You’re not alone if you’re feeling self-conscious about dental flaws. Every year, millions of Americans spend billions of dollars on cosmetic dental procedures to enhance their appearance and boost their confidence.
It’s natural to want to look your best, but you might avoid scheduling a consultation with your dentist if you’re unsure whether they offer treatments that can address your specific concerns. Continue reading to learn about 3 common issues that can often be improved with one or more aesthetic services!
Concern #1: Stubborn Stains
One of the first things others notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if your teeth look more yellow or brown than pearly white, you might not make a positive impression. Whether the deeper hue comes from repeated exposure to darkly pigmented foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, or wine, or from enamel that has naturally thinned after years of daily wear and tear, your dentist offers services to help.
For example, many providers offer professional-strength take-home whitening kits that contain ultra-concentrated gels designed to reduce potential sensitivity, along with custom-fitted applicator trays for more accurate, comfortable outcomes. They might also cover dental discoloration with cosmetic bonding, which involves placing color-matched composite resin directly onto your teeth.
Concern #2: Worn Down Teeth
Did you know that enamel is the hardest substance made by the human body? It’s even denser than bone, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Years of biting and chewing can eventually wear it down, leaving teeth looking visibly damaged or too short compared to their neighbors.
This can impact your appearance as well as potentially contribute to other issues, like chips, cracks, or misalignments. Your dentist might recommend dental bonding to reshape the biting surface of your teeth, though more significant damage or decay might require a tooth-colored dental crown instead.
Concern #3: Dark Metal Restorations
Historically, dentists fixed teeth with metal dental crowns and amalgam fillings, which contain powdered alloys of metals, such as silver, tin, copper, or zinc, mixed with about 50% liquid mercury as a binding agent. Although these repairs are incredibly durable, they can also cause allergies, sensitivity, or leave teeth looking dark or dirty.
Fortunately, most dentists today offer tooth-colored restorations made from ceramic or composite resin, which can be customized to match the size, shape, and tone of your teeth for results that blend beautifully into your smile.
If you want to address one or more aesthetic dental concerns but aren’t sure which services are right for you, your dentist can provide a customized treatment plan after your initial examination and consultation!
About the Practice
Patients at Next Door Dental benefit from two dentists who are passionate about helping them build beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Garcia, an accomplished general dentist, collaborates with Dr. Bagley, a dedicated sleep dentist, to provide a complete menu of services, including cosmetic procedures, to meet your needs conveniently under one roof. Their caring approach, combined with advanced technology, yields more comfortable, accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (336) 854-5850.