You may be feeling the effects today of your bad teeth, but nowadays, there’s no reason to keep that feeling going on if you can help it. Cosmetic dentistry as a field has grown a lot over the last couple of decades, and these advancements not only mean that there are options out there that look and feel like real teeth, but that they are also more accessible than ever. Different options are better for different scenarios, so let’s take a look at what is on the table:
The World of Cosmetic Dentistry
Move beyond dentures and bridges with some of these options that combine form and function for your teeth.
Veneers
In general, veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic material that get attached to the front surfaces of your teeth. There are several different types, and how they look and how long they last are contingent on how much you are willing to pay. The top of the line options are made of porcelain, with the best look and feel, meaning that you can eat and talk as normal, something that doesn’t always happen with other options.
A porcelain veneer can last as long as 15 years if it is well-kept. The alternatives are made with different types of materials, and are still useful, just not as much as the porcelain. Whatever you choose, you can extend the lifespan of your veneers by brushing and flossing, just like you would with regular teeth.
Whitening
This is one of the basic techniques of cosmetic dentistry, and has been around for a long time. Whitening, also known as bleaching, helps combat discoloration from a variety of factors, including:
- Wear and tear
- Medication
- Smoking
The process generally comes in two steps. First, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth. These are used to create clear, plastic trays for whitening solution. You will wear these trays with a special whitening solution for periods based on the current condition of your teeth. These can range from 30 minutes twice a day to an overnight period over a few weeks.
Implants
Do dental implants really qualify as cosmetic dentistry, or are they more for restoration. There’s more overlap in these two areas that you think. Dental implants not only offer appealing, natural looks for your teeth, but they can also help bring some added structure to your face.
So, how do they work? Technically, the implant isn’t what you see. The true implant is metal post or frame surgically set either on top of or inside the gums. Once the implant is set in place, your dentist puts a replacement tooth on top, the component that you see.
If you want to go for this route, be prepared for the long haul, a few months on average. The process includes taking molds of the teeth and jaw, surgery, and a follow-up to put the replacement tooth on the implant.
Where Do I Get Help?
At this point, you may be struggling with all the different options on hand, which include what you’ve just seen above as well as others. A cosmetic dentist is the best option for you, but there are other things to decide, like what type of dentist you like, how you are going to pay for this, and whether you just want to attend to one tooth or a series of teeth that need care at the same time.
Here’s the thing about your options. Ultimately, you need to think about what is best for you. This means running down the features and services of each dentist to decide what best fits your goals.
The Internet has made this easier than ever, and any dentist worth their salt has a website. Let’s look at the following as an example: https://coloradohealthysmiles.com/cosmetic-dentistry/.
Shortly after looking at the website, you can see that what type of cosmetic services it offers, the hours, and other important basic details that would potentially disqualify a dentist off your list.
Now that you know that, the next step is to talk about the things that you don’t necessarily know about, like how the office is kept, the way the staff interacts, or perhaps a specific plan for you. This is when the time comes to have an “interview” of sorts with your dentist, to see if they are the ones to take you on your cosmetic dentistry journey.
