If you’re unhappy with the look of your smile, you have options to change it. Cosmetic dentistry is a group of dental procedures which is primarily used to make your smile more attractive and fix visual flaws. Many dental offices focus exclusively on cosmetics or offer it alongside general dentistry, so these procedures are widely available.

What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Address

Almost any visual flaw in your smile can be corrected with the right cosmetic dental procedure. Yellowing, chips, cracks, stains, crookedness, gaps, undesirable tooth sizes, and awkward tooth shapes are all simple to fix with one or more treatments. If your teeth are weak from decay or other factors, you may not be able to have cosmetic work done until that’s addressed — but otherwise, cosmetic dentistry can fix essentially anything.

The Health Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Treatments

While aesthetics are the primary consideration of cosmetic dentistry, some of these procedures are also good for your oral health. For example, dental implants replace missing teeth and fill in the gaps in your smile, but they also help prevent bone deterioration. Straightening your teeth makes you look great, but also makes your bite stronger and safer from damage.

Popular Treatment Options

While many procedures are or can be used as cosmetic dentistry, there are a few which are most common:

• Teeth Whitening: Also called bleaching, this procedure is a quick and non-invasive way to make your teeth whiter.

• Veneers: These are thin layers of porcelain or other materials applied to the front surfaces of your teeth.

• Dental Bonding: During this procedure, your dentist adds a tooth-colored resin to your tooth and sculpts it as desired.

Depending on your specific situation, your dentist may recommend one of these procedures or a combination.

Cosmetic dentistry is an excellent way to improve your image and your self-esteem. Ask your local dentist whether they offer any of these procedures to make your smile brighter.

If you need general dental care or cosmetic dentistry, choose Mainwaring John D, DDS, in Orange, CT. This experienced doctor and his associates provide competent, compassionate care to patients throughout the area. To schedule an appointment, call (203) 799-6625 or contact the practice online.