If you have complaints about your teeth or gums, or you are just not satisfied with your overall smile, you may want to visit a cosmetic dentist. This dental professional can help you determine which procedure can help with any issues you may have. Common complaints that people have that the dentist can help with include misaligned, discolored, chipped, and misshapen teeth as well as gaps between the teeth or gummy smiles. The options available to you depend on a variety of factors, and it helps to understand what some of the cosmetic options are.
A cosmetic dentist has years of education and training to perform a wide range of services. If you come in with a specific complaint, such as stained or crooked teeth, the dentist can discuss what the most effective procedures would be.
Even if you have no idea what you want, but you do know that you want a better smile, a cosmetic dentist can help. The dentist can look at your teeth, gums, and mouth as well as your overall facial features. From this, the dentist can recommend which procedures would improve your appearance or fix minor issues that you do not even notice.
To improve your smile and appearance, a cosmetic dentist may recommend one or a combination of procedures. Other considerations the dentist takes into the decision-making process are your goals and budget.
A common complaint of many dental patients is crooked teeth. Although traditional braces are still commonly used and are recommended for severe misalignments, clear aligners are popular, especially for young professionals. Aligners are customized for each patient, they are barely visible, and they can be taken out for eating, brushing, and flossing. With regular use, the average time for teeth straightening using clear aligners is eight to 12 months.
Teeth whitening is a very popular and common cosmetic procedure. In-office professional whitening with a cosmetic dentist only takes about an hour, depending on the severity of the staining. Professional results last a long time, and patients often do not have to repeat the process for at least one year.
Veneers are a popular procedure used to cover up issues like small gaps between teeth, discolorations, cracks, and chips. This method consists of cementing thin, custom-made composite resin or porcelain shells to the front of one or more teeth. Veneers are typically applied over two visits, and they can last up to 20 years with the proper care.
Dental bonding covers up similar issues as veneers do, but they are less expensive and reversible. With porcelain veneers, the dentist has to remove quite a bit of the front enamel to affix the shells, which means the process is irreversible. Bonding also only takes one visit. The procedure consists of roughening the surface of the teeth, applying a resin material over each tooth, and then molding and shaping it for the desired result. It is then hardened with a light. Although a quicker process than veneers, bonded teeth do not last as long and need to be replaced sooner.
Some people may not like how their smile looks because there is excess gum tissue that makes the teeth look short. With gum reshaping, the dentist removes the excess tissue and contours the gum line, giving it a balanced and more aesthetically pleasing look.
If someone complains about teeth that are too long due to gum recession, the dentist may recommend grafting. This consists of taking excess tissue from elsewhere and grafting it to the recessed area. This reshapes and lengthens the gumline.
Dental implants are often recommended by a cosmetic dentist for missing teeth. Whether replacing one or more teeth, a titanium rod is inserted into the jaw. A crown is then placed on top. Because implants insert directly into the bone, there is a strong and stable foundation, and they prevent bone loss. Implants look and function like real teeth, and they can last a lifetime.
Most people are walking around with at least one small complaint about their smiles. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of aesthetic procedures that can improve the appearance of teeth and gums. A cosmetic dentist can determine what procedure would fix the issue, and the result is a brand new smile as well as improved self-esteem and confidence.
Request an appointment here: https://totalcareimplantdentistry.com or call Total Care Implant Dentistry at (760) 394-3088 for an appointment in our Palm Desert office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Cosmetic Dentist in Palm Desert, CA.
Many people seek a cosmetic dentist because they feel self-conscious and uncomfortable with their smile if their teeth are not as aesthetically pleasing as they might wish. The teeth frame the entire face, so a pearly white smile can make it seem radiant and full of energy.Cosmetic dentistry offers numerous solutions for patients who want…
Do you find yourself keeping your mouth closed in pictures? Do you turn your head away or hold your hand up to block your teeth when you speak? Sometimes even the smallest issues in the mouth, such as discoloration, a crooked tooth, or a misaligned bite, can cause discomfort or self-consciousness. If you are not…
Dental veneers are a great way to improve the color shade of your front teeth and create a more symmetric smile. They are also a trusted solution for restoring damaged teeth, such as chips, cracks, worn teeth, and more. This review discusses what happens during a veneers procedure, highlighting the step-by-step process that many dentists…
Individuals who want to repair their smiles may wonder what tooth restoration options are available and which would most suit their needs. Crooked, damaged, or missing teeth can affect the confidence of those who have such dental issues, but a visit to a cosmetic dentist can provide patients with a variety of dental repair choices,…
When you are new to wearing dentures, you have many questions involving your denture care. Some people who wear dentures and do not have any natural teeth left believe they no longer need to see their dentist regularly like they used to. For many reasons, making sure you still see your dentist for regular appointments…
Composite bonding is one of the most commonly recommended treatment solutions for a cracked tooth. Read on to learn more about this type of restoration. It is a non-invasive and affordable way to restore the health, function, and appearance of the tooth.This review discusses how composite bonding is used to repair a cracked tooth, including…