Everyone wants perfectly aligned teeth and a confident smile. If you have been feeling concerned about the shape, color, or alignment of your teeth lately, you should see your dentist. Cosmetic dentistry has rapidly evolved in the last few years, and most smile-related aesthetic concerns can be addressed easily. There is no age to correct your smile, and it’s best to evaluate all options before considering one. in this post, let’s talk about common treatments available at clinics for Cosmetic dentistry in Livermore, CA.
- Teeth whitening: If you have stained or discolored teeth, your dentist can help reverse the damage with teeth whitening procedures. Teeth whitening can be done in the clinic, or you can go for at-home whitening kits. The whitening agent usually includes hydrogen peroxide, which removes stains. While teeth whitening can remove stains, it cannot lighten the color of your natural teeth. At-home teeth whitening requires two appointments. In the first session, your dentist will take bite impressions and order custom trays. During the second session, they will check the fit of the trays and provide a whitening or bleaching solution. You must wear the trays for 30 minutes twice a day or overnight – as suggested by your dentist.
- Dental veneers: If you want your teeth to look whiter and even, you should talk about dental veneers with your dentist. Veneers can completely reshape your smile and even fill small gaps between teeth. These look like thin shells and cover the entire frontal surface of the teeth. Dental veneers are also useful for cracked teeth. You will need two appointments, and the process requires buffing and preparing your natural teeth to create space for veneers, which is an irreversible step. After the initial consultation, your dentist will cement the veneers using special materials.
- Dental bonding: If you have a cracked tooth, you can benefit from bonding. Bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin material to the teeth, which is hardened using a special light. Dental bonding is useful for repairing chipped and gapped teeth too.
- Invisalign: Many adults don’t want to wear conventional metal braces because of their ugly appearance. However, if you have mild to moderate alignment or bite issues, clear aligners could be an option for you. Invisalign is one of the most popular treatments for correcting misaligned teeth, and unlike veneers that only fix cosmetic issues to enhance your smile, custom aligners straighten your teeth. The treatment may require multiple appointments, and each patient needs at least 20 or more trays. You can remove the aligners while eating and brushing but must wear them for 22 hours every day. Your dentist will replace the aligners with new ones every two to three weeks.
- Dental implants: If you have many missing teeth and don’t want to wear traditional braces, your dentist can recommend dental implants. Implants are titanium posts that work as replacement roots for missing teeth. The treatment requires oral surgery, during which the dentist will place the implants inside the jawbone. As the surgery site heals, the implants become a part of the jawbone and offer a base for restorations. Implant-supported dentures don’t move around and can restore your smile. Today, dentists can replace all missing teeth using just four implants. You can also benefit from implant-supported crowns and bridges. Unlike traditional bridges, implant-supported bridges don’t require buffing or preparing the adjacent teeth, which makes them a better choice.
Have a question about these options? Visit your dental clinic in Livermore to get bespoke advice from your dentist. They can explain the best treatments for your concerns along with the pros and cons of each.