Many people are anxious about smiling due to cosmetic flaws in their teeth like chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. Sadly, this can make it harder for them to socialize and succeed at work, as people who smile generously are generally seen as friendlier, more trustworthy, more confident, and more approachable by the people around them. Luckily, cosmetic dental treatments that were formerly only available to the rich and famous can now be administered by your local dentist. Here are a few cosmetic dental procedures and how they can enhance your smile.
Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
If you’ve ever looked at a big-time Hollywood actor and envied their flawless teeth, it’s quite likely that their beautiful smile is no accident. Celebrities and media personalities have used porcelain veneers to transform their smiles for decades, and these treatments are now available at dental offices everywhere.
This procedure can be completed in as few as two appointments. During the first, your dentist will begin by administering a local anesthetic to render the process painless before removing a tiny amount of enamel from the treated teeth. They will then take bite impressions before placing temporary veneers. The impressions will be sent to a lab and you will be sent on your way.
You’ll come back to the office about two weeks later when your dentist receives your permanent veneers. Your temporary ones will be removed and your permanent ones will be cemented in place. After any final adjustments, you’ll be free to enjoy life with your new smile.
Dental Bonding Can Address Minor Flaws
During dental bonding treatment, your dentist will use a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to fill in or cover up flaws like gaps, stains, chips, and cracks, and the results are so lifelike that casual observers will not even realize that they are there. These treatments are quite affordable and can be completed in minutes during a routine dental appointment. To make things even better, the process is usually painless and requires no anesthesia.
See Your Smile Brightening with Teeth Whitening
Many people wish for a whiter smile. Luckily, your dentist can perform an in-office teeth whitening treatment in about an hour that can leave your smile up to eight shades whiter. After placing barriers in your mouth to protect your soft tissues, your dentist will apply a few coats of concentrated whitening agent to your teeth before treating them with a special light to activate the bleaching process. The results can last for several years with excellent care, and you can come in for touch-up treatments as needed.
Cosmetic dental treatments are a great way to beautify your smile and open up new professional and social opportunities. Consulting with your dentist can determine which of these treatments are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Pham earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine at Temple University School of Dentistry and advances her skillset through continuing education courses. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her office in Leesburg, VA offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact her office online or dial (703) 666-3867.