If you're embarrassed about an uneven gumline or missing teeth, dentistry can offer solutions that go beyond simply concealing your smile.
Crowns, bridges, and dental implants can improve the appearance of your smile and help maintain bite strength while preventing infection, misalignment, uneven wear, tooth or jawbone loss, and other issues.
Here are some of the most in-demand dental procedures.
1. Teeth Whitening
Many people who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile experiment with at-home whitening products such as trays, strips, or toothpaste, but results can be slow to appear.
In-office teeth whitening produces more visible and faster results. Professional teeth whitening can help to reduce yellow-to-brown staining caused by years of drinking coffee and eating acidic foods. Teeth are lightened during a series of in-office procedures, and the results can last for months depending on how well you care for your teeth afterward.
2. Veneers
Veneers provide more immediate and noticeable results in creating a whiter, more even smile. As a result, more patients are requesting this cosmetic dental procedure to improve the appearance of their smiles.
Veneers are thin ceramic shells that are permanently bonded to the front of each tooth. The material can be used to hide an uneven shape, cracks, spacing issues, mild alignment issues, and moderate discoloration. Before the veneer is secured, a tiny bit of enamel is removed during the procedure. Veneers may last for at least ten years if properly cared for.
3. Cosmetic Bonding
Bonding is the process of applying a resin compound that is the same color as the tooth to conceal minor cosmetic issues such as hairline cracks, small chips, and discoloration. The resin can also be used to reshape the tooth to hide imperfections and create a more uniform smile.
Unlike veneers, enamel does not need to be removed before applying the compound. Dental bonding does not last forever, and you may need to redo it after five years.
4. Crowns
Crowns are both cosmetic and restorative. They can help to improve the appearance of a tooth by smoothing out jagged edges or concealing cracks, as well as ensure a more even bite strength. Crowns also aid in the prevention of more serious dental issues that may arise as a result of ignoring a chipped, cracked, or damaged tooth.
Porcelain, metal, or ceramic are frequently used in these restorations. Crowns are secured to the top of the tooth's present structure and may be added after a root canal to remove infected pulp, whether you are a good candidate for traditional or same-day.
5. Implants
Dental implants, like crowns, help to improve your smile and bite strength. Getting implants is a surgical procedure to replace one or more missing teeth.
A titanium post is inserted into the jawbone, after which the rod is secured to the bone for several weeks or months. Once this stability is established, the post will be crowned. Implants can be a time-consuming procedure, especially if bone grafting is required beforehand.
6. Invisalign and Braces
Most people associate Invisalign and braces with the correction of misaligned teeth during adolescence, but adults can benefit from these procedures as well:
- Invisalign or clear aligners are a less well-known treatment option for moderate alignment issues. Trays are replaced every few weeks as your teeth are guided back into their natural positions.
- Braces aid in the correction of more serious alignment and overbite issues.
7. Gum Contouring
Even if your teeth are straight, a gummy smile can make you feel self-conscious. A more balanced gum line can be achieved through gum contouring or gingival sculpting. Excessive or uneven gum tissue can be manually or laser-removed.
