In the past, cosmetic dentistry was only accessible to a very small percentage of the population. Movie stars, fashion models, and other individuals who relied heavily on their appearance would use composite resin to cover imperfections in their teeth, albeit for very short periods of time. Now, more people have access to cosmetic dentistry than ever before. Picking and choosing the treatment that best suits your needs is simple and more affordable.
So what treatments are popular now? How do you decide which is best for your smile? A cosmetic dentist in Collierville explores that and more in today’s blog.
Teeth Whitening
When it comes to popular treatments, teeth whitening is arguably the most popular. Not only is it one of the cheaper solutions to removing stains from teeth, but it can be done incredibly quick. In-office whitening can take as little as one hour to complete and does not necessarily require a hot dental lamp to activate. By applying, allowing the bleaching gel to permeate your enamel and break down molecules inside your enamel and dentin, then removing and restarting the process, you can have your smile whiten several shades all in one appointment.
Another popular option is take-home whitening, which uses the same professional whitening found in-office, but allows you to take it home. By wearing special whitening trays filled with gel for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day for two weeks, you can achieve the same level of whitening.
Porcelain Veneers
As mentioned earlier, movie stars would use composite resin veneers to temporarily hide their teeth while they shot scenes. Nowadays, porcelain as been taken the lead for veneers. If you’ve ever watched your favorite celebrity walk on the red carpet or in your favorite movie, chances are more than likely they have porcelain veneers on their teeth. Not only is porcelain an ideal material for its appearance, but its long-term durability. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last at least 10 years and even longer.
Invisalign
Invisalign has built quite a reputation over the years since it first launched over two decades ago. Instead of relying on metal braces, which hide your smile and negatively affect your appearance, clear aligners help you shift teeth without anyone around you noticing. They’re also removable, so you won’t have to make dramatic changes to your eating or oral care habits just to realign your teeth.
Smile Makeover
Many of these treatments have their own unique applications, but sometimes it make sense to utilize multiple treatments if you have extensive issues you’d like to fix. For example, you can begin whitening your teeth now while still undergoing Invisalign treatment. Or, you can pursue porcelain veneers to start and solve multiple problems simultaneously, depending on your preference.
Smile makeovers have become incredibly common in recent decades, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Collierville today!
About the Author
Dr. Joshua A. Holcomb earned his DDS degree from the College of Dentistry at UT Memphis. He completes over 100 hours of continuing education every year in order to stay on top of the cutting edge of numerous dental techniques, treatments and products. To learn more about his practice, you can contact him through his website.