Dental health is so important to Americans that it’s among the top annual New Year’s resolutions. In fact, according to brand new survey results, 20% of American adults made the resolution to improve their oral health and 15% resolved to go to the dentist more often. Following through with those two goals alone will go a long way toward helping you achieve a beautiful smile. Of course, your dentist may have some tricks up his sleeve to help you get the most out of your dental efforts. But what are some of the best cosmetic dentistry solutions to ensure a new you during the new year?
Professional Teeth Whitening
Anyone can walk into a discount or convenience store and grab an over-the-counter tooth whitening kit off the shelf. But at what cost? Regardless of what the claims on the box promise, even the major name kits aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. In many cases, you’ll need several repeat applications just to start seeing the results you want… if they work for you at all. Even if the concentration of chemicals does whiten a bit, they may also burn sensitive mouth tissue and weaken enamel in the process. That’s not a concern with professional whitening. Custom-created, each patient gets the whitening levels they and their dentist agree upon. And since the procedure is performed by a professional, there’s no guesswork, mess, or disappointment. In fact, your teeth can be lightened up to 10 shades in an hour with the right professional teeth whitening treatment.
Bonding, Bridges, and Crowns
Professional studies claim that over 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. But regardless of whether you’re in that camp, that statistic doesn’t necessarily have to affect your life or prevent you from smiling. Decay, gum disease, and mouth trauma are the main reasons for tooth loss. Sometimes the eventual loss begins as a surface crack or minor chip, but those issues can be fixed easily enough. Even some severe issues can be fixed relatively easily if you get to your dentist early enough. Composite bonding is a strong tooth-colored resin/glass material that is shaped to resemble a natural tooth. A crown is a partial prosthetic tooth that fits right on an existing tooth or implant to replace the missing part. And a bridge works as a prosthetic tooth that replaces a missing tooth or teeth by attaching to existing teeth around the vacant spot. Your dentist can easily decide what is needed and perform the correct procedure so you can get back to smiling.
Porcelain Veneers
If you want celebrity perfection or to simply have the smile of your dreams as quickly as possible, porcelain veneers may be the solution. Lab created, the wafer-thin porcelain shells are color-matched and custom made to fit the patient’s needs and desires. Two appointments are all it usually takes to get the natural and gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted. While porcelain veneers are an investment, they generally last at least two decades so they can pay for themselves in the renewed confidence and opportunities a beautiful new smile provides. Give us a call when you’re ready to discuss the best cosmetic dentistry solutions for your new year, new you goals.