Everyone wants to feel confident when showing off their smile. However, if you have imperfections that litter your teeth, it is easy to feel self-conscious when saying “cheese” to the camera. Fortunately, there’s a wide array of cosmetic solutions available that can help you achieve a smile that you’re proud to present to the world. Read on to learn more about cosmetic dental treatment so you can make an informed decision about the future of your smile!
Why Do People Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dental procedures are elective, but they have numerous benefits besides making your smile appear more healthy. Not only do patients tend to have a boost in self-confidence, but it also protects your teeth from future dental damage as a result of misalignment or other problems. Most of the time, people opt for cosmetic dentistry to correct teeth that are:
- Chipped
- Cracked
- Stained or discolored
- Gapped
- Misshapen
- Misaligned
What Should You Know Before Committing to Treatment?
Before you can determine whether or not cosmetic dentistry is the best option for you, it’s important that you decide exactly what it is that you want to achieve. The more specific you can be, the better that your dentist will be able to help. Do you want your teeth to be whiter? Are you unhappy about gaps? Is there a chip or two that needs to be corrected? Knowing exactly what you want is key to getting the results you’ve been dreaming of!
Which Cosmetic Treatments Are Available?
There are all sorts of procedures to choose from. Here are some of the most common treatments in cosmetic dentistry:
- Teeth Whitening: Discoloration can happen for a number of reasons. Using a professional bleaching gel, your dentist can help to reduce surface discoloration that has occurred as a result of pigmented food, smoking, or simply just getting older.
- Veneers: This is often the ideal treatment solution for all sorts of cosmetic issues. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the front surface of the tooth to eliminate discoloration, small gaps, chips, slight misalignment, and the appearance of misshapen teeth.
- Dental Bonding: This affordable procedure involves using a tooth-colored composite resin to correct teeth that are cracked, chipped, stained, misshapen, and more!
- ClearCorrect Clear Braces: ClearCorrect uses a series of clear aligners to straighten teeth as opposed to metal brackets and wires. They are virtually invisible and can correct a variety of misalignment issues.
If you’re considering fixing up your smile, the best thing you can do is talk to your cosmetic dentist. They will be able to give you the best advice moving forward with your smile transformation!
About the Author
Dr. Joe Ornelas earned his dental doctorate from the Indiana University School of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, Northwest Indiana Dental Society, Laporte County Dental Society, and Master Series Study Club. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Crown Point, visit his website or call (219) 663-2892.