Are you unhappy with the current appearance of your smile? Whether you have a couple of chipped teeth, discoloration, or gaps, it can be difficult to feel confident when you don’t want to show off your teeth. Fortunately, there is a wide range of cosmetic solutions out there for a wide variety of dental imperfections. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common flaws and their solutions!
Discoloration
This is likely the most common cosmetic issue that people dislike about their teeth. Discoloration occurs naturally over time. Whether your teeth are becoming stained due to smoking, dark-pigmented foods, medication, or aging, there are a few different ways that your dentist can help. The most common solution is professional teeth whitening. In-office treatment and take-home kits are both available from your dentist and can help you achieve dramatic results very quickly. For more stubborn, intrinsic staining, veneers are also a great solution.
Gapped Teeth
When the teeth are spaced too far apart from each other, unsightly gaps can form. In addition to taking away from your appearance, they allow for more accumulation of food debris and plaque that can result in tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, smaller gaps can be mixed with cosmetic bonding or veneers. This can improve your appearance and help to improve your oral health.
Broken Teeth
If you have a tooth that has been damaged, there is a solution! Smaller cracks and breaks can be masked with cosmetic bonding. This is molded and bonded with your tooth, leaving you with a natural-looking result. Larger chips can often be repaired with a veneer. If your tooth is more severely damaged, your dentist may be able to preserve your tooth with a root canal and crown. For teeth that are beyond repair, they can be extracted and replaced with a dental bridge or implant.
Irregularly Shaped/ Uneven Teeth
There are several different things that can make this happen. Sometimes, irregularly shaped teeth occur due to bruxism. Other times, this is a genetic issue. There are several different treatments that can help. For smaller changes, your dentist can contour your teeth to appear more even. To do this, they shave away a small amount of the tooth’s protective enamel. Another option is cosmetic bonding. This uses a tooth-colored resin to alter the shape, length, and width of the tooth. For more dramatic fixes, veneers are likely the solution.
No matter what imperfection is bothering you, there is a solution. You’ll be showing off your smile with confidence in no time!
About the Practice
At Patriot Dental, Dr. Keith Lisonbee and Dr. Dan Henry work together to serve patients in the Pensacola community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need at one convenient location. They offer a wide array of cosmetic services to help patients feel their best about their smiles. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (850) 477-1120.