Did you know that people with dental problems are more likely to experience anxiety and depression? Worrying about how others might judge you can negatively impact your self-confidence and leave you feeling less than worthy. You might even prefer to avoid spending time in social settings, which can detract from your overall quality of life.
Thankfully, your dentist offers several cosmetic services that can enhance your appearance and boost your self-esteem. However, many patients avoid undergoing these elected services because they’re worried they might be painful. Continue reading to learn about three minimally invasive ways to upgrade your grin that don’t usually hurt!
Enhancement #1: Teeth Whitening
Seemingly, everyone wishes they had a bright white smile, though very few people come by them naturally. Years of daily exposure to dark foods and drinks can leave your once-pearly whites looking more yellow or brown.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter gels and pastes with no luck, it may be time to call your dentist. They have access to professional-grade products, like the Opalescence system, that can lighten your teeth by several shades in a single in-office visit without causing sensitivity. You can also ask about take-home kits that include the same ultra-concentrated bleaching agents and custom-fitted trays for optimal results from the comfort of your home.
Enhancement #2: Cosmetic Bonding
If you are frustrated by minor aesthetic flaws in your smile, like chips, cracks, slight gaps, or internal stains that can’t be bleached away, you might be a good candidate for cosmetic dental bonding. For this procedure, your dentist applies a small amount of composite resin to your tooth in layers to rebuild any damaged, missing, or miscolored enamel. Once they’ve molded it into just the right shape, they harden it in place with a special ultraviolet curing light. The material bonds to your enamel and can last 10+ years with the right care.
This cost-effective service often doesn’t require any topical anesthetic and can frequently be completed from start to finish in a single appointment.
Enhancement #3: Veneers
Although some people only want to address one or two issues with their grins, others have teeth that are more severely damaged and discolored. Porcelain veneers are an ideal solution for those needing to address multiple problems simultaneously. These thin ceramic shells are fully customized just for you and then are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to mask imperfections like breaks, fractures, intrinsic stains that can’t be treated topically, minor gaps, and slight overcrowding.
However, to line up correctly with your gums, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel, leaving your teeth somewhat more vulnerable to disease, decay, and damage. Although you’ll be numbed for the procedure, you may feel somewhat sensitive after your appointment. Fortunately, this usually dissipates quickly, and your dental team will provide temporary restorations to safeguard your smile until your permanent ones are delivered.
As you can see, there are cosmetic services that can improve your grin without sacrificing your comfort!
About the Author
Dr. Dina H. Cocco has 34+ years of experience helping people build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. She completed dental school at the University of Michigan in 1989 and is committed to continuing education to deliver the most up-to-date treatments. She combines a friendly and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to increase patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you’re eager to upgrade your grin, you can request a cosmetic consultation on the website or call (734) 668-8636.