60% of Americans hate how their smile looks in photos. If you’re one of them, then you’ll understand how important it is for your teeth to look perfect. Otherwise, you won’t make a good impression on people, and it can hurt your self-esteem and confidence.
Luckily, there are many modern cosmetic dental treatments you can use to improve your smile. And as a result, you won’t be able to stop showing off your pearly whites!
If you’re interested in bettering your teeth, then read on. Here are the most popular cosmetic dental procedures in 2023.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and least invasive types of cosmetic dentistry you can get.
Even if you take good care of your teeth, they can become discolored over time. And you might feel self-conscious about how dull and stained they appear.
A dentist can provide effective and safe teeth whitening, so your teeth are a pristine white again!
They can either do in-office treatments or send you home with trays for your convenience. Either way, you’ll get a brighter smile!
Dental Bonding
Tooth bonding is a great way to take care of minor imperfections, such as discoloration, chips, cracks, and even misalignments.
The cosmetic dentist first lightly etches the surface of your teeth. Then, they’ll put a composite resin on top that’ll blend right in.
When the resin sets, the dentist will trim, smooth, and polish it to a custom shape to give your teeth a more uniform and beautiful look.
Dental bonding lasts around three to five years before needing repairs though, and can easily stain, chip, and break. It also has a relatively short lifespan of five to seven years.
On the positive side, it’s an affordable cosmetic procedure. Plus, it only takes one office visit to complete.
Porcelain Veneers
Many patients opt for porcelain veneers instead of dental bonding. This is because there’s better durability; the veneers can last 10 to 15 years. In addition, they’re more resistant to stains, chips, and breaks, so you don’t have to be as careful.
Porcelain veneers are also bonded to your teeth. However, the dentist will need to first reshape your natural teeth before fitting your veneers. It’ll take two appointments to complete.
While porcelain veneers come with many benefits, they do cost more than dental bonding. For some, this isn’t a viable option.
Braces
Braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that’s not only cosmetic but also restorative. Your teeth can be so misaligned that it’s tough to talk or eat, so braces can correct those things.
The most common type of braces is the metal bracket one; it’s more affordable but very noticeable. They do get some of the fastest results though. However, they can be uncomfortable and difficult to carry out proper oral hygiene.
There are also ceramic, self-ligating, and lingual braces. They all have their own pros and cons, so it’s worth discussing with your dentist.
Invisalign
Invisalign’s a popular way to straighten your teeth since the aligners are clear and inconspicuous. When you have them in, no one can tell, even if they look straight at your teeth!
You have more freedom with these clear trays since you can take them out for a break or to eat. But because they’re practically invisible, it’s common for people to accidentally throw out their aligners, so be careful.
Oral care is also easier since you can take the trays out and proceed as normal with brushing and flossing.
While Invisalign requires fewer appointments than regular braces, and the treatment time can be shorter, it’s also more expensive. And if you have more serious alignment issues, you might not be a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are essentially caps that cover heavily damaged or discolored teeth. This restores both the appearance and function of your teeth.
Crowns can be made from porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal. Either way, they blend in with your other natural teeth.
It’ll take two visits to get crowns done. At the first, the dentist will prepare the teeth and send you home with temporary crowns. Then at the second, they’ll place and bond the crowns to your teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants can take six to eight months to complete, so they’re not for the faint of heart. However, they’re an excellent choice for replacing missing teeth.
This is because their parts mimic a natural tooth. There’s a post (root), abutment, and crown (tooth). Together, they’ll act like your natural teeth and prevent further deterioration in your jaw and gums.
After recovery from the surgery, you’ll pretty much have your dental implants forever. If you take good care of them, you’ll only need to replace the crowns every once in a while.
Gum Contouring
If you feel embarrassed about your gummy smile, then you can get gum contouring done.
Your dentist will cut away excessive gum tissue to give you a more even look. It’s a quick procedure and can be done in one office visit. However, you might need a follow-up visit, depending on what tools were used.
Ask About These Cosmetic Dental Treatments
You deserve to look and feel your best, so if your teeth have been getting you down, it’s time to do something about them.
Now that you know about the different cosmetic dental treatments available, you can get the optimal procedures that’ll have you proud of your teeth. The next step is to get a quality dentist to do them for you.
For fantastic cosmetic dentistry in Columbia, SC, contact us now. We’re open Monday through Thursday.