Everyone wants a beautiful smile, and cosmetic dental flaws hold many people back from confidently showing off their grins. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry offers many treatments that can fill in or cover up defects like stains, chips, cracks, gaps, and more. However, your mouth will have to be in good health to receive these treatments safely. Here are a few aesthetic dental treatments, what you need to qualify for them, and how your dentist can help you become a great candidate for cosmetic dentistry.
Teeth Whitening
Who doesn’t want a brilliantly white smile? Unfortunately, years of exposure to coffee, tea, red wine, sports drinks, colas, berries, colorful candies, and tobacco smoke can leave your teeth with stubborn stains and discoloration that won’t respond to normal dental hygiene measures.
Luckily, your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening treatments that can leave your teeth up to ten shades whiter. Teeth whitening can be administered through an in-office procedure that can be completed in an hour or a take-home kit that can be finished over two weeks. These treatments offer results that are far superior to those of any whitening product you could find at a store.
The whitening agent used in these treatments is powerful stuff, so your mouth will have to be free of tooth decay and gum disease for your teeth to be whitened safely and comfortably.
Porcelain Veneers
If you’re wondering why your favorite Hollywood stars all seem to have flawless smiles, the answer is probably porcelain veneers. These thin shells are designed to fit over troubled teeth while imitating the appearance of healthy enamel. This allows your dentist to completely transform your smile by permanently covering flaws like chips, cracks, gaps, stains, and more.
If a treated tooth has unaddressed tooth decay, the infection will spread and compromise the bond between the appliance and your tooth, causing the veneer to fall off. To receive porcelain veneers, you will need to be in good oral health.
How Can I Become an Excellent Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
If you have tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist is well-prepared to treat these issues. Tooth-colored fillings can stop tooth decay in its tracks and restore much of your smile’s natural strength. While gum disease can usually be reversed in its early stages by practicing proper oral hygiene, clearing it up in its later stages requires periodontal treatments such as scaling and root planing. If you’re interested in cosmetic dental treatments, consulting with your dentist can help you find the best path to a more beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Julie Young graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1986 and continues to expand her skill set through extensive postgraduate coursework. She proudly holds memberships in the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her office in Corte Madera, CA offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact her office online or dial (415) 924-5300.
