If you’re looking for a whiter, more beautiful smile, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry options to explore. Having a nicer smile can make you look and feel more attractive, and you’ll likely feel more confident as well. Many of these procedures also make your teeth stronger and healthier, so the benefits aren’t only aesthetic, either. Here are five of the best procedures I recommend to help you get a more beautiful smile.
- Braces or Invisalign
If the main problem with your smile is that your teeth are crooked, opting for braces or Invisalign is the best choice. Traditional aligners are still a very effective option that can help straighten your teeth, but now you also have the option of Invisalign dental aligners. Invisalign are clear aligners that are nearly invisible, making them a good choice for patients who don’t like the look of traditional braces, and I find that many patients prefer them because of this. - Teeth Whitening Treatments
Your teeth tend to discolor over time as the enamel wears down, but luckily, there are procedures to get your teeth back to being brilliantly white. There are two primary options: in-office teeth whitening and take-home kits. The in-office procedures has me apply a high-concentration peroxide gel that whitens your teeth after applying a protective shield. Take-home teeth whitening kits can be purchased from my office, and they include a lower-concentration gel that is safer for your mouth. Because it is a weaker concentration, this treatment is done over time, with trays usually worn over your teeth a few hours per day or overnight. - Veneers
Veneers are a dentistry practice that involves laying a protective shell over the front of your teeth to make them appear smoother and whiter. They are made from tooth-colored materials, and the exact color and shape can be specified to meet your needs. Generally, they are made of either porcelain or composite resin; my office can provide both options. Porcelain shells are longer-lasting and better at resisting stains, while composite resin is applied directly to the teeth and are less expensive, although they have a shorter effective lifespan. - Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns cover the entire visible portion of your teeth to make them appear healthy and whole. They are usually applied to chipped or broken teeth, and can help strengthen teeth as well as improving their aesthetic appearance. They can also be used to help teeth regain their original shape over time, and are generally made from porcelain.
Dental bridges, on the other hand, are used to fill gaps from teeth that are missing entirely. Gaps in your teeth are not only visually unappealing, but can also be problematic for your dental health, as the changes in your bite can cause your teeth to shift. There are three primary types of bridges, all of which can be applied quickly and efficiently at my office. Traditional, or fixed, bridges uses a crown on the teeth to either side of the bridge as an anchor, while cantilever bridges are used when teeth are only to one side of the gap. The final type, resin-bonded bridges, metal bands are bonded with resin to the surrounding teeth to hold the false tooth in place. - Bonding
Dental bonds are used to restore cosmetic damage to your teeth and can dramatically increase the whiteness of your smile. With bonding, tooth-colored resin is placed on a tooth and then exposed to ultraviolet light to seal it in place. It’s much less expensive than dental crown(s) or bridges; however, bonds don’t usually last as long as the other forms of dental restoration. Because of this, I recommend bonding be used for making small cosmetic corrections rather than repairing more serious damage.
If you’re looking for a whiter, straighter smile, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry practices to choose from. Make an appointment and stop by my office today to receive a free consultation with me, Dr. Rajabi. I will take a look at your teeth and suggest the cosmetic practice that I feel will be best for giving you the beautiful smile you deserve.