Did you know that people with dental flaws are more likely to report feeling anxious or depressed? Aesthetic imperfections that detract from your appearance can make you feel so worried about being judged that you avoid spending time with others.
Your dentist can provide one or more cosmetic services to improve your looks and boost your confidence, but you might not know whether these treatments can address your specific concerns. If you’re unsure if you’re a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry, continue reading to learn about 3 problems it can fix!
Issue #1: Dental Discoloration
One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours looks more muddy than pearly white, you’re less likely to make a positive impression. If your darkened teeth are causing embarrassment, you might benefit from professional whitening services with your dentist.
For example, a single in-office procedure can potentially lighten your grin by up to eight shades for an instant improvement. If you prefer, your dentist can send you home with ultra-concentrated whitening gels and custom-fitted applicator trays to achieve top-quality results in as few as two weeks from the comfort of your living room.
Issue #2: Chips and Cracks
Chips and cracks can also be problematic in a couple of ways. They give your grin an ‘unfinished’ quality and can also have sharp edges that can lacerate the tender tissues in your mouth.
If you’re tired of seeing unsightly damage every time you smile in the mirror, you can ask your dentist about porcelain veneers. These thin ceramic shells are customized to be the right hue, shape, and size, and then are cemented to the front surface of your enamel to hide imperfections. These restorations are a beautiful way to improve your appearance and are coated with a glaze durable enough to resist stains and injuries to safeguard your smile.
Issue #3: Crooked Teeth
You might consider your mildly gapped or overcrowded teeth to be more frustrating than problematic, but the truth is they can detract from your looks and harm your dental health. Not only might you worry that others will find your crooked grin unattractive, but they’re also harder to keep clean if they overlap. You might not be able to reach all sides of your teeth to thoroughly brush and floss them, which increases the likelihood of developing cavities and gum disease.
Thankfully, your dentist can straighten your smile with Invisalign. Unlike standard braces, these transparent plastic trays fit snugly over your pearly whites to gently shift them to their ideal places.
If you’re still uncertain of the best way to address your concerns, consulting with your dentist can provide some much-needed information to proceed.
About the Author
Dr. Cristina Herrera has 25+ years of experience helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and has since completed over 100 hours of continuing education courses with renowned institutions, including Spear Education. Today, she enjoys getting to know patients so she can quickly devise treatment plans tailored to their unique needs, including cosmetic procedures. She combines a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art technology to help you feel at ease while delivering accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (408) 378-8773.