The great thing about advances in dental technology is that a healthy, beautiful smile is always in your reach. Cosmetic dentistry is a special area of dentistry that focuses on not only improving your oral hygiene but also making your smile more aesthetically pleasing to look at. You will look and feel better with cosmetic dentistry. The most common types of popular cosmetic dentistry procedures are teeth whitening, veneers, implants and dentures.

Whether if you have a chipped or missing tooth or if your teeth have yellowed with age, a cosmetic dentist can help you bring back your beautiful smile and your self-confidence. Don’t hide in the shadows anymore. Be proud of your smile.

Teeth Whitening

The most common complaint adults have about their teeth is that they are not as white as they used to be. Teeth tend to discolor with age even if you are always diligent with brushing, flossing and mouthwash and even if you stay away from food and drinks that can increase discoloration like red wine. Teeth whitening is a simple process that is a quick and affordable way to get a brighter smile, whether your teeth are really yellowed or only stained a little bit.

While there are at-home whitening kits, for the best results you should be treated by a cosmetic dentist who will use only the best and safest ingredients and procedures. If you try to whiten your teeth on your own, you may damage not only your teeth but also your health as well. The orthodontist will customize the treatment for your mouth so that you will feel less discomfort and achieve quicker results. By opting for a professional teeth-whitening, you will be able to start flashing those pearly whites a lot sooner than if you relied on those tooth-whitening toothpastes.

Veneers

If your concern is more about chipped teeth, then getting veneers, basically a thin layer of porcelain, put on those teeth will help protect and strengthen them. These chips if left untreated could lead to bigger cracks so it is not just an aesthetic problem. Veneers can change the color, shape, size and length of your teeth. The veneers will look just like your natural teeth and they will be bonded securely to your tooth. It is important to keep in mind that in order to add the veneer, a small part of your natural tooth will have to be removed. All of this can be done with only mild anesthetic and very little time out of your busy schedule. It is an easier solution then having to have a tooth pulled and veneers are very durable and easy to take care of. Keep in mind that some food and drink like red wine, coffee and tea may stain the veneers so you may want to limit your intake of these.

Implants

Missing teeth can really impact your smile and make you feel self-conscious, but you don’t have to live your life that way. Today implants can help not only the appearance but also the health of your mouth. Implants are more permanent than dentures and bridges and the best part is that none of the surrounding teeth have to be modified in the process. A dental implant is basically a post made of titanium that substitutes as a tooth root. The dentist will surgically position the implant into the jawbone below the gum line. Once it is secure, he or she can then either mount replacement teeth or a bridge to the implants. In order to be eligible for implants, your gums must be healthy and there must be enough bone to support the post. If the bone is too weak, you might need a bone graft.

Dentures

Dentures are another option for missing teeth and popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. If you have more than one or two missing teeth, dentures instead of implants are the more economical way to go. Dentures are basically fake teeth that you can remove to clean. Both partial and full dentures are available depending on how many teeth you have missing.

Tooth loss can happen from gum disease, tooth decay or injury. If you are missing several or all of your teeth, wearing dentures is essential not only for you appearance but your health as well. Without your teeth, it is very difficult to eat or speak and you may become embarrassed to be around other people. Also, your facial muscles can also be affected because without teeth they will start to droop. With dentures, you won’t have any of these problems.

There are two types of dentures: conventional, immediate and overdenture. Conventional dentures are the full set of teeth that can be inserted into your mouth after all of your teeth have been removed and your mouth has time to heal. Immediate dentures can be used right after the last teeth are removed so there is no wait time. The denture might have to be modified later after the jaw has time to heal. An overdenture goes over a few remaining teeth and serve a similar function as implants.

Keep in mind that wearing dentures does not mean that you don’t have to worry about oral hygiene anymore. The dentures themselves should be cleaned daily and you should also use a soft toothbrush to brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth. Plaque can still build up in your mouth and the tissue in your mouth needs constant circulation.

When choosing the right cosmetic dentist, make sure that he or she has the skills and enough years of experience in cosmetic dentistry to give you confidence that they can give you the results you desire. Before deciding on a cosmetic dentist, schedule a consultation so you can ask about what the best options are for your particular situation. Always ask to see before and after photos and references. Look in particular for those dentists who stay current on all the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry. Leaving a few teeth intact is better for your jawbone.