Perfection. It’s something many people try and fail to achieve in life. At some point, you’re going to make a mistake, experience a problem, or have something unpleasant happen to you. Likewise, perfect teeth are possible, but cosmetic dental flaws do happen as you go through life. Which ones are the most common? How can they be fixed? This post explains below!
Tooth Discoloration
Out of all the flaws your teeth can develop throughout your lifetime, probably the most common is discoloration. Yellow, dull hues can occur because of exposure to deeply pigmented foods and drinks. Substances like tomato sauce, red wine, coffee, chocolate, and more can leave your teeth looking older, less luminous, and more stained.
To correct stained teeth, the easiest, fastest method is teeth whitening. Store-bought products have the same active ingredient as professional-grade ones, but the concentration pales in comparison. With a powerful bleaching agent, your dentist can whiten your teeth by as many as 10 shades in about an hour or two weeks if you decide to treat at home on your own.
In some cases, such as if you’re taking certain medications, bleaching will not change the color, and veneers or cosmetic bonding must be used to replace the discoloration.
Chips and Cracks
Enamel makes the hardest, strongest material in the human body, but it is rather thin. If you get hit in the face, bite down on something excessively hard, or have another mishap, your enamel may crack or chip off.
Should the tooth need more intensive treatment, a root canal and a metal-free crown can restore your tooth’s appearance. Supposing the damage is purely cosmetic, a milder solution like veneers or cosmetic bonding may be better.
Veneers consist of sheets of porcelain that are fabricated to look like the real shell of teeth. This covering is placed onto the front surface of a flawed tooth, hiding the imperfection and presenting a correction that looks realistic and beautiful. Cosmetic bonding can have a similar effect, but it is merely composite resin, the substance used for fillings, which covers and fills in for any damaged tooth structure.
Gaps Between Teeth
To achieve an attractive smile, ideally you need to have evenly spaced teeth, but if you have noticeable gaps between your front or other teeth, it may detract from your overall aesthetic. Compensating for small gaps entails using veneers or cosmetic bonding. However, if you have substantial shifting to do with your teeth, Invisalign clear aligners can give you a better bite and stunning smile.
Regardless of the type of flaw(s) you see in your teeth right now, know that your dentist offers services that can correct them and give you a smile you love to show off. You’ll need to schedule a consultation with your dentist to identify the best treatment(s) for you!
About the Practice
Frandsen Dental of Grantsville has dentists on staff who have practiced for multiple decades. Knowing every patient is unique, we design a treatment plan for each one based on their needs and smile goals. Our team does everything we can to make your experience with us as easy and enjoyable as possible, which is why we are proud to offer flexible financing on all treatments, including cosmetic services. If you would like to schedule a consultation with us, call our Grantsville office at 435-884-3002 or contact us online here.