their teeth look. Fortunately, if you aren’t comfortable with your smile right now, there are a variety of cosmetic options out there that can transform the appearance of your pearly whites to help you accomplish your smile goals. Continue reading to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and what you should know before making the commitment.
Why Do People Seek Cosmetic Dentistry?
Even though cosmetic dental treatments are usually elective, they still have a variety of benefits besides improving your appearance. Patients end up with a boost in self-confidence and even end up with a healthier smile. For instance, by opting for a metal-free restoration, like a tooth-colored crown or dental veneer, you can protect a tooth while also improving its appearance. Cosmetic dentistry can be used to fix teeth that are chipped, stained, discolored, cracked, misshapen, misaligned, and gapped!
What Should You Know Before Cosmetic Dentistry?
To determine whether or not cosmetic dental treatment is a good option for you, you will need to know exactly what you want to change. It’s easy to say that you want a more beautiful smile, but you will need to be more specific than that. The more precise you can be with your description, the easier it will be for your cosmetic dentist to work out a treatment plan that will help you to achieve your smile goals. For instance, if you have gaps and staining, tell your dentist that you would like to have teeth that are less spaced out and more uniform and white in color. This way, they can have specific recommendations to help you achieve your smile goals.
What Types of Cosmetic Procedures Are Out There?
Here are some common cosmetic treatments that your dentist provides:
- Veneers: This may be the answer if you’re looking to eliminate multiple imperfections at once. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the front surface of the tooth to cover discoloration, small gaps, chips, slight misalignment, and the appearance of misshapen teeth.
- Direct Bonding: This natural-colored composite resin quickly repairs minor flaws in just one appointment. All your dentist needs to do is apply it and sculpt it to repair cracks, stains, chips, or gaps.
- Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening that gives patients better and faster results than anything you can find in stores. This way, you can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home with dramatic results.
- Gum Recontouring: Oversized gum tissue can make teeth appear smaller than usual. It can also make your gumline appear uneven. Both of these issues can be resolved with gum recontouring. In this case, your dentist will use a soft-tissue laser to give your smile a more proportionate appearance.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not cosmetic dentistry is right for you? Schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. Together, you can come up with a treatment plan that’s right for you!
About the Author
Dr. Hal M. Lippard earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis where he was awarded the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship. Following dental school, he spent four years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and had an informal general dentistry residency at Lyster Army Hospital at Ft. Rucker, AL, studying prosthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to schedule a consultation at his office in Charlottesville, visit his website or call (434) 293-9311.