Cosmetic Dentistry Practices That Can Enhance Your Smile

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, you’re probably wondering what types of treatments fall under this umbrella term. In short, any treatment that improves your appearance is considered cosmetic. That could mean anything from whitening your teeth to straightening them to replacing missing teeth. By improving the look of your smile, you can boost your confidence and self-esteem and feel better about yourself. Here are the major cosmetic dentistry procedures that can enhance your smile appearance. 

Tooth whitening

Discoloration that you notice on your teeth can be caused by many factors, including smoking or tobacco use, certain medications, and aging. Tooth whitening works by bleaching and removing stains from the surface of teeth to leave behind a brighter appearance. Professional tooth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile and improve the appearance of discolored teeth.

Dental crowns

A dental crown is a cap that fits over the top of a damaged tooth to improve its appearance and strength. If the tooth is badly decayed or cracked, a crown may be necessary to protect it from further damage. Crowns also serve an aesthetic purpose by covering discolorations and gaps between teeth. When cared for properly, a dental crown can last as long as 15 years.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can fix minor, aesthetic imperfections in your smile. Dental bonding is a quick and painless treatment and can help address issues such as cracks, chips, or discoloration of the teeth. In just one appointment at our dental office, we can cover these blemishes with a tooth-colored resin material and create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. The resin is bonded to the tooth enamel and hardened into place for an immediate improvement in the appearance of the tooth. While the results are not permanent, with proper oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups, the bonding can last up to ten years before needing to be touched up. Composite bonding is a great solution for those who are looking for fast results with minimal investment of time and money. 

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of each tooth. They are custom-made for your smile for an attractive appearance. Veneers can be used to correct a wide range of cosmetic flaws, including chips, cracks, stains, misalignments, gaps between teeth, or misshapen teeth. After your veneers are placed, you will have a uniformly white smile that is free of imperfections. In fact, veneers can typically provide results that are more beautiful and natural-looking than other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Plus, they are long-lasting. With proper care, they can last for many years before needing to be replaced. In addition to enhancing the appearance of your smile with veneers, they can also make your teeth easier to clean. The smooth porcelain surface will resist staining, so you won’t have to worry about discoloration from food and beverages like coffee, tea, and wine. However, you will still need to practice good oral hygiene to keep stain-causing bacteria off the surface of your veneers. This means brushing twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. 

Dr. James Thurber DDS, located in Lubbock, TX, has modern amenities and the latest technologies that enable the best dental care facilities for patients. Call us at (806) 745-6644 and book a consultation with the dentist.