If you have complaints about your teeth or gums, or you are just not satisfied with your overall smile, you may want to visit a cosmetic dentist. This dental professional can help you determine which procedure can help with any issues you may have. Common complaints that people have that the dentist can help with include misaligned, discolored, chipped, and misshapen teeth as well as gaps between the teeth or gummy smiles. The options available to you depend on a variety of factors, and it helps to understand what some of the cosmetic options are.
How a cosmetic dentist can help.
A cosmetic dentist has years of education and training to perform a wide range of services. If you come in with a specific complaint, such as stained or crooked teeth, the dentist can discuss what the most effective procedures would be.
Even if you have no idea what you want, but you do know that you want a better smile, a cosmetic dentist can help. The dentist can look at your teeth, gums, and mouth as well as your overall facial features. From this, the dentist can recommend which procedures would improve your appearance or fix minor issues that you do not even notice.
Common cosmetic procedures
To improve your smile and appearance, a cosmetic dentist may recommend one or a combination of procedures. Other considerations the dentist takes into the decision-making process are your goals and budget.
Clear aligners
A common complaint of many dental patients is crooked teeth. Although traditional braces are still commonly used and are recommended for severe misalignments, clear aligners are popular, especially for young professionals. Aligners are customized for each patient, they are barely visible, and they can be taken out for eating, brushing, and flossing. With regular use, the average time for teeth straightening using clear aligners is eight to 12 months.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a very popular and common cosmetic procedure. In-office professional whitening with a cosmetic dentist only takes about an hour, depending on the severity of the staining. Professional results last a long time, and patients often do not have to repeat the process for at least one year.
Dental veneers
Veneers are a popular procedure used to cover up issues like small gaps between teeth, discolorations, cracks, and chips. This method consists of cementing thin, custom-made composite resin or porcelain shells to the front of one or more teeth. Veneers are typically applied over two visits, and they can last up to 20 years with the proper care.
Bonding
Dental bonding covers up similar issues as veneers do, but they are less expensive and reversible. With porcelain veneers, the dentist has to remove quite a bit of the front enamel to affix the shells, which means the process is irreversible. Bonding also only takes one visit. The procedure consists of roughening the surface of the teeth, applying a resin material over each tooth, and then molding and shaping it for the desired result. It is then hardened with a light. Although a quicker process than veneers, bonded teeth do not last as long and need to be replaced sooner.
Gum reshaping
Some people may not like how their smile looks because there is excess gum tissue that makes the teeth look short. With gum reshaping, the dentist removes the excess tissue and contours the gum line, giving it a balanced and more aesthetically pleasing look.
If someone complains about teeth that are too long due to gum recession, the dentist may recommend grafting. This consists of taking excess tissue from elsewhere and grafting it to the recessed area. This reshapes and lengthens the gumline.
Implants
Dental implants are often recommended by a cosmetic dentist for missing teeth. Whether replacing one or more teeth, a titanium rod is inserted into the jaw. A crown is then placed on top. Because implants insert directly into the bone, there is a strong and stable foundation, and they prevent bone loss. Implants look and function like real teeth, and they can last a lifetime.
Conclusion
Most people are walking around with at least one small complaint about their smiles. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of aesthetic procedures that can improve the appearance of teeth and gums. A cosmetic dentist can determine what procedure would fix the issue, and the result is a brand-new smile as well as improved self-esteem and confidence.
Request an appointment or call Smile Fresh Dental at (248)-255-4585 for an appointment in our Auburn Hills office.
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