How your dentist can help you get a brilliant smile
BY Dr. Scott Westermeier
Having a healthy white smile can make a world of difference in the way you see yourself as well as others. Those who have dental problems may be embarrassed to talk or smile, which can have a negative effect on their social and business lives as well as their self-esteem.
If you feel like your smile could use a little improvement, your dentist can fix virtually any problem and restore your teeth to a brilliant smile.
Cosmetic whitening
Drugstores carry a wide variety of cosmetic whitening agents, from strips to toothpastes to paint-on gels. These work well for people who don't need dramatic changes made to their teeth. However, for people who have deeper stains, a visit to the dentist may be in order for more dramatic whitening.
Cosmetic whitening via the dentist usually involves bleaching or laser whitening. In-office bleaching involves taking impressions of the teeth and then making a customized tray designed specifically to fit the mouth. For the next couple of weeks, the patient fills the tray with bleaching gel and wears it for a specified amount of time each week.
With laser whitening, the dentist first places a tool in the mouth to keep the lips from touching the teeth during treatment. Then, a bleaching gel is applied to the teeth and a laser is shone on the teeth for an hour. This light activates the gel, which in turn whitens the teeth. The dentist may decide to shine the light for longer than an hour, depending on the degree of discoloration.
Dental implants
A dental implant in an artificial tooth root placed by a peridontist and holds a replacement tooth or bridge in place without using nearby teeth for support for the new one. Dental implants are used to save a tooth and hold it in the mouth for people who have lost either a tooth or teeth from injuries, disease, or a number of other reasons. They can also provide support for dentures, making them more secure in the mouth and more comfortable as well.
Braces
If your teeth are crooked but the thought of braces makes you feel like you're back in high school, you may want to consider invisible braces. If you get invisible braces, your dentist will provide you with clear aligners that work to discreetly move your teeth back into place. People who have crowded teeth, gaps in the teeth, or an overbite or under-bite may be candidates for invisible braces, but they are generally reserved for those who have minimal crowding and gaps.
Invisible braces, unlike real braces, are also removable, and many adults prefer them as the appearance of braces isn't so obvious.
There are very few problems that can't be corrected with a little cosmetic dentistry. Whether your problems are more serious and require surgery or implants, or whether you just want to brighten your smile a little, your dentist has the tools and resources to help you get a brilliant smile.
ABOUTH THE AUTHOR
Dr. Scott Westermeier, DDS, and Dr. Jeffrey Martin are leading dentists in Aurora, New York. Dr. Westermeier and Dr. Martin specialize in Aurora Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. Visit us for more information Buffalo Smile Center or call (716) 652-3960.
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