Anti-aging products and treatment options are widely available for skin, hair, nails – but many don’t realize that they can lift years off their appearance with smile enhancing cosmetic dentistry treatments. Teeth bare the brunt of daily use, coming in contact with all the foods and beverages consumed. Insufficient brushing and flossing habits can allow stains to set in tooth enamel and can eventually lead to decay and other dental concerns. With enhancement options and treatment timelines to fit individual needs, patients can look and feel younger and healthier in no time!
One of the easiest approaches to enhancing a smile, and restoring a more youthful appearance, is to replace older fillings, especially silver-colored fillings, with appropriate tooth-colored filling material. The process is as easy as a typical cavity filling appointment. The dentist removes the older filling material, makes sure the tooth is still healthy on the inside, and replaces the old filling with a tooth-colored composite that can be matched to the patient’s natural teeth. This may be combined with professional whitening to support the use of lighter tooth-colored filling material, depending on needs.
For broken, damaged, uneven, or otherwise less-attractive teeth, custom-made porcelain veneers or custom-made dental crowns may be an alternative to tooth-colored composite repair. The dentist takes impressions of the target tooth, has a crown or veneer made for that specific tooth, and then places the enhancement on the tooth using durable dental cement. Porcelain veneers cover the front, visible part of the tooth, while a dental crown covers the entire tooth from top to bottom. These custom-made tooth enhancers are often more durable than natural teeth alone. They also provide the added benefit of a protective glaze that resists staining, unlike natural tooth enamel that is prone to stains.
Patients missing one or more teeth may opt for dental implants. A dental implant is surgically placed within the jaw at the site of the missing tooth, providing the support that roots of the tooth would normally provide. Once the implant has successfully integrated with the bone, a dental crown is placed on top to provide the look and support of a natural tooth. This not only rejuvenates the appearance but can improve the overall dental health of the patient, as well, since the presence of the implant supports the other teeth, gums, and bone.
To learn more about renewing or improving teeth and smiles to look and feel your best, contact our experienced cosmetic dental team at Withers Dentistry today!