Woman with a beautiful smile
Chips, cracks, stains, and gaps – these are all some of the “character flaws” that people commonly have in their smiles. But if you feel like you have enough character as it is and would rather correct these kinds of imperfections, a cosmetic dentist in upper Arlington talks about the many options available to you today. If you’ve put off seeking out dental care because you thought it might be too involved, you may be surprised that you can still get great results with less dental work than you may have realized. Whether it’s professional whitening to take years off your appearance or straightening your teeth without traditional braces, there’s an option just for you.
What Procedures Can You Use to Transform Your Smile?
Whitening
This is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic procedures, and for good reason. With minimal time and effort, you can achieve up to ten shades difference in the color of your teeth.
There are two main types of whitening to consider:
- Zoom! Whitening – This is an in-office procedure and will give you the fastest, most dramatic results. During your appointment, you’ll wear trays that contain a whitening solution and a light will be applied to accelerate the process. Then you’ll leave around an hour later with your final result!
- Take-home Trays – This will give you similar results but will simply take more time. You’ll receive custom-made trays and a supply of whitening gel, and will wear the trays each day at home for 1-4 hours until you have the result you’d like (typically around two weeks).
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, strong “shells” that are cemented to the front part of a tooth. They’re an excellent option for a large number of cosmetic issues!
- Minor crowding
- Misshapen or uneven teeth
- Gaps
- Chips
In addition, if you have teeth with severe staining that don’t respond to traditional whitening treatments, porcelain veneers may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Invisalign
If you have crooked or crowded teeth but don’t want to spend years in brackets and wires, Invisalign may be your best bet. This treatment uses clear trays called aligners to straighten your teeth, and the best part is that no one will be able to tell you’re having orthodontic treatment.
The average length of time it takes to complete treatment is about 12 months, but will depend on your individual case.
How Do You Know What Will Work Best For You?
The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for these procedures is to have a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. They’ll do a thorough assessment of your smile and can use photographs and other images to discuss their recommendations.
They’ll also take other considerations into account, such as your lifestyle and budget, to make sure you get the best results possible.
There’s no need to go through life feeling less than great about your appearance. With all of the options available today, you can easily have a beautiful smile and the confidence that goes with it!
About the Author
Dr. Angela Courtney and Dr. Christy Cox are general and cosmetic dentists with a passion for aesthetics. They offer comprehensive cosmetic services for a wide range of issues and love seeing the impact that a great smile can have on their patient’s lives. They always combine the latest technology with an artistic touch to deliver outstanding results. They can be reached for questions via their website, or at (614) 451-7393.