If you aren’t entirely pleased about the appearance of your smile, you can take comfort in the fact that there are a variety of treatment options to achieve an upgrade. But is cosmetic dentistry safe? After all, you want to protect your teeth in the process. Read on to learn more from your cosmetic dentist in Superior so that you can make an informed decision.
When Is It Okay to Pursue a Cosmetic Dental Treatment?
Cosmetic dentistry is primarily intended to improve the appearance of teeth. As long as you are under the care of a trained professional, cosmetic dental procedures are safe for the majority of patients, but not all treatments are suitable for everyone. That’s why it’s so important that your dentist examines your mouth beforehand and gives you an honest assessment of which procedures would be ideal for you.
Some cosmetic services can pose a risk if an underlying oral health issue is present. For instance, if a veneer is placed over a decaying tooth, this can make it more difficult to treat later. However, your dentist will emphasize the necessity to address these types of problems before getting started with any cosmetic treatment.
What Are Cosmetic Dentistry Options?
Here are cosmetic dentistry options in Superior that are safe with the approval of your dentist:
Teeth Whitening
You don’t usually get the results you’re looking for with over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Professional teeth whitening is a safe option with much more effective results. At-home teeth whitening is available with Phillips DayWhite and NiteWhite and can deliver results in as little as seven days! You receive a customized whitening tray and then you can adjust the times you use one of these gels based on what works for your schedule.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells of dental-grade porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to cover up all sorts of different aesthetic flaws, including:
- Gaps
- Stains
- Chips
- Cracks
- Undersized/misshapen teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
This porcelain is durable because it’s meant to withstand the daily wear and tear of your teeth! Patients with veneers can eat, drink, and chew gum as if they never received a cosmetic dentistry treatment in the first place. This process is a smile renovation – you won’t believe how great the results will look.
Cosmetic Bonding
If you have minimal chips, cracks, stains, or gaps, cosmetic bonding makes an excellent yet affordable option. Your dentist will use a tooth-colored composite resin and sculpt it to your tooth. This procedure typically takes less than an hour, but with proper care, your transformed smile can last a decade or longer.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
When minor tooth decay or damage occurs, your dentist can repair your smile with tooth-colored fillings. These conservative, natural-looking dental restorations offer a flawless result, so you’ll likely forget which tooth was damaged. Tooth-colored fillings are placed in just one day.
So, is cosmetic dentistry safe? It is when you visit a skilled dentist! It’s also extremely popular because of how much the treatments can improve your smile in a short time.
About the Author
Dr. Douglas Clark III is a Superior native, and he earned his dental doctorate from Marquette University. He has been working hard for the smiles of Hill Avenue Dental patients since 2004. Dr. Clark is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, he offers all the treatments referenced in this blog post. You can get started by scheduling a consultation on his website or calling (715) 392-5161.