Cosmetic dentistry is a huge industry in the USA, predicted to reach a net worth of $30 billion by 2025.
Are Americans unnaturally obsessed with their teeth, or can you gain real benefits from having a healthy, beautiful smile?
If you’re unhappy with the current state of your smile or suffer from uneven, chipped teeth, you’ll agree that your smile can affect your confidence immeasurably. In this case, you need to visit a cosmetic dentist in Houston right away.
Here’s how to improve your smile and your life with cosmetic dentistry.
A Quick Fix for Your Teeth
A professional cleaning from your dentist is one of the quickest and best ways to keep your teeth healthy and brighten your look.
This procedure focuses on removing stains and helps prevent teeth decay. It’s also the cheapest option if your teeth are in relatively good condition.
During this procedure, it’s easy for your dentist to pick up any issues with your teeth that could develop into more serious problems down the line.
If regular cleanings aren’t enough to give you the dazzling grin you want, several other cosmetic dentistry treatments will.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is for more than appearances. Some of these procedures help you speak more clearly, chew better, and prevent TMJ headaches.
Cosmetic and family dentistry professionals work closely together to correct serious dentition issues and damage as well as conditions that can become more serious in the future.
These are your options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry:
1. Teeth Whitening
Tooth discoloration is common as time wears on although you can limit it by avoiding bad lifestyle choices. Smoking, poor dental hygiene, and drinking things like wine and coffee can discolor your teeth.
This straightforward procedure involves using chemical formulations to whiten and brighten your smile. It’s never a good idea to attempt this procedure using over-the-counter or home remedies. You won’t get the anticipated results, and you could harm your tooth enamel.
2. Tooth Straightening
Braces and aligners are popular treatments for misaligned teeth, particularly for children.
When you opt for this procedure, your dentist takes a mold or 3-D scan of your mouth so they can figure out how best to help you.
Then they’ll tailor-make a metal brace solution or clear aligners to suit your needs. Many adults prefer the clear aligner option as it’s less visible.
Both methods work effectively when they’re used correctly, but metal braces offer greater convenience. Removing aligners every time you eat and cleaning them religiously can become tedious.
Metal braces also work best in extreme situations.
3. Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding’s a quick and easy way to fix small chips, cracks, and stains on your teeth. It works by covering up these defects.
During this process, your dentist applies a strong bonding solution, that matches the color of your teeth, to the affected area.
They can usually complete the procedure within one session and bonding lasts for many years if maintained properly.
4. Tooth Veneers
If you have crooked teeth or unsightly gaps between your teeth, you should get porcelain veneers. These consist of a long-lasting cover that hides the front of your teeth to create an even appearance.
The procedure’s a little lengthier than bonding, but veneers last much longer.
5. Enamel Shaping
Enamel shaping is often a good alternative to more extreme orthodontic treatments like braces.
It works well if you have irregularly shaped, or overlapping teeth, so they align with your other teeth. During this procedure, your dentist shaves down the offending teeth to create an even appearance.
Enamel shaping’s commonly used with bonding to create a completely new look.
6. Bridges and Crowns
Bridges and crowns are both effective solutions in cases of extreme tooth damage or decay.
Crowns comprise an acrylic, porcelain, or resin cap that your dentist molds to fit over the affected tooth. Next, they fuse this cap to your teeth, so they don’t come out when you eat.
If you take good care of a crown, it may last up to 15 years, but they aren’t a permanent solution.
7. Dental Implants
Dental implants offer a complete and long-lasting solution for missing or misshapen teeth. They’re the pinnacle of modern cosmetic dentistry and the most expensive solution.
Your dentist custom-makes your implants from scratch, so they can craft them to your exact specifications. Once they’ve created and fitted the implants they screw them into your jawbone using stainless steel pins.
It makes sense that you’ll need enough healthy bone in your jaw to support these attachments, so an extensive exam and X-ray are usually the first step in this lengthy procedure.
How long does it take to get dental implants? You’re looking at about six months from start to finish.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
Although all medical treatments involve some risk, especially if you opt for a surgical procedure, cosmetic dentistry usually goes without a hitch.
For the best, safest results, you should always consult a specialist dentist to see to your cosmetic dentistry needs.
Cosmetic Dentistry Cost
Depending on the condition of your teeth and the cosmetic dentistry procedures you need, you could pay up to $45,000 to get the results you want.
Even a simple fix like tooth whitening costs around $650. Thankfully, as techniques and technology become more widespread, it’s easier to track down affordable cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Keep Smiling
The best way to avoid the expense of cosmetic dentistry is to practice rigorous dental hygiene.
Brush and floss your teeth daily and don’t ever skip your routine dental checkups. A healthy diet goes a long way toward keeping your smile healthy too.
If you’d like to find more reasons to smile, keep browsing our blog for useful lifestyle tips.
