How a Dentist Can Help Give You Reasons to Smile

You might find yourself with few reasons to smile when you have stained, discolored, or otherwise damaged teeth. It is natural to feel a bit self-conscious when your teeth are not in good condition. Your teeth is one of the first things people notice about you, and assumptions about you are often based on the way they look.

Healthy-looking teeth tend to be seen as signs of attractiveness and youth, while unhealthy-looking teeth are viewed as unattractive and signs of poor oral hygiene.

Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can help restore teeth, sometimes in just one short visit to the dentist's clinic. Let us take a look at a few things a dentist can do to restore the condition of a patient's teeth:

How your dentist can give you reasons to smile

1. Teeth whitening

If a patient is unhappy with the color of their teeth, their dentist can help restore their natural white color with whitening treatments. There are over-the-counter teeth whiteners available for purchase at local supermarkets, but the chemicals in these are not as strong as the bleaching agents your dentist has access to.

Teeth whitening solutions can cause damage to your gums and other soft tissue of your mouth, so it is best to have this procedure done by a dentist to avoid complications. Patients will have a new reason to smile after a single teeth whitening session with a dentist.

2. Dental bonding

If a patient's smile is being negatively affected by a badly-discolored, chipped or cracked tooth, dental bonding can be used to restore its appearance. This is a relatively straightforward procedure that is very affordable.

During the treatment, the dentist will apply a composite directly to the tooth, then it is shaped into the desired shape. Once the dentist is satisfied with the appearance of the tooth, the composite is hardened with an ultraviolet light.

3. Veneers

Veneers are an effective way to restore teeth that are too discolored to be whitened with bleaching agents. The veneers are thin shells that are used to cover the front of the patient's teeth, hiding all their flaws. Veneers are often made out of porcelain or ceramic, which are highly resistant to stains. That means veneers do not just help you get rid of stains and discoloration; these prosthetics also help keep them away.

During the installation of veneers, the dentist will remove a small portion of enamel to make room for the device. This is to prevent the veneers from making your teeth appear bulky. Veneers can last 10-15 years with good oral hygiene.

4. Dental implants

A dental implant is the most effective way to replace a missing tooth. It mimics the natural behavior of teeth and their roots. During the procedure, an implant — that is typically made of titanium — is attached to the patient's jawbone. It is then given a few months to fuse with the jaw. Once the implant is firmly secured, a crown is placed on the external-facing end.

Want to learn more about restoring your smile? Contact one of our dentists today!

Request an appointment in our Chicago dentist office here: https://smilesonmichigan.com.