If you feel self-conscious about how your smile looks, you’re far from being alone. In fact, it’s a common feeling! Various surveys have found that between 30 and 50 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with their teeth.
What issues do people find with their teeth? What treatments can address these issues? Here are the three most common cosmetic dental problems and solutions you should consider to correct them and give you back your confidence.
Problem: Yellow or Discolored Teeth
With years of having coffee, red wine, and other staining foods and drinks, it’s no wonder that teeth can start to appear yellow or dull. The porous enamel can absorb these highly pigmented substances, making your teeth look older as time passes.
The easy solution for many patients is professional teeth whitening, which is substantially stronger than anything you can find available at the drugstore. The prescription-grade peroxide in the whitening treatment can brighten your smile by as many as eight shades in the same time it takes store-bought treatments to whiten by only two or three.
If, however, your tooth discoloration does not respond to this treatment, your teeth may need to be covered by white veneers or bonding.
Problem: Small Chips or Cracks
Significant cracks and chips most often must be treated with dental crowns to protect and preserve your natural tooth, but what about those tiny, cosmetic imperfections? When the overall structure of the tooth is intact, there’s no need to use a whole crown to address an aesthetic issue.
In this situation, only the front surface of your tooth needs to be addressed. Veneers are thin, realistic-looking porcelain shells that are attached to hide these flaws in just two appointments and a few weeks. As a less expensive alternative, cosmetic bonding is also something you can consider in this scenario.
Problem: Gaps and Misalignment
Whether you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth, the alignment of your teeth can attract the wrong kind of attention.
To achieve the perfect smile, some people benefit from Invisalign to realign their teeth. Faster, more comfortable, and more subtle than traditional braces, the clear aligners allow you to skip metal brackets and keep your look during treatment.
However, for other patients, the necessary adjustments are so slight that they may not have to undergo long treatment to get the results they want. Veneers can correct slight misalignment or fill in small gaps.
Ultimately, if you dislike how your smile looks, you need to talk with your dentist. They can identify the source of your dissatisfaction and explain your treatment options. Then, you can have renewed self-confidence and proudly show your smile!
About the Practice
At RP Dental in Lady Lake, Dr. Rishit Patel and Dr. Lisa Wadsworth have multiple decades of clinical experience and countless hours of continuing education coursework between them. In addition to implants, Invisalign, and other treatments, these professionals have focused on cosmetic procedures, helping patients achieve their own perfect smiles. If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry, contact our team online or call 352-750-0008.