What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

REVEAL A BETTER-LOOKING SMILE WITH COSMETIC DENTISTRY
The majority of your trips to the dentist focus on improving your dental health. This includes oral exams and professional cleanings, as well as procedures to repair problems like cavities. Cosmetic dentistry is a group of treatments performed to improve the overall look of your smile. If your smile is healthy, but it doesn’t look as bright or even as you would like, talk to your board-certified dentist in Cary, NC about cosmetic dentistry. At DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads, our team is skilled in many cosmetic dental treatments that we are able to recommend based on your goals. If you want a more natural-looking grin, then you may be a fantastic candidate for professional teeth whitening or dental bonding and contouring. If you want a beautiful Hollywood smile, you may be a better candidate for orthodontics or porcelain veneers. You can choose one treatment to see how much you like the results or jump right in with a full smile makeover. Before you schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation at your dentist in Cary, NC, learn if you are a good candidate and about some of the most popular cosmetic treatments.

ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Not everybody is a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Your teeth have to be healthy and strong. Many dentists in Cary, NC will not perform a cosmetic treatment if you have any problems, including periodontal disease. This is to protect you from pain or making the problem worse. For example, performing teeth whitening when you have damaged enamel can make your teeth painfully sensitive. However, your dentist can help put together a plan to restore your dental health before you start cosmetic treatments. It’s also advisable to have a good home oral hygiene routine before you get a cosmetic treatment. This will help you maintain your results and keep your teeth healthy.

COSMETIC TREATMENTS
Whatever concerns you have about the overall look of your smile, there’s probably a cosmetic treatment for it. At DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads, we improve chipped teeth, gaps in your smile, dull or yellow enamel, gummy smiles, and more. These are some of the most popular cosmetic treatments:

  • LASER GUM SCULPTING
    Having a gummy smile is a common issue among people in Cary, NC who are interested in cosmetic dentistry. Laser gum sculpting is performed to effectively remove excess soft tissue for a better ratio of teeth to gums.
  • HOME TOOTH WHITENING
    Instead of guessing which over-the-counter whitening kit is right for you, your dentist can build a custom professional whitening kit to use at home. Your dentist will customize your whitening kit with the proper level of whitening gel to suit your goals. They can also make custom whitening trays, which will feel more comfortable and produce more even results.
  • LASER TEETH WHITENING
    If you want a brighter smile faster, in-office laser teeth whitening is a smart choice. The professional whitening product is carefully applied to your enamel and then activated by the laser energy to remove years of stains. In a single trip, your teeth could be visibly brighter.
  • PORCELAIN VENEERS
    Cosmetic veneers are a thin porcelain shell that is bonded to the front of your visible teeth. Slightly transparent for a more natural look, veneers can hide discoloration, gaps, microdontia, and other visible concerns.
  • SMILE MAKEOVER
    In case you have multiple problems, your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan for your smile makeover. This might include teeth straightening with orthodontics, then whitening to brighten your enamel or laser gum sculpting to correct a gummy smile. Your smile makeover may include whatever you would like to transform your smile.
  • DENTAL BONDING AND CONTOURING
    To mask small aesthetic flaws (for example, small gaps, one or two discolored teeth, short teeth, jagged edges), cosmetic bonding and contouring can be a good option. The dentist bonds a composite resin material to your teeth, then contours both the resin and your natural teeth for a smooth, even finish.
  • ORTHODONTICS
    Teeth in proper alignment will help improve both the appearance of your smile as well as your dental health. With modern options like removable clear aligners, may adults in Cary, NC are getting orthodontics to fix crooked or crowded teeth as well as gaps, buck teeth, underbites, overbites, and other problems.

MAKING YOUR RESULTS LAST
After you choose and receive your cosmetic treatment(s), then you’re going to want to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. For starters, you need to have a good home oral hygiene routine with brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once every day. You may consider investing in an electric toothbrush, which can make it a lot easier to remove enamel stains in contrast to a manual toothbrush. Mouthwash may also be a fantastic addition to help rinse away stains and bacteria after a meal. Appointments should be scheduled at your dentist in Cary, NC at least twice every year for oral health exams and professional cleanings. When your dental team removes built-up plaque and polishes your enamel during a cleaning, it helps brighten your smile. Your dentist can also recommend products to use at home that can suit your dental needs and cosmetic goals. They can also inform you if a treatment (for example, dental veneers, teeth whitening, or dental bonding) must be re-done to refresh your results. If you had an orthodontic treatment, you need to wear a retainer after the main treatment is done. The retainer holds your teeth in place while your gums and jaw adjust, so it is quite important to wear your retainer as often and as long as the dentist recommends.

YOUR SMILE MAKEOVER STARTS NOW
If you’re ready to get a smile makeover, schedule a consultation with your dentist in Cary, NC to learn about your treatment options. If you’re looking for a dentist with experience in smile makeovers, contact DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads. Our team will be happy to perform a smile makeover consultation and produce a treatment plan to fit your needs and wants. We can explain all of the cosmetic and restorative treatments we provide and help you decide which one(s) will help create your best smile.