Cosmetic Dentist Can Give You a Smile Makeover

Being unhappy with your smile can impact how you view yourself and socialize. Cosmetic dentists understand this, so they are committed to providing patients with the smile of their dreams. They do this through smile makeovers. Smile makeovers are custom for each patient and encompass various services. Here are the five most common.

1. Dental bonding

Dental bonding is ideal for those with small chips or cracks in their teeth. It can even help close gaps. Dental bonding consists of ceramic material, which the cosmetic dentist layers and shapes over problem areas. The material allows easy manipulation before hardening, and the colors can closely match the color of the patient's natural teeth. After hardening, the material is durable, able to withstand biting forces, and protects the crack or chip from furthering, if applicable. Results can last anywhere from three to ten years with proper care.

2. Dental crowns

Dental crowns are ideal for those with larger cracks or holes, usually due to decay treatment. Though they are still custom and can use composite resin or porcelain material, they differ from dental bonding. Instead of requiring layering the material over the problem tooth, the crown takes the form of a cap. Therefore, it will fit snugly over the problem tooth—the material, whether porcelain or composite resin, can be closely matched to the surrounding natural teeth. With proper care, dental crowns can last upwards of 15 years.

3. Dental veneers

Many confuse veneers and false teeth. However, they are different and ideal for those with all their teeth. Dental veneers can completely change the appearance of a smile by altering the look of the teeth' size, shape, and color. The dentist uses composite resin or porcelain materials to layer them to the front surface of the teeth. Their design enables all impurities to be camouflaged and can last between 10 and 20 years with proper care.

4. Gum contour

Those unhappy with their smile due to excess gum tissue have a condition called a gummy smile. A gummy smile can cause the teeth to look smaller in appearance and even darken them over time, no matter what teeth-whitening products the patient uses. The cosmetic dentist will perform a procedure known as gum contouring. It involves removing excess tissue and shaping the remaining portions to become linear. Patients may want to consider professional teeth whitening at a later time to address the color differences.

5. Teeth whitening

Colored drinks such as fruit juices, coffee, or wine can cause teeth staining. The same applies to certain foods, such as candy, tomatoes, and berries. However, if the patient receives treatment for gum disease, the teeth can also have some discoloration left behind. Therefore, the cosmetic dentist will recommend professional teeth whitening, which can brighten the teeth up to seven shades from the natural teeth color. However, patients must remember that if they plan on receiving treatments or additional oral cosmetic services, they should tell the cosmetic dentist to time it perfectly. Some materials like porcelain and composite resin cannot be whitened once in the mouth.