Even though many people might be lucky enough not to need braces or any other dental corrections in their younger years, they might still not be completely happy with how their smile appears. The appearance of teeth can become increasingly important as younger people transition into their adult years and think about their career goals. For many jobs, your appearance is an important aspect of looking presentable, so fixing any imperfections might become a higher priority.
Likewise, older patients might decide to have their smile corrected because it has changed over time and might not look the way they want. That’s where cosmetic dentistry can come into play!
The skilled cosmetic dentists at Little Rock Family Dental Care have been helping patients throughout Arkansas who visit our office to either discover a smile they did not know they had or refine their existing appearance to achieve their desired look.
Cosmetic Dentistry Options
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are many routes your dentist might recommend depending on your health history, the current state of your teeth, and other factors.
Cosmetic dentistry can be used to make many aesthetic changes and might include, but is not limited to, a number of changes like:
- Fix a Chipped Teeth – This might be done by enamel filling or various types of tooth restoration such as crowns and bridges or veneers, which are a type of tooth bonding that can build up a chipped tooth to reconstruct it to its original look.
- Fix Crooked Teeth – If minor imperfections are a bother, patients might opt for tooth shaping or other aesthetic options as mentioned previously. While they will not straighten teeth in the traditional sense like braces or other orthodontic methods might, cosmetic options that fix the look of a tooth by creating a cohesive look with the teeth around it might aid patients in finding more confidence in their smile.
- Teeth Whitening– A lack of confidence in one’s smile can be a major reason why people seek cosmetic options to fix it. Luckily, teeth whitening can be a great way for patients to regain confidence in their smile! With just a few treatments and periodic touchups, you can have a whiter, brighter smile in a short period of time!
There are times when cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry go hand-in-hand. For instance, when emergency dentistry involves replacing an adult tooth that has fallen out or been knocked out, a broken jaw, or other immediate emergency needs, your dentist and his or her team will need to work quickly to ensure your teeth function the way they need to while also looking like any other smile.
How Dentists Determine The Right Cosmetic Treatment for Your Teeth
When you and your dentist decide to pursue cosmetic dentistry options to restore your self esteem and give you a confident smile you can be proud of, you will follow a few steps regardless of the treatment. First, the dentist will recommend a cosmetic consultation to thoroughly assess and evaluate your mouth.
The dentist will look for things during your assessment like any staining or tooth discoloration that might need to be corrected; identify which, if any, teeth are missing to replace with options like veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants, or other options; identify gaps between teeth that might be corrected with shaping or tooth bonding; and other needs that cosmetic dentistry can address.
Following that assessment, a customized treatment plan will be followed with the end goal being the smile you hope to achieve through cosmetic dentistry.
Contact Our Little Rock Cosmetic Dentists
If you aren’t happy with the way your teeth look and want to see if cosmetic dentistry is right for you, contact the experienced team at Little Rock Family Dental Care! We can determine the right plan for you and find a way to make the smile you’ve dreamt about become a reality!