How to Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is massively popular in the USA and the industry’s predicted to reach a net worth of $30 billion by 2025.

Are Americans simply obsessed with their teeth, or are there real benefits to having a beautiful smile?

If you’re one of those people who are unhappy with the current state of your teeth, you’ll agree that your smile can have a huge impact on your confidence.

Learn how to improve your smile and your life thanks to cosmetic dentistry.

How to Improve Your Smile Quickly

One of the quickest and best ways to brighten your look is by getting a professional cleaning from your dentist. This quick, painless, and inexpensive procedure helps remove stains and prevent tooth decay.

While your dentists clean your teeth they’ll also pick up on any problems with your teeth that might need attention.

If you want more than a regular cleaning can offer, you might want to consider cosmetic dentistry instead.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t only for appearance’s sake. Some of these procedures can also help you chew better, speak more clearly, and avoid TMJ headaches.

Cosmetic and family dentistry professionals often work hand in hand to help correct issues that could lead to more serious problems down the line.

These are the most common types of cosmetic dentistry:

Teeth Whitening

Everyone’s teeth discolor over time, but you can escalate this natural process by indulging in certain habits. Poor dental hygiene, smoking, drinking wine or coffee, and taking antibiotics can all cause tooth discoloration.

This procedure’s a straightforward fix that brings quick results and is one of the most popular ways for people to improve their smiles. It’s never a good idea to try and whiten your teeth using home remedies. You won’t get the results you want, and you could damage your teeth.

Tooth Straightening

Braces and aligners are also among the most common cosmetic dental procedures used today. Both are effective methods for correcting crooked teeth and are most often used to treat children.

Both these techniques involve making an initial mold or 3-D scan of the teeth to ascertain which ones need attention. Many patients prefer aligners as they’re transparent and more comfortable than metal braces.

However, braces are easier to maintain and best for use in extreme cases.

Tooth Bonding

This is one of the easiest ways to disguise cracks or stains on your teeth. Your dentist applies a bonding solution that matches the color of your teeth to the surface of your teeth.

It only takes one session to complete this procedure and the results could last for years if maintained properly.

Tooth Veneers

Veneers work best for people who have unsightly gaps between their teeth or crooked teeth. Veneers consist of a plastic or porcelain shell that covers the front of the teeth to create a uniform appearance.

Veneers last longer than bonding, but the procedure takes a little longer.

Enamel Shaping

This is an alternative to orthodontic treatment like braces. During this procedure, your dentist shaves down irregularly shaped teeth or overlapping teeth so that they align properly with the neighboring teeth.

Often enamel shaping’s used in conjunction with bonding to create the desired effect.

Bridges and Crowns

These treatments work for cases of severe tooth decay or damage. Crowns consist of a porcelain, acrylic, or resin cap that’s custom-molded to fit over the affected tooth.

They’re fused to your tooth with metal fusion and don’t come off when you bite or chew something. With proper care, a crown can last up to 15 years, but you’ll eventually need to replace it.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the Rolls Royce of cosmetic dentistry, offering a complete and long-lasting solution for missing or misshapen teeth.

Since they’re custom-made from scratch, your dentist can create implants to look exactly the way you want them to. They screw the implants into your jawbone surgically, so you need enough healthy dense bone in your mandibles to support this procedure.

Due to this, you’ll undergo an intense exam and an x-ray before you can opt for this treatment. It’s a long and involved process that can take up to 6 months to complete.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?

All medical treatments carry risks, but most cosmetic dental procedures are totally safe. If you opt for dental implants, this procedure comes with the usual risks associated with surgery.

The best way to ensure your safety and satisfaction with the results is to consult an experienced specialist in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?

Depending on the procedure you need and the condition of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can cost from $650 for a tooth whitening procedure to $45,000 for a full set of dental implants.

A recent survey shows that 96% of people believe that their social life improved after cosmetic dentistry. So, if that’s important to you, you probably agree that it’s worth every cent.

Now, thanks to advancements in technology and materials involved in dental procedures, it’s easier to find affordable cosmetic dentistry than ever before.

Safeguard Your Smile

The best way to avoid worrying about how to improve your smile is to maintain good oral hygiene all the time. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist regularly for routine check-ups.

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to health issues. So, if you’d like some more advice on how to safeguard your dental, mental, and physical health, keep browsing our blog.