5 Ways to Improve Your Smile Cosmetically in the New Year

Many people wish for a whiter and more uniform smile. If your New Year’s dental health goals include cosmetic dentistry, there are several treatments available at your dentist’s office.

If you want a brighter smile, consider teeth whitening.

It is normal for teeth to become stained over time. Drinking colas or teas, smoking cigarettes and taking certain medications can all contribute to yellow or stained teeth. Luckily, in just two quick visits to your dentist, you can get the materials needed to whiten your teeth on your own at home.

At your first appointment, you will have molds taken of your teeth. The dentist will use those molds to create the plastic trays. When you return for your follow-up appointment, the dentist will check to see if the trays fit comfortably and give you a solution to put inside them to whiten your teeth.

For the next few weeks you will wear the custom trays either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight from the comfort of your home. Treatment is non-invasive and can have long-lasting results.

If you want to replace silver amalgam fillings, consider composite fillings.

For many years, silver amalgam was the only option for filling cavities. If you don’t like the appearance of your silver fillings, you can ask your dentist to replace them with tooth-colored composite fillings. Your dentist can match the fillings to your natural teeth so that they blend in. Because composite fillings bond to your teeth, they can also be used to fix chips and cracks.

If you want to transform your smile, consider porcelain veneers.

Another option to improve the appearance of discolored or chipped teeth is porcelain veneers. The dentist applies thin pieces of porcelain to each of your teeth. During your first visit your dentist prepares your teeth for the veneers and finds the best shade. When you come back for your second visit, the veneers are applied and the dentist explains how to take care of them.

If you want a permanent solution to missing teeth, consider implants.

Dental implants have become a popular way to replace missing teeth. First the implants and posts are attached to your jawbone. After a period of healing, your dentist attaches artificial teeth to the posts. One benefit of dental implants is that they keep your teeth from shifting. Unlike dentures, implants are permanent. It takes a few months to complete the process, because you must heal in between treatments.

If you want to relieve overcrowding or correct your bite, consider Invisalign.

Whether you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite – or need to fix gaps caused by missing teeth – you can wear Invisalign trays to correct the problem. Traditional braces can be uncomfortable and affect your appearance. Invisalign trays are comfortable and because they are clear, the trays are aesthetically pleasing. The trays are custom-developed to fit your mouth. You change the trays every two weeks as your teeth shift into proper alignment. You can even remove the trays for important occasions.

These are just a few of the treatments your dentist can perform that will give you a beautiful smile in 2014. Schedule an appointment at your convenience to discuss your options!