Have you ever had the feeling that you have something stuck in your teeth? How do you interact with others when you feel that way? If you are like most people, you attempt to show your teeth as little as possible until you have the chance to find a mirror and remove the food. This can be uncomfortable and stress-inducing. This type of feeling—on a much more intense level—is what many people with damaged, discolored, or missing teeth experience all the time. They constantly attempt to hide the condition of their teeth by avoiding social situations, keeping smiles small and closed-lipped, and talking only when necessary. Cosmetic dentistry can provide people with these types of teeth problems with solutions that can improve the look of their smile, boost their confidence, and reduce stress. Examples of cosmetic dentistry procedures beyond teeth whitening include veneers, crowns, and dental implants.

Veneers

Veneers are made out of thin pieces of porcelain (other materials are also available) and are customized to fit your teeth. Veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth only. They cover the teeth that show when you smile and can have a big impact on how it looks. People choose to get veneers for a number of reasons. They can be used to cover teeth that are permanently discolored due to injury or stains. In addition, veneers can be used to fix cracks or small chips in certain situations. People can also get veneers to improve the overall aesthetic of their teeth. This is a cosmetic procedure that is customized to your needs and your teeth.

Crowns

Crowns are similar to veneers in some ways. They are often made of porcelain and can be used to cover up discoloration or damage to your teeth. One of the ways that crowns are different than veneers is that they cover most of the tooth. To fit a crown the natural tooth usually has to be shaved down in order to make space for the crown. Crowns can improve the appearance of teeth but they are not only aesthetic. They can also be used to improve the tooth’s structure after major dental work or injury. The decision to get crowns on your teeth is a major one that you should discuss in depth with your dentist.

Dental implants

Dental implants are artificial teeth that are implanted into the jawbone. A part of the implant is screwed into the jaw bone to help create structure and stability for the other teeth. Dental implants are more of a permanent solution than dentures or bridges. They allow people to engage in the same activities that people with their natural teeth can engage in such as eating, smiling, talking, and laughing. Dental implants can prevent many of the issues that people experience when they have teeth missing.

There are a number of cosmetic dentistry options beyond the four mentioned here, and they all have the same core goal—to improve the health and/or aesthetics of patient’s teeth. A healthy, beautiful smile is a source of confidence. Cosmetic dentistry makes it possible for anyone to get the smile they want.