When you’re anxious about how others will perceive you, it’s hard to feel good about yourself. Having flaws in your teeth can leave you feeling so self-conscious that you try to remain tight-lipped or avoid interacting with others. Fortunately, your dentist can address aesthetic imperfections with cosmetic dentistry to boost your confidence. Before you can move forward, though, it’s important to establish what you’d like to improve so you can pick the right treatment. If you’re not sure where to start, keep reading to learn about 3 popular procedures that can upgrade your grin!
Treatment #1: Teeth Whitening
Having a bright white smile is considered an attractive feature, but years’ worth of consuming dark foods and drinks inevitably takes its toll. If you’ve noticed that your teeth are more brown or yellow than white, you might feel tempted to pick up an over-the-counter solution to reverse the effect. However, these solutions often contain overly abrasive ingredients and can cause tooth sensitivity.
Meanwhile, your dentist has access to professional-grade materials that work better while minimizing any potential side effects. Your provider can create a take-home kit using these top-quality materials along with a customized tray so that you can achieve a beautiful outcome from the comfort of your home.
Treatment #2: Dental Bonding
If your teeth have chips, cracks, discoloration, or minor gaps or misalignments then you could benefit from dental bonding. This is considered a non-invasive and effective way to mend or mask one or several imperfections at the same time.
To do so, your dentist will apply color-matched composite resin directly to your tooth, mold it into the perfect shape, and then harden it in place with a special curing light. It looks and feels natural so no one will notice the difference, and can usually be completed in a single, one-hour appointment. The results can last anywhere from 5 to 10+ years which makes this an incredibly efficient and long-lasting way to rid your grin of imperfections.
Treatment #3: Invisalign
Having overcrowded or crooked teeth can impact your oral health in addition to your appearance. Not only is it visually unappealing, but it also makes it harder to maintain them properly. It’s difficult to thoroughly brush and floss them if you can’t reach all their surfaces. Although traditional braces can straighten your smile, you might avoid them if you don’t want to deal with the potential awkwardness of having a mouth full of bulky brackets.
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional orthodontics that can reposition your teeth more discretely. It relies on clear plastic aligner trays that are placed over them to gently shift them to their ideal placements. These transparent aligners don’t draw the eye like glinting metal, and because you remove them for meals, there are no dietary restrictions. Typically, treatment lasts for a year although it may be more or less, depending on your circumstances.
Now that you know more about several exciting solutions, you can take the next steps toward achieving a perfectly stunning smile that you can feel proud of!
About the Author
Dr. Dustin C. Lively has nearly 30 years of experience improving the quality of his patients’ lives by enhancing their oral health. He completed his undergraduate education at Western Oklahoma State College and Oklahoma State University. Then, he earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Now, he finds joy in getting to know his patients and learning about their dental goals so that he can create individualized treatment plans to help them. His faith-based approach creates a warm and compassionate environment so you’re sure to feel comfortable throughout your appointment. If you’re interested in cosmetic services and would like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (580) 782-2552.