If you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your smile, there are several cosmetic dental options available to improve it. One of the most common options is teeth whitening, which can help remove stains and brighten the colour of your teeth. Veneers are another popular option; they are placed over the front surface of your teeth to improve their shape, colour, and alignment. If you are missing teeth, dental implants and bridges can be used to fill the gaps. There are also orthodontic treatments available to help straighten crooked teeth, close gaps, and improve the alignment of your smile. We’ll go into more detail about these cosmetic options and which ones can serve you specific needs and goals; however, it’s best to speak to your dentist about the best options for you.
Common Cosmetic Dental Services to Speak to Your Dentist About
Cosmetic dentistry is meant to not only improve your smile’s appearance but also to improve the functionality of your mouth. By addressing issues such as inflamed gums, cracked, chipped, or missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry can help patients feel more satisfied with their appearance. Here are some of the most common cosmetic dental services your dentist may discuss with you:
Teeth Whitening
This is one of the simplest, non-invasive procedures that involves removing stains and discolouration from the teeth, giving them a whiter and brighter appearance. Over-the-counter whitening products aren’t as effective as professional in-office treatments and aren’t as safe either since they aren’t being monitored. Teeth whitening can be done in different ways, for example, by laser or with peroxide-based bleaching agents.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite that are bonded to the front of your teeth after they’ve been prepared. They can be used to improve the appearance of chipped, stained, or misaligned teeth. Porcelain is a popular material because of its durability and natural-looking appearance and is a minimally invasive procedure; however, it is irreversible.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone, and a crown is then attached to the post to create a natural-looking replacement tooth. Not only can this option improve the appearance of your smile, but it can also help prevent teeth shifting, prevent jawbone loss, and ensure your lips and cheeks keep their structure.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
If you have damaged, decayed, or missing teeth, dental crowns and dental bridges offer numerous benefits. While they both protect and preserve the remaining tooth structure and prevent further decay and damage after being custom-made, they are a little different. Crowns are also referred to as caps, as they fit over a prepared tooth whereas a bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth with crowns being attached to healthy surrounding teeth to support the bridge. These are long-lasting solutions that can last for many years with proper care and can give you back some of your confidence and functionality.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a procedure that can improve the appearance of your smile if you have an excessive amount of gum tissue covering your teeth, making them appear shorter or ‘gummy’. Gum contouring reshapes the gum line to create a more symmetrical and proportionate smile. This procedure can also be beneficial for people with receding gums as it can create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing look, potentially resulting in improved self-confidence.
Invisalign® Treatment
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth invisibly, then Invisalign treatment may be for you. Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligners that are designed to correct gaps and alignment issues over the course of 12+ months, based on your specific treatment plan. The clear aligners will need to be updated every couple of weeks as your teeth start changing and shifting into their desired position. They need to be worn 22 hours of the day but should be removed while eating, brushing your teeth, or to be cleaned; however, they are comfortable and completely inconspicuous.
There are Many Cosmetic Dentistry Options Designed to Improve the Appearance of Your Smile
From teeth whitening and veneers to dental crowns and Invisalign treatment, dentists offer a range of cosmetic dental services to enhance the look of their patient’s teeth and help them achieve the smile they deserve. Cosmetic dentistry addresses issues such as discolouration, gaps, and missing teeth, and more. At DentiFlow in Thornhill, ON, cosmetic dentistry treatments are available to help you transform your smile. Contact the office today or book an appointment online to get started.