What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Do for Your Smile
Did you know that by age 50, Americans lose an average of eight teeth?
Paying close attention to your oral health is not only physically important, but esthetically essential as well.
A beautiful smile can open doors to scores of opportunities in life, and it can make you feel better about yourself. Read on to learn how cosmetic dentistry may just be your ticket to a winning smile.
Why Cosmetic Dentistry Matters
A cosmetic dentist doesn’t just work to improve the look of your teeth. When you decide to undergo oral restoration or smile beautification, you’re making your dental health a priority as well.
Chipped, discolored, crooked or otherwise damaged teeth can cause you to miss out on both personal and professional life opportunities. For instance, a recent report shows that people who have bad teeth are less likely to get hired for a job. Whether you aspire to be a store clerk or a news anchor, your prospective employer will choose someone with a gleaming, healthy smile over a person whose teeth are in bad shape.
A friendly, straight-toothed, smile inspires confidence. It also suggests that you take great care of your health overall. Meanwhile, teeth that are stained and chipped suggest that your health is not as much of a priority. In fact, teeth that are in bad shape can lead to serious general health issues down the line.
The sooner you take steps to improve your smile, the sooner you can enjoy a better chance at gainful employment, improved health, and personal satisfaction overall. The key to improving your smile is knowing which dental procedure is right for you.
The following are a few examples of smile beautification procedures that, in the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist and his team, can make a difference in how you look and feel.
Full Mouth Restoration
How badly damaged are your teeth?
While our earliest ancestors enjoyed strong, functional teeth, our collective oral health has gone downhill over the centuries. An abundance of sugary processed foods, dental trauma and certain oral conditions are all contributing factors to widespread tooth decay and displacement.
If you have significant periodontal issues such as extensive tooth decay, several missing teeth, and gaps that formed as a result of shifting teeth, you may be an ideal candidate for full oral restoration. This lengthy process focuses on medical interventions that will restore important oral functions as well as improve tooth alignment.
A full oral restoration is more than just a procedure that transforms your smile. It can help you improve your speech, clear up any headaches or jaw pain as a result of damaged teeth, and allow you to enjoy a healthy, varied diet once again. Of course, with a healthy set of teeth, you can improve your mental well-being, too.
Veneers
Veneers used to be the luxury path toward smile rejuvenation, but today, they are a common way to gain beautiful, healthy, white teeth. You can give your smile a complete makeover in just a few visits with this procedure.
Typically made of porcelain, veneers are thin caps that cosmetic dentists place over your teeth. These caps are conformed to each tooth. They are meant to cover up any discoloration, chips, or cracks on your teeth.
Veneers are a simple yet transformative solution for an imperfect smile.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic teeth whitening can be done either in the office or at home. This procedure is best if your teeth are healthy overall, but you would like to enjoy a mouthful of gleaming pearly whites again.
During your consultation visit, a cosmetic dentist such as Dr. Peter Rinaldi will help you decide which teeth whitening option is best. If you have an in-office procedure, Dr. Rinaldi will place a whitening agent onto your teeth. This solution will be activated with a light source, at which point the shade of your enamel will be brightened. The entire procedure lasts about an hour.
If you choose the at-home option, you will be fitted for custom whitening trays. You’ll have to wear the custom trays, featuring whitening gel, once a day for a period of time. With this option, you can whiten your teeth according to your own schedule from the comfort of home.
Gum Depigmentation
Are your gums discolored?
Gum discoloration can occur for various reasons, including:
- Infrequent brushing or flossing
- your ethnicity
- Tobacco use
- Prolonged use of certain types of medication
If you have dark or red patches on your gums, you may be less-than-confident about showing off your smile to a camera, or you may feel self-conscious about your appearance overall. Gum depigmentation is a simple in-office procedure that allows the color of your gums to appear healthy and consistent.
The natural color of healthy gums is a pale pink. When you undergo gum depigmentation, DR. Rinaldi will use one of several non-invasive procedures to eliminate any dark spots and bring back that pinkish, healthy glow.
Invisalign
Straight, shiny teeth give your smile character. However, teeth can become misaligned due to crowding and shifting.
In the past, patients who needed to straighten their teeth were limited to wearing braces. Invisalign is an innovative, modern teeth-straightening alternative that is discrete and less invasive than metal braces.
When you choose Invisalign, your dental team will use sophisticated imaging technology to customize a set of clear flexible aligners for your teeth. You’ll be given several aligners, each of which you’ll have to wear for approximately three weeks at a time. The aligners will slowly and methodically shift your teeth into a straight configuration over a span of 12 to 18 months.
Invisalign aligners are clear, allowing you to straighten your teeth without bringing unwanted attention to your changing smile. They are made of a patented, flexible thermoplastic that is easy to handle. You’ll simply wear your aligners for about 23 hours a day, and take them off while eating or drinking.
Smile Beautification Is for You
Which of the above cosmetic dentistry procedures best suits your circumstances?
Whether you need full oral restoration or to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, our team, headed by Dr. Peter Rinaldi, can transform your smile. Call us or schedule your appointment online today. Our cosmetic dentistry practices in Chevy Chase, MD is eager to assist you on your quest to gain a healthier, more beautiful smile.