3 Cosmetic Dental Procedures That Could Drastically Improve The Way Your Teeth Look

If your teeth are healthy but have some cosmetic issues, a visit to a cosmetic dentist can help you discover the types of procedures available that will make your teeth look nicer. This branch of dentistry is designed specifically to improve the way teeth look, and there are many types of services included in cosmetic dentistry. Here are three of the procedures a cosmetic dentist may recommend to you to help your teeth look nicer.

Composite White Fillings

Most dentists now offer composite fillings for cavities, and these fillings are white like your teeth. Before these were available, dentists used amalgam fillings, better known as silver fillings. While amalgam fillings are very strong and durable, they do not look great, especially when they are on teeth that can be seen when you smile.

If you want to have a smile that looks more appealing, a cosmetic dentist might suggest beginning by replacing any old amalgam fillings with composite fillings. The fillings the dentist replaces the old ones with will match your teeth, so no one will be able to see the silver fillings anymore. This process is fairly easy, but it will require getting your mouth numbed. After the dentist numbs your mouth, he or she will drill out the old fillings and put the new ones in.

Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring, also called tooth reshaping, is another procedure your cosmetic dentist may recommend. Tooth contouring is a process that is used to reshape teeth that are not properly shaped. For example, if you have a tooth that has a chip in it, a dentist may suggest tooth contouring to fix it. Tooth contouring can be used to fix a lot of different imperfections that relate to the shape of your teeth, including teeth that are too small and teeth that are oddly shaped.

This process typically uses the same material as is used for composite dental fillings. The dentist can apply the composite material to the teeth that are misshaped, and he or she can use the material to correct the shapes of all the teeth that are misshaped. Your dentist may need to do this to just a few teeth, or the dentist may recommend contouring most of the teeth in your mouth.

When the process is complete, your teeth will look more even, and you will no longer have teeth that do not look normal. You will notice a huge difference after this procedure is complete.

Teeth Bleaching

Teeth bleaching is another common service offered by cosmetic dentists, and this is done to make your teeth whiter and brighter. Teeth bleaching works great for natural teeth that have normal stains, but it may not offer great results for teeth that contain intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains are stains located on the inner parts of your teeth. If you have stains like this, teeth bleaching might not be the best choice.

Another thing to consider is that teeth bleaching does not change the color of composite fillings. If your dentist completed tooth contouring, teeth bleaching may also not be the best option for you.

An alternative to teeth bleaching is composite whitening. With composite whitening, the dentist will apply the composite material over all your teeth as a way of making them whiter. This method will offer more long-term results for your teeth, and it is a great option when teeth bleaching will not work.

Getting a nicer-looking smile can take time and work, but it can be well worth it. If you would like to learn more about this, contact a cosmetic dentist like David Jackson, DDS in your area today.