There are many aspects to your smile that make it attractive, but if one or more of them are missing, it can have the opposite effect. If you’re unhappy about the appearance of your grin and are searching for a way to improve it, cosmetic dentistry can help. Here are four common dental flaws, and how your dentist can help correct them!
Yellow / Discolored Teeth
Removing stains and discoloration from your smile is one of the fastest and most effective ways to improve it. A bright, white grin can take years off your appearance, and convey confidence and approachability, all of which can improve your self-esteem. With professional whitening from your dentist, you can remove up to eight shades of discoloration in about an hour for in-office treatment and around two weeks with a custom take-home kit. Best of all, your results will last if you take care of them with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist, along with minor lifestyle changes like avoiding dark food and not smoking. You can even get touch-ups every six months as needed!
Noticeable Metal Restorations
Although metal restorations like crowns and fillings do a great job protecting your teeth from cavities and decay, they don’t always look attractive. The good news is that today, there are many durable, natural looking options to replace them, such as composite resin fillings and porcelain crowns. If you’re embarrassed by older amalgam restorations causing dark spots in your smile, talk to your dentist about upgrading to a tooth-colored restoration that looks and feels just like real teeth!
Chipped or Worn Teeth
Sometimes, the enamel of your teeth can become worn or chipped along the edge. While these damages may not be significant enough to need a filling or crown, they can still be embarrassing and make you want to cover your mouth when you smile. Thankfully, they can be easily repaired with cosmetic bonding, a treatment that uses the same strong, realistic material used in tooth-colored fillings to rebuild the broken edges and restore the appearance and function of the tooth for up to five years!
Multiple Flaws
For those who have multiple dental flaws such as spacing, size, shape, and even tooth shade issues, veneers can correct a variety of problems in just one restoration. With proper care and use, these thin porcelain shells can create a beautiful, natural looking smile for up to 20 years. They’re also stain resistant, so you can still enjoy drinking your daily cup of joe without worrying about stains.
Remember, although you may not be 100 percent satisfied with your current smile, with cosmetic dentistry your dentist can help correct the flaws that are holding you back from sharing your gorgeous, healthy grin with the world. To learn more about these treatments and see which ones could be right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Wiggs
Dr. Matthew Wiggs earned his undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University and his dental degree at the University of Kentucky. Today, he continues to pursue his dental education through the Raleigh Periodontics and Implant Education Association. He is also a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and scholar at Triangle Dental Institute. To schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry at Wiggs Family Dentistry, visit our website or call us today at 919-847-5955.