From subtle changes to major oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry techniques can treat an array of dental blemishes and problems including teeth that are discolored, chipped, missing, or misshaped. General dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on both the appearance and well-being of your teeth, mouth, and smile. With advancements in cosmetic dentistry, the dentists at Grady Dental Care have the ability to transform your smile.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Not everyone is born with a perfect smile, but thanks to the development of cosmetic dentistry, people can change the appearance of their teeth into a smile they love. Your cosmetic dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth and alter the length of your teeth. Some common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
- Teeth whitening and bleaching
- Bonding
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Contouring and shaping
Your dentist at Grady Dental Care will work with you to determine which cosmetic dentistry option is the best for your smile improvements.
A Restored Smile with Dental Veneers
If your teeth are cracked, stained, uneven or chipped, dental veneers may be the perfect option for transforming the most damaged smile. Veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front of your teeth. These thin, porcelain shells are custom-designed by your dentist to perfectly cover and match your natural smile to mask most any dental blemish, including stains and cracks. Compared to many treatment options, veneers will last a long time, up to 20 years, and correct the alignment of your smile by covering damaged or misshapen teeth.
A Brighter, Whiter Smile with Teeth Whitening
After years of drinking tea, coffee or soda, it is not uncommon for you to develop a discolored smile. Even bad habits such as smoking can darken your once white smile. With teeth whitening, eliminating stains and enhancing your natural pearly whites can produce dramatic results in as little as an hour. In-office teeth bleaching performed by a professional dentist involves applying a bleaching gel to the teeth and activating the whitening solution with special lighting for approximately 30 minutes.
Once the bleaching gel has penetrated the stains, it is rinsed off. Your dentist will provide you with trays, custom designed to perfectly fit your teeth so that you can continue the bleaching process at home with a less powerful gel. By using the gel and the trays on a regular basis, you can touch up and continue the bleaching process. Or, if some years later you notice your teeth shade fading, you can use the trays and gel to bleach again, without having to go through the in-office procedure.
Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their teeth. If you are one of the many people who desire a change in your smile, consult your cosmetic dentist for more information on your available options.
If you are interested in having a procedure done, contact your cosmetic dentist, Grady Dental Care today!