We all dream of having a perfect, bright white smile. In reality, though, most people suffer from yellowing teeth and in some cases crooked teeth. Teeth naturally have a yellowish tinge which people acquire as they get older. Certain foods and drinks, such as red wine, or habits like smoking, can cause teeth to discolor more significantly. On the bright side, there are definitely steps you can take to whiten yellowing teeth. You can obtain a more aesthetically pleasing smile by straightening crooked teeth as well.
There are numerous dental procedures that can get you a lovely white smile. These procedures are commonly called cosmetic dentistry, and most insurance plans do not cover them. If you are fixing crooked teeth for a better smile and not because of functional issues, then dental insurance won’t cover those procedures either. However, there are certain affordable procedures you can try out if you can find a decent dentist. Here is a list:
In-Office Teeth Whitening
The typical teeth whitening products you can purchase from the nearest C-store, such as toothpaste, gels, and rinses, are not nearly as effective as the advertising claims. If you want to remove deep-set stains on teeth, then you need to go to a dentist for in-office teeth whitening. Dentists use bleaching agents to remove tough stains to restore your pearly whites.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are commonly used for fixing an array of dental issues, such as realigning badly positioned teeth, fixing damaged teeth, and also for restoring the appearance of teeth. If you want to fundamentally improve your smile, then dental crowns can be considered with the advice of your dentist. There is a new dental crown technology called CEREC that offer top-notch results with only one or two visits. Find a local dentist, like this dentist in Mesa, that offer this tech to gain a beautiful smile.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can brighten your teeth and also protect them against cavities! Applying porcelain veneers is simple, but it requires incredible technical skill. A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell that a dentist bonds to the surfaces of your teeth. The veneers are custom designed in a lab. So the quality of the final product depends on how good the lab is. Find a reputable dentist in your area to get porcelain veneers. If done right, this procedure is both affordable and highly effective.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-Level Laser Therapy, often referred to as LLLT, is a serious dental procedure that’s typically used to treat gum disease, canker cores, cold sores and bacterial infections in the mouth. However, this procedure can also be used for advanced whitening. If the yellowing of your teeth is caused by a nerve issue, the LLLT is a recommended option. If your teeth are severely stained and don’t improve with in-office whitening, then you can consider this option. It can be expensive, but there are dental clinics that offer affordable prices for this procedure.
Talk with your dentist regarding what procedures would be best for your condition and which procedure is best suited for your budget.