Safe Dental Procedures That Will Improve Your Smile

A famous song says, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” This song artistically describes something that most people have known for a long time. Your smile impacts the way other people see you and how other people treat you. It even affects how you see yourself. For this reason, cosmetic dentistry is more popular today than it has ever been. Here are some safe forms of cosmetic dentistry that can have a powerful impact on your smile.

With time, your teeth become discolored and stained. The problem is worse if you smoke, consume dark beverages, or use certain medications. Teeth whitening is a safe chemical process that your Waterloo family dental clinic offers as a way of making your teeth look their best. It is good to remember that teeth whitening is not permanent. If your teeth are exposed to the same substances that stained them in the first place, they can become stained again. The nice thing about teeth whitening is that the procedure can be repeated multiple times throughout your life. The best way to keep your teeth looking their best is to have a daily routine of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.

Dental bonding can improve the appearance of your teeth, especially if they have extra spaces between them or they are stained, cracked, or broken. Dental bonding is a material that is used to fill cavities in your teeth, or it can be used to protect an exposed root of a tooth. In most cases, a dentist can do this procedure in just one visit. They will use an etching solution and then use tooth-colored materials to cover the tooth where needed. Like tooth whitening, dental bonding is not permanent. It can last for several years, but it will typically need to be redone.

Veneers are made from porcelain or plastic. They cover the front side of the teeth to adjust their color or shape. Veneers can last for several years. They can help you if your teeth are permanently stained, slightly crooked, poorly shaped, or have chips in them. Before applying veneers, a dentist is going to take an impression of your tooth. They are going to clean the tooth thoroughly, after which they will cement the veneer in place. They will use a bright blue light to harden the cement, securing the veneer to your teeth. Veneers typically take two visits. During the first visit, the impression is made. During the second visit, the veneers are adhered to your teeth.

Crowns completely cover a damaged tooth. They give your tooth a normal shape and appearance. If your tooth is weak, if your tooth is worn down, or if it has a large filling, a crown may be used. Permanent crowns can last for decades if they are well taken care of.

When most people think about braces, they think about a teenager going through an awkward stage in their life while correcting their teeth. Now, people of all ages are using braces. Braces can fix an irregular bite and even correct jaw disorders. Braces will reposition your teeth over the course of a few months or longer. Braces come in different styles, including lingual braces that connect to the back of the teeth, hiding them from view.

Implants are a more extensive and involved cosmetic dentistry procedure. However, they offer a long-term, if not a permanent, solution for missing teeth. Implants can be used as opposed to bridges or removable dentures. Implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone. The actual implant is made of titanium. Titanium is used because the metal has unique properties that allow it to fuse to your bone. There is also an abutment. This is what sticks out of the implant and comes out of the gums. A crown is placed over the implant to give your tooth a natural feel and appearance.

There are a wide array of cosmetic dental procedures. If your teeth are too long or too short, if your roots are exposed, if you have an uneven gum line, or if you have indentations in your gums or jaw bone, there is a cosmetic procedure that can help you.