4 Procedures for a Dramatically Different Smile
You brush your teeth twice per day and floss because you know the importance of good oral hygiene. You even visit your dentist twice a year for your biannual check-up, but did you know dentists can do more than keep your teeth clean and check for cavities? Ask your dentist if they perform these common cosmetic dental procedures:
1. Teeth Whitening
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Teeth can begin to yellow from a variety of factors, including age, coffee and tea, or smoking. However, you don't have to give up your favorite beverages in order to have shining white teeth.
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At-home whitening kits usually take weeks to show results. Your dentist can perform a quick and easy teeth whitening procedure in-office, usually in under one hour, according to Know Your Teeth.
2. Tooth Alignment
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Your dentist can realign your teeth if they are crooked, and you have many options to choose from.
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If you feel uncomfortable wearing braces as an adult, you may be able to use clear plastic retainers to realign your teeth. These have the advantage of being removable, so you can easily and effectively clean between all your teeth, without wires getting in the way.
3. Bridges and Crowns
- Broken, damaged, or missing teeth can be both painful and embarrassing. If you're experiencing any of these problems, your dentist may be able to help you by custom-fitting a bridge or crown to your teeth.
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Crowns are fitted over broken or damaged teeth, in order to provide protection and a pleasing aesthetic. The word "crown" might bring to mind garish gold or silver caps, but modern porcelain crowns can be made to blend in with your teeth.
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Bridges are partial dentures which serve as a "bridge" to fill in missing teeth. They are bonded to your smile using crowns on either side of the missing tooth, creating a permanent, realistic smile.
4. Tooth-colored Fillings
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If you have old fillings made from mercury-containing amalgam, you may feel self-conscious about your teeth. Amalgam fillings are dark and noticeable, and they may pose a problem if you are allergic to certain kinds of metals.
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Your dentist can replace your old fillings with tooth-colored porcelain for a uniformly white smile. Porcelain is hard and durable, and no one but your dentist needs to know you have fillings!
Don't live with a smile that you aren't happy with. Talk to your dentist about cosmetic dental procedures, so you can confidently show the world your pearly whites!