Many people have something about their smiles that they would like to change. Whether it’s gapped teeth, alignment problems, discoloration, or something else, seeing areas for improvement with your pearly whites isn’t out of the ordinary. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can fix a range of smile flaws to give you a more gorgeous grin. Read on to learn about three common cosmetic dental flaws as well as treatments that can fix them.
#1: Stained or Discolored Teeth
One of the most common cosmetic dental problems that patients deal with is stained teeth. Years of drinking coffee, tea, and red wine, practicing bad dental habits like smoking, taking certain medications, and not brushing your teeth properly can leave them looking dull and discolored. Though some of these things are inevitable, that doesn’t mean that you have to live with a smile you don’t love.
There are a few cosmetic dental treatments that can fix these issues. Teeth whitening lifts stains from one’s smile to make it look brighter and more uniform. In-office treatments can be completed in about an hour, and at home treatments can make a noticeable difference with 30 minutes of use per day over two weeks or so.
#2: Misshapen Teeth
Irregularly shaped or uneven teeth are another one of the more common cosmetic dental flaws and can be caused by several things, such as genetics and teeth grinding. Having a misshapen grin can cause functional bite issues and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. It can also make you look older by causing wrinkles and not properly supporting your jaw and facial structure.
Your dentist may be able to fix misshapen teeth with metal-free restorations like dental crowns. They can be placed over the tooth to change its size and shape. This will make it match the surrounding teeth for a more uniform smile.
#3: Crooked Teeth
A straight smile is visually pleasing and is much easier to clean than a crooked one. Invisalign is a great orthodontic option that moves crooked teeth into a better position over a series of months or years. Porcelain veneers are another way to fix crooked teeth. They can make minor changes to the look of your smile in just two appointments. Cosmetic bonding can correct the same issues as porcelain veneers but is less expensive as well as less durable.
As you can see, there are several treatments that can be used to correct cosmetic dental issues. If you have any of the above cosmetic dental flaws, contact your dentist so you can work together to come up with the best way to give you a gorgeous, healthy-looking smile you love!
About the Author
Dr. Grant D. Ringler is a dentist who practices in Hutchinson. With the help of his exceptional team, he has worked to created a warm, inviting dental office so patients can feel safe, at peace, and well cared for from the moment they walk through the door. If you have cosmetic dental flaws that are preventing you from loving your smile, he offers treatments like porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, and metal-free restorations that can help. Call Dr. Ringler’s office at (620) 708-4045 or visit his website to get started.