For a Brighter Smile: The Cosmetic Dentistry Options Available to You

Teeth are quite tough—they have to be considering how much punishment they go through day after day. However, even they aren’t completely resistant. It’s unavoidable for teeth to get damaged and stained. This makes people more hesitant to smile and show their teeth. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes in. Springfield, IL residents with teeth that aren’t as pristine as they’re supposed to be can seek help from the likes of Advanced Dental Care of Springfield to undergo cosmetic procedures that will make their chompers look brand new. Here are a few of the techniques available to them.

Whitening

One of the more common techniques a cosmetic dentist uses is teeth whitening. Teeth get stained or discolored for a variety of reasons, such as bad habits like cigarette smoking, eating and drinking food and drinks like coffee and soda, and natural discoloration by aging. There are a lot of home whitening kits available, but it’s better and safer for you to have your teeth whitening done by professionals. This is because the bleaching solution used in teeth whitening often has a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide; since the solution will be near your gums and mouth, they may end up getting inflamed. Let the dentist do it for you to assure your safety. After several sessions, your teeth will be as white as pearls.

Bonding

For actual tooth damage like chips, cracks, and gaps, your dentist may choose to apply bonding. It uses a composite resin to cover the damage. Once applied, it can last for several years. The resin is malleable enough that it can fill up small holes made by cavities and can make damaged teeth look like they haven’t been damaged at all. The main thing that the dentist does is to mix the bonding solution to match the color of your teeth, so that it look as natural as possible. No anesthesia is needed for the process and it can be quick to finish. Once the dentist is done, you can walk out of the clinic proudly smiling, showing off your newly-restored teeth.

Veneers

An alternative to bonding, applying porcelain veneers is often done for the same reasons: chipped and damaged teeth that need to be protected from more external damage. Veneers are thick shells that are placed over a prepared tooth so that it can look better. The main advantage of veneers is that they are similar to dental crowns in protecting your tooth while ensuring that it also look good. However, compared to crowns, veneers are a lot less expensive. Installing veneers require several weeks. First, your dentist prepares your tooth for the veneer. This usually involves shaving some of your tooth’s material so that your veneer can fit. Afterwards, a personalized veneer is crafted then applied to the tooth.
For more information about cosmetic dentistry and how Dr. VanderMolen and Advanced Dental Care of Springfield can help improve your smile, contact us today at (217) 717-4551.
Source:
Cosmetic Dentistry, DocShop
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?, KnowYourTeeth
Cosmetic Dentistry: Treatments and Trends, Consumer’s Guide to Dentistry