Does Cosmetic Dentistry Suit Your Smile?

January is here, so you’re likely eager to work on your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’ve already decided to lose weight or learn a new language. Still, you’d be wise to make a pretty smile one of this month’s goals as well. You could even achieve it quickly with a trip to your dentist. Firstly, though, you should learn if you’re a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry. To that end, here’s a helpful primer from your Carmel dental practice.

Note the Flaws That Need Fixing

Before you commit to anything, find which smile flaws (if any) you want to fix. Cosmetic work can’t help if it doesn’t know what changes to make. By noting your grin’s faults, you’ll better grasp the procedures you need.

For example, consider whether you have any of the flaws below:

• Tooth Stains or Discoloration
• Gaps Between Teeth
• Tooth Misalignment
• Chipped or Cracked Teeth
• Dental Fractures

Narrow Down Your Options

When you meet with a cosmetic dentist, they can help you settle on the ideal treatment. Common ones they might suggest include:

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

For minor smile flaws, you might prefer cosmetic dental bonding. This service works by applying tooth-colored resin to your teeth. As such, it’s ideal for hiding small chips, cracks, and fractures. The treatment can even cover up tough tooth stains.

At the same time, keep in mind that bonding’s effects are short-lived. You’ll likely need touch-ups after a few years.

Teeth Whitening

If you have mild to moderate tooth stains, teeth whitening is ideal. This option can brighten up your grin by six to eight shades. In particular, it uses bleaching gel to remove stains from your enamel. The result is a smile that looks sparkling and new!

Of course, teeth whitening does have its downsides. While fast and effective, it’s often moderately priced. The treatment also won’t work on marks beneath the enamel (i.e., intrinsic stains).

Porcelain Veneers

Put simply, a veneer is a thin shell that dentists place on the fronts of teeth. Its main use is to hide a wide range of smile flaws – chips, cracks, stains, misalignments, etc. Since each veneer is custom-made, the shells blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. They’ll even last for 15 years or more with care.

Due to their versatility, veneers are quite liked by patients. However, they can also be expensive. Make sure you’re ready for a big commitment if you get them.

Really, learning whether you’re a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry isn’t hard. Just consider the ideas above and talk with your dental provider!

About the Practice

Springhetti Dentistry is based in Carmel, IN. Led by Dr. Springhetti, our practice seeks to offer personal, patient-focused dentistry for all ages. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Our office also prides itself on being a certified Invisalign provider. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (317)-875-7645.