Is Cosmetic Dentistry the Right Option for You?

Everyone wants to feel confident about the appearance of their smile. There’s nothing better than showing it off for the camera without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. However, it can be difficult to decide whether or not you want to invest in cosmetic dentistry. Read on to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how to decide if you are making the best decision for your smile.

Why Do People Get Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are elective, but they have numerous benefits besides making your smile more aesthetically appealing. Not only do patients tend to have a boost of self-confidence, but it also protects your teeth from future dental damage as a result of misalignment or other issues. Most of the time, people get cosmetic dentistry to correct teeth that are:

• Chipped
• Cracked
• Stained/Discolored
• Gapped
• Misshapen
• Misaligned
• Undersized

What Should You Know Before Committing to Cosmetic Dentist?

Before you know whether or not cosmetic dentistry is the best option for you, you will need to determine exactly what you want to achieve. The more specific you can be, the better that your dentist will be able to help. Do you want your teeth to be whiter? Are you unhappy about misalignment or gaps? Is there a chip in your front tooth that is getting on your last nerve? Knowing exactly what you want is key to getting the results you’ve been dreaming of.

Which Cosmetic Treatments Are Available?

There are plenty of procedures to choose from. Here are some of the most common:

Direct Bonding

For this procedure, your dentist will apply a putty-like, tooth-colored composite resin to a tooth to correct small cracks, chips, and stains. They will carefully sculpt it to the affected tooth and mask any imperfections. Using a special curing light, your dentist will harden the resin and leave you with a restored tooth.

Teeth Whitening

Discoloration can happen for all sorts of different reasons, and over-the-counter teeth whitening kits aren’t usually effective enough to leave you with the results you’re looking for. Fortunately, both in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening is available to give you the beautiful pearly whites you’ve been hoping for quickly and safely.

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the front-facing surfaces of the teeth to cover imperfections. This includes small gaps, chips, discoloration, slight misalignment, and the appearance of misshapen teeth. It is the easiest way to transform numerous aspects of your smile at the same time.

Invisalign

Instead of opting for a mouthful of metal brackets and wires, you can choose Invisalign to correct misalignment. This treatment uses a series of clear aligners that are designed to slowly shift your teeth into their rightful locations. Best of all, they are hardly visible! No one will even be able to tell that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If you’re considering transforming your smile, you could likely benefit from attending a consultation with your dentist. This way, you can discuss which treatment options may or may not be right for you.

About the Author

Dr. Ross Katkowski earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association, and the Bristol Dental Society. For more information on cosmetic dentistry or to schedule a consultation at his office in Bristol, visit his website or call (860) 589-2794.