7 Ways Cosmetic Dentistry Can Boost Your Smile Confidence

You’re already familiar with general and restorative dentistry, which includes your biannual cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental fillings, and other common services. But if you’re new to cosmetic dentistry, you may be unfamiliar with what exactly it can do for your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry is all about helping patients achieve a beautiful smile that makes them feel youthful, attractive, and most importantly, confident. Many cosmetic dentistry services also help improve your overall oral health, meaning when you invest in cosmetic care, you’re also investing in healthier teeth and gums.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ways cosmetic dentistry can benefit your smile.

1. Professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile.

Store-bought whitening strips may be convenient, but nothing is as effective (and safe!) as professional teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening uses the highest-quality, stain-lifting products and a whitening treatment plan that’s designed by a skilled dentist. Both factors ensure you get excellent, bright results while minimizing sensitivity and eliminating risks of enamel damage.

Dr. Fenn offers customized professional at-home whitening treatment kits for his patients.

2. Bridges or dental implants can fill in gaps from lost teeth.

Missing teeth are not uncommon, as 69% of middle-aged adults have at least one missing tooth (not including wisdom teeth). It goes without saying that missing teeth are also one of the most obvious smile flaws that motivate people to seek out cosmetic solutions.

Porcelain bridges and dental implants are both popular solutions that combine restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain bridges are a semi-permanent method of filling a gap in your smile using dental crowns to literally bridge the gap. Dental implants are a permanent solution and are considered the superior option due to their beauty and additional health benefits.

3. Porcelain veneers can completely transform your smile.

Are you more interested in a total smile makeover than spot-fixing trouble areas? Porcelain veneers are going to be a great option!

Porcelain veneers are the classic smile makeover made famous by actors, actresses, and influencers. However, porcelain veneers are ideal for anyone who wants a new smile they can feel proud to share with those around them.

Porcelain veneers are a permanent cosmetic solution, and each set of veneers is customized to fit your vision of an ideal smile. The process of getting veneers is a little more involved than some other forms of cosmetic dentistry, but rest assured you’ll be thrilled with the results when you walk out with your permanent new smile.

4. Porcelain crowns can protect weakened or damaged teeth.

Another dual cosmetic-restorative service that can really boost your smile and oral health is porcelain crowns. There are two ways your smile can benefit from porcelain crowns.

Firstly, if you have a tooth that’s weakened from decay, gum disease, or an injury, a porcelain crown can save your tooth from extraction. After the decay is removed, the gum disease is treated, or you’ve received root canal therapy, your tooth will be protected with a beautiful porcelain crown.

Secondly, if your tooth is healthy but cosmetically unattractive due to permanent discoloration, chipping, or normal wear and tear, a porcelain crown can help solve the problem.

5. Tooth-colored dental fillings can replace old silver fillings.

Sometimes a little touch-up is all it takes to make a big difference in your smile confidence. Silver amalgam fillings are not nearly as popular as they once were decades ago, and now it’s common for all dental fillings to be done with a tooth-colored composite material that matches your tooth’s natural color. But what about those old silver fillings you might have? They can be replaced!

Dr. Fenn can remove your old silver fillings and replace them with new composite fillings. By removing your silver fillings, your smile will look younger, brighter, and healthier. In many cases, removing old fillings and replacing them with new fillings also protects your oral health, as fillings don’t last forever. You may be due for a replacement without realizing it!

6. Dental bonding can refresh your smile in one visit.

Dental bonding is an alternative to porcelain veneers that could be perfect for someone who doesn’t want a permanent smile makeover.

With dental bonding, Dr. Fenn will artistically sculpt a composite resin material (similar to the tooth-colored filling material) over the front surface of your teeth. During this process, he’ll cover and fill in any small gaps, chips, and other surface flaws. The composite resin can also be a brighter white shade than your natural tooth color for an added boost!

Dental bonding only lasts for a few years, but it’s very affordable and often yields excellent results. It can also be a wonderful introduction to cosmetic dentistry for someone who is considering porcelain veneers but isn’t quite ready to make that level of commitment yet.

7. Gum contouring can balance high gums and short teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about the teeth; it’s also about the balance between your teeth and gums! Gummy smiles are fairly common, and although many people find them to be charming, there are a number of individuals who want more of a balance between their gum-to-teeth ratio.

Gum contouring can help you achieve a more balanced smile, even if you have low gums coupled with short teeth. Dr. Fenn will use the latest technology to guide back your gumline and expose more tooth surface. In many cases, porcelain veneers may be coupled with gum contouring to achieve the best look possible.

Ready to learn how cosmetic dentistry can benefit your unique smile?

Everyone’s smile is unique and not everyone has the same goals or ideas for what their dream smile looks like. The best way to begin creating your dream smile plan is to schedule a consultation with the Tory Hill Dental team.

Your consultation will include a thorough examination and plenty of time to chat with Dr. Fenn about what you’d like to change about your smile. From there, you’ll design a treatment plan and get started!

You can book your consultation now by calling our office, or if our office is closed, you can fill out this quick online form.