Did you know that people with aesthetic issues in their teeth are more likely to develop anxiety and depression? One of the first things others notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours is riddled with imperfections, you might be overly worried about being judged.
Thankfully, your dentist can provide one or more cosmetic services to improve your appearance and boost your self-esteem. Continue reading to learn 3 ways they can help you fix your grin!
Option #1: Brighten Your Grin
Even if you’re dedicated to brushing and flossing twice daily to strengthen your gums and enamel, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop discoloration. Repeated or prolonged exposure to darkly tinted foods like tea, coffee, wine, berries, and tomatoes can eventually take its toll on your enamel.
If yours appears more yellow or brown than pearly white, you’re not likely to make positive first impressions. Fortunately, your dentist offers professional services that can potentially lighten your smile by up to eight shades in a single, hour-long appointment. Many also provide take-home kits containing concentrated gels and custom-fitted applicator trays so you can achieve the desired results from the comfort of your living room in as few as two weeks.
Option #2: Hide Dental Flaws
Some patients have other issues they want to address, like chips, cracks, or stubborn stains that can’t be whitened away. If you’re frustrated by multiple concerns, you might be a good candidate for LUX no-prep veneers. These ultra-thin ceramic restorations are carefully customized to match the precise shape, size, and hue of your natural enamel. Then, they’re bonded over the front surfaces of your teeth to mask unsightly imperfections.
Unlike traditional veneers, which require that some of your enamel be thinned to fit correctly, these shells are thinner and don’t require the same irreversible preparation.
Option #3: Restore Damaged Teeth
No-prep veneers can hide specific issues, but they don’t actually mend or repair damaged teeth. If you want to restore injured enamel or reshape worn-down or stunted enamel, your dentist can help you achieve your goals with direct bonding.
This treatment involves placing color-matched composite resin directly on your pearly white in layers to rebuild the structure or reshape the portion that rests above the gumline. This is then hardened with an ultraviolet curing light, allowing it to bond with your enamel. This fix can last 5 to 10 years or more if properly cared for.
If you still feel unsure whether cosmetic dentistry is right for you, consulting with your provider can help you make informed decisions to enhance your smile.
Meet the Author
Dr. Colin Holman is passionate about helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to offer the most up-to-date treatments using the latest advancements in technology and techniques. He provides a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your family’s needs under one roof, including cosmetic procedures. If you want to upgrade your grin, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (405) 735-6600.
