One of the first things people see about you is your smile. Naturally, you want it looking as good as possible. So you do your best to take excellent care of your teeth. You brush your teeth at least two times a day, using an ADA accepted toothbrush and toothpaste. You floss every day. You use mouthwash to keep gingivitis from attacking. You even monitor your food and drink so that you’re not eating too much sugar when you’re away from your toothbrush. You don’t want sweet food and drink coating your teeth and causing bacteria to form. That wouldn’t be good. But even though you’ve done all those things, you’re still unhappy with your smile. Maybe your teeth are curved. Maybe they are permanently stained and no amount of whitening systems (the at-home systems that you’ve tried) will whiten them to your satisfaction. Maybe you had some teeth knocked out or maybe some of your adult teeth never grew in. Maybe you sense like your front teeth are too large. Whatsoever the case may be, you’ve been bearing in mind cosmetic dentistry to solve your dental woes. But the question remains-is cosmetic dentistry right for you?

Maybe. Here are some of the options available for you in cosmetic dentistry.

Tooth whitening: specialized bleaching brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. It can remove the staining that at-home whitening systems can’t. This may be done at the dentist’s office.

Bonding: this can get better the look of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained or have wide, unsightly spaced between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are “bonded” or applied to the tooth exterior.

Enamel Shaping: this involves modifying the shape of your teeth to get better their appearance by removing or contouring the enamel. This process, which is usually mutual with bonding, is quick and comfortable and yields immediate results.

Veneers: these are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front side of the teeth. They are made from tooth-colored materials, and can treat spaced between the teeth, chipped or worn teeth, or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or crooked teeth.

Braces: these are usually some form of wires that are temporarily attached to your teeth. You will recognize them as the metal bars frequently seen on young teenagers. But they’re not just for kids. They are for crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth. The results are not immediate but they are effective.

If you feel that you have any of the circumstances described above, then cosmetic dentistry may be right for you! You dentist can perform many of the events needed. If s/he does not feel contented doing so, contact a specialist. (For example, most braces are applied by an orthodontist). However, your dentist should be able to answer many of the questions you may have about the techniques used. If you are bearing in mind one of these treatments, here are a few questions to ask yourself to settle on which one is right for you:

• What will the changes look like?

• What should I expect through the course of the treatment?

• What type of maintenance will be required?

• How much time will be involved?

• How much does it cost?

If you are on a time schedule to fix your crooked teeth, braces may not be right for you. If you want whiter teeth but don’t want to spend a fortune, perhaps a simple bleaching is the correct choice. Discuss these questions with your dentist before deciding.

About The Author...

Dr. Stephen J. Matarazzo, DDS, is a popular Quincy, Massachusetts dentist specializing in Smile Makeovers, Qunicy Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. To learn more about how Dr. Matarazzo and the South Shore Smile Center can help to restore your brilliant smile, visit the South Shore Smile Center or call (617) 471-8882.

Cosmetic dentistry