A great smile can be the most attractive feature of your face, and that great smile means more to others than you may realize. It is important in personal, business, and social settings. It can also be important for most jobs or careers since a great smile conveys health, success, confidence and youth. In today’s society, most everyone wants a whiter, more beautiful smile. Dentistry today offers several ways to accomplish that goal.
Dental Veneers
A dental veneer is a thin covering of porcelain that is permanently bonded to your natural tooth. The dentist will remove a very thin layer of enamel from the front and sides of a tooth leaving the rest of the tooth untouched. This helps provide room for the veneer and prevents the tooth from looking bulky. The color is chosen to provide a whiter, but natural appearing smile. A dental veneer can be used to cover discolorations of teeth, close gaps, or help with tooth alignment. There is no special maintenance for teeth treated with dental veneers other than good daily hygiene.
Composite Fillings or “Bonding”
Resin composite is the primary filling material used today in dentistry. Composite is better known as the “tooth colored fillings”. This form of bonding can be used when a tooth has decay, a tooth is chipped, a patient would like a space filled between teeth, or to cover a discolored area on a tooth. Some patients also choose to use resin composite to replace existing silver fillings for a more esthetic look. Composite fillings and bonding are not an invasive procedure and can help improve the overall appearance of a smile. This material has also proven itself over the long term to generally be as durable as the silver amalgam fillings.
Smile Makeovers
Many patients choose to have “smile makeovers” to enhance their smile or restore their smile to a more youthful appearance. This term describes treatment to the teeth that may involve one or more of the procedures listed above. Generally, the front six to ten teeth are involved in treatment since they are the most visible. Tooth replacement can also be a part of a smile makeover.