subject: Tired Of Your Smile? Cosmetic Dentistry Offers Improvements Now [print this page] From subtle changes to major oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry techniques can treat an array of dental blemishes and problems including teeth that are discolored, chipped, missing or misshaped. While general dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry is utilized to focus on both the appearance and well-being of your teeth, mouth and smile. With advancements in cosmetic dentistry, your dentist in La Grange and Western Springs has the ability to transform your smile with everything from advanced teeth whitening and translucent tooth coverings to complete smile makeovers.
Let's face it, not everyone is born with a perfect smile, but thanks to the development of cosmetic dentistry, people can change their smile into a smile they are proud to show off. From minor cosmetic changes to an entire smile makeover, your dentist can perform an array of procedures to help improve your smile. Some common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
*Teeth whitening and bleaching
*Bonding
*Crowns
*Veneers
*Contouring and shaping
Veneers Drastically Change Your Smile
If your teeth are cracked, stained, uneven or chipped, veneers may be the perfect option for transforming the most damaged smile. Veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front of your teeth. These thin, porcelain shells are custom-designed by your dentist to perfectly cover and match your natural smile to mask most any dental blemish, including stains and cracks. In some cases, veneers are even a viable alternative to braces.
The procedure requires little to no anesthesia and can be an ideal choice for improving the appearance of your front teeth. Veneers are commonly used to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth and to improve your smile as a whole. Compared to many treatment options, veneers will last a long time, up to 20 years, and correct the alignment of your smile by covering damaged or misshapen teeth.
Teeth Whitening Procedures Create a Brighter, Whiter Smile
After years of drinking tea, coffee, or soda, it is not uncommon for you to develop a discolored smile. Even bad habits such as smoking can darken your once white smile. With teeth whitening, eliminating stains and enhancing your natural white can produce dramatic results in as little as an hour. In-office teeth bleaching performed by a professional dentist involves applying a bleaching gel to the teeth and activating the whitening solution with special lighting for approximately 30 minutes.
Once the bleaching gel has penetrated the stains, it is rinsed off. Your dentist will provide you with trays, custom designed to perfectly fit your teeth so that you can continue the bleaching process at home with a less powerful gel. By using the gel and the trays on a regular basis, you can touch up and continue the bleaching process. Or, if some years later you notice your teeth shade fading, you can use the trays and gel to bleach again, without having to go through the in-office procedure.
Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their teeth. If you are one of the many people who desire a change in your smile, consult your cosmetic dentist in Western Springs and La Grange for more information on your available options. A beautiful smile is within reach with cosmetic dentistry.
