Your smile is the first thing people notice, so it’s no surprise that cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. There are quite a few popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available, from cosmetic dental bonding to tooth whitening and veneers. But what are these procedures, how do they work, and what are their results? Here are four popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, explained.
Tooth Whitening
The quickest and most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure is tooth whitening. You’ve seen the do-it-yourself kits at the pharmacy, but not all tooth whitening treatments are created equal.
When you get your teeth before veneers and whitened at the dentist, you get a gleaming smile without any of the nasty side effects of at-home treatments. The do-it-yourself kits have a low percentage of peroxide-based bleaching agents, which means you need to apply the treatment over and over again. This can lead to serious tooth sensitivity, which can make your teeth feel like they’re burning or even itching. Not a pleasant sensation!
Your dentist has access to stronger bleaching agents, which means they sit on your teeth for less time. Some dentists even have access to Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed™, which will give you the brightest smile you can get in a single 45-minute sitting!
Veneers
Veneers are an increasingly popular way of achieving a gorgeous smile in a short amount of time. If you’ve always envied the megawatt grins of the stars, veneers may be perfect for you.
Veneers are a great way to fix stained, chipped, or crooked teeth. A thin shell is created out of tooth-colored material, which is then placed onto the front side of each of your teeth. After they’re placed, your teeth will look as close to perfect as they possibly can. But remember: great veneers are ones you never notice.
All that said, veneers are a fantastic option for improving your smile, but they aren’t cheap. Depending on the material you choose, they can run between $250 and $2k per tooth.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Like veneers, cosmetic dental bonding achieves the same result through a different process. Instead of a thin sheath being placed on top of the tooth, in dental bonding, the same composite used for white fillings is used to build up and perfect the tooth.
While veneers are made by a lab tech, and there’s waiting time involved, dental bonding is done inside the mouth by your dentist. If you want veneers, but the price tag gives you sticker shock, ask your dentist about cosmetic dental bonding. It’s a far more affordable option to veneers with similar results.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the market for tooth whitening, cosmetic dental bonding, or veneers, make sure to talk to your dentist about the procedure before deciding to take the plunge. These procedures can be expensive, so make sure you explore all your options.
And if you do decide to go for it, be sure your dentist is skilled in the procedure. The best tooth enhancement is one that people don’t notice. The goal is for your friends to suspect you did something, but not be able to figure out what it is that you’ve had done.
