A lot of people these days are concerned about the appearance of their smile. This can especially be concerning for people who have misshapen teeth, misalignment, teeth that have become discolored or stained over time or that are chipped, worn, or broken.
Thankfully, there are ways to improve the look of your smile by means of cosmetic dentistry procedures. Here are some of the many ways to brighten up your smile and improve your overall appearance.
Whitening Procedures
This can be a simple and inexpensive method for brightening a person’s smile. For around $500, many dentists can bleach your teeth right in their office. As an alternative, teeth can be bleached at home using gels and molds available for purchase from most dentists. Also, a number of retail stores sell over-the-counter products for whitening your teeth, including strips, rinses, and special toothpastes. These products are usually less expensive.
Bonding
This is a procedure whereby a durable kind of plastic is applied directly to your teeth. This plastic, known as resin, has a consistency that is similar to putty. It is colored to look like your teeth, and it can be shaped, polished, and trimmed by your dentist. According to Bethlehem cosmetic dentist, dental bonding helps repair teeth that are cracked or chipped or that are misshapen. Many people find that it is an affordable alternative to fillings made of silver or amalgam. The procedure can usually be done in an hour or less.
Implants
These are usually replacement roots made of titanium and inserted directly into the missing tooth’s bone socket. In time, your jawbone will heal and grow around the post that has been implanted. This anchor results in a secure foundation that a replacement tooth can be put on. Dental implants may range in cost up to about $3,000, although they can sometimes be done for less.
Onlays or Inlays
Sometimes referred to as indirect fillings, these are used to fill teeth that are damaged or decayed. The fillings are made of porcelain, gold, or a composite of materials. “Inlays” refer to fillings that have the center of the tooth bonded to the filling material. “Onlays”, as the name implies, refer to fillings which cover the tooth’s biting surface. These type of fillings provide another option instead of using crowns, and they aim to keep as much of the healthy tooth intact as possible. Expect to pay up to $1,2000 for each tooth that receives one of these fillings.
Veneers
A dental veneer is a shell made out of porcelain that has been colored like a tooth. The veneer is custom made, and is extremely thin. It covers the surface of the teeth on the front only. The veneers are applied to the front of the teeth after a very small portion of the tooth enamel has been removed from the surface. The procedure is quite expensive, sometimes costing as much as $1,300 for each tooth.
Crowns
Dental crowns (or caps, as they are sometimes called) restore damaged or decayed teeth. They are placed on top of the gum line, fitting over the previous teeth. They restore the appearance and strength of the teeth. They can also help to reinforce teeth that are weak so they don’t break, and they can help a cracked tooth be held together. Other uses for dental crowns include covering teeth that have been discolored severely or are misshapen. These crowns are often made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, metal, resin, or porcelain and metal fused together. They often cost $500-900 per tooth.
Additional Options
There are many other options available for improving your smile, as well. If your teeth are misaligned or crooked, you might consider dental braces, which move your teeth very slowly through the use of pressure. Another option is a bridge, which can fill in the gap between real teeth with false teeth and crowns on each side. Finally, missing teeth can be replaced temporarily with dentures, which can be removed and cleaned as needed.
Conclusion
As you can see, a number of options exist for cosmetic dentistry procedures. These procedures, or a combination of procedures, can provide workable solutions to help improve not only your smile but also your confidence and self-esteem. Why not look into some of these options today? No doubt, you will be glad you did.