5 Cosmetic Dentistry Options for a Great Smile

Your smile is nice; however, you want it to be great. That may mean you’ll need some cosmetic dentistry work done to get it in tip-top shape. Here are five cosmetic dentistry options that may be right for your needs.

Tooth Contouring

This dental procedure involves reshaping a tooth to improve its overall appearance. Your dhealth cosmetic dentist traditionally uses tooth contouring to correct chipped, crooked, or pointed teeth, or to lengthen and shorten teeth. Additionally, in some cases your dental professional may suggest it as an alternative to braces.

Although the process is generally quick and painless, it does remove irreplaceable enamel. Be sure to discuss the procedure with your dentist thoroughly before you decide.

Tooth Bonding

If you have teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored, short, or misshapen, or if you have spaces between your teeth or have exposed gums, your dhealth dentist may recommend tooth bonding.

This process involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the tooth surface. Once reshaped and polished it looks as natural as the rest of your teeth. It’s probably one of the easiest and least expensive methods of giving you a great-looking smile.

Dental Bridges

Many times when dental patients lose a tooth, the dentist may recommend replacing it with a dental implant. However, your dhealth cosmetic dentist may recommend a less-expensive dental bridge.

Dental bridges are one or more permanent false teeth attached between two adjacent natural teeth. They fill up the area left by missing teeth. Unlike dentures, you don’t remove them. They can help reduce the risk of gum disease and correct your bite.

Dental Veneers

If discolored or stained teeth, spaces between your teeth, or worn, chipped, and misaligned teeth mar your smile, you may want to opt for porcelain or laminated dental veneers.

These thin tooth covers are custom made to the color, shape, and size you desire. Bonded to the front of your natural teeth, they can give you a fresh, new smile. After that, it’s up to you to keep it that way.

Gum Lift

Sometimes dental patients have what dental practitioners refer to as a “gummy smile” – when excessive gum shows causing teeth to look shorter. The normal width of unworn teeth is typically 75 percent to 85 percent of their length. To improve this length to width ratio, your cosmetic dentist may suggest a gum lift to raise and reshape your gum line.  

Generally, a gum lift is an elective procedure to improve the look of your smile. However, gummy smiles are sometimes the result of how teeth erupt or your jaw develops leading to bite issues.

If you want to bring harmony to your overall dental health and smile, talk with your dhealth cosmetic dentist to find out if any of these five cosmetic dentistry options are right for you.