Cosmetic Dentistry: The Guide To A Better Smile

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

The perfect smile boosts your confidence and self-image wherever you go. Sadly, many people face mild to severe dental conditions that require a dentist’s attention. That’s where cosmetic dentistry comes in. It entails various procedures designed to improve your appearance by altering your teeth’ shape, size, and alignment.

However, to get the perfect smile with cosmetic dentistry, you need a dentist who understands what needs to be done – someone with the tools, skills, and experience to get the job done right. If you are someone who needs dental tools, you can try and visit ArtCraft Dental. Dental clinics such as My Dental Home, Dr. Kevin Brown & Associates offer a vast collection of cosmetic dental services, including veneers, tooth whitening, cosmetic recontouring, and bonding.

Oral hygiene is the first thing everyone focuses on to keep their smiles healthy, but it may not work alone in some conditions. If you previously suffered past illnesses, hard impacts, accidents, or stubborn dental conditions that may have weakened or misaligned your teeth, you may need cosmetic dentistry to rectify the problem. Here’s a brief guide on what to expect.

Orthodontic Dentistry

Orthodontic dentistry is a special branch of dentistry that aims at correcting misaligned or malpositioned teeth. Many people have straight teeth and normal bites, while others face a hard time living with crooked teeth and abnormal bites. The good news is that you can fix such problems with orthodontic dentistry.

Orthodontics involves using appliances to shift teeth into their rightful spaces gradually by applying the right pressure. For instance, braces and aligners can be used for a couple of months or years to move your teeth slowly into their rightful position. 

Orthodontic dentistry is used to treat many dental problems, including overbite, underbite, open bite, crowding, and misplaced midlines. 

Teeth Whitening

Dull, stained, discolored teeth always get in the way of a perfect smile. While there are several causes of tooth discoloration (including poor dental hygiene, the use of tobacco products, aging, genes, etc.), you can consult your dentist to find out what treatment options are available for your condition.

Tooth whitening aims at removing stains and discoloration. For instance, if you’re having a hard time dealing with intrinsic discoloration (staining below the tooth surface), your dentist may recommend a whitening toothpaste brand or a more advanced approach such as veneers.

Fortunately, teeth whitening may not always require advanced technology since several teeth whitening products are available at the local store. This includes bleaching products, whitening toothpaste brands, whitening strips, whitening gel, and much more. If these products fail to work, you might need more advanced treatment.

Veneers

Veneers are a versatile treatment option used to fix badly stained teeth that can’t be whitened with bleaching. Veneers can also be used to correct crooked or misshapen teeth and large gaps for a more appealing look. 

There are two major types of veneers, including porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are strong and durable. They also have a natural-looking surface that doesn’t stain easily. Resin veneers, on the other hand, are easy to fix when damaged.

Remember, veneers are not always suitable for everyone. Your teeth may only require a minor or more advanced procedure depending on the current condition and what you want to achieve. It would help if you talked to your dentist first. Explain the results you want to achieve, and he/she will recommend the most suitable treatment option. 

Invisalign

Invisalign treatment involves using nearly invisible custom-made aligners designed specifically for your teeth. Since they have no wires or metal brackets, Invisalign aligners are more comfortable. They can also be removed when eating, brushing, or on special occasions.

Metal braces deliver tangible results but sometimes, they might feel uncomfortable or too bulky for the beautiful smile you want to achieve. Some patients also feel that Invisalign is a much more comfortable option compared to braces.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Nothing beats oral hygiene when it comes to keeping your smile healthy. Simple routine acts like brushing your teeth help prevent oral diseases, keep your gums healthy, and minimize your dentist visits. Here’s how to get started with oral hygiene.

  • Brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste
  • Use mouthwash
  • Eat healthy foods, e.g., fruits, carrots, and avoid sugary stuff
  • Floss regularly
  • Visit the dentist at least twice a year

A visit to the dentist every once in a while is a big plus to your oral hygiene. Trained, qualified, and experienced dentists have a vast knowledge of dental problems facing today’s generation. Through clinical examinations, they can diagnose the problem and use advanced technology to find an effective treatment plan just for you.