One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if your teeth are chipped, cracked, stained, slightly gapped, or mildly misaligned, you might worry about being judged. Some folks with dental flaws feel so self-conscious about their looks that they develop anxiety, depression, or avoid spending time with others.
Thankfully, your dentist can improve your appearance with one or more cosmetic dental procedures, but many patients are concerned that these treatments might harm their oral health. Continue reading to learn more about these options and why they’re considered safe for most!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to the different services your dentist offers that are intended to improve your looks more than your oral health. This can include topical treatments, like professional-grade teeth whitening to reduce stains or dental bonding to fix chips and cracks. However, it can also refer to different restorations used to upgrade your grin, like placing porcelain veneers to hide imperfections or replacing dark silver fillings with tooth-colored resin.
If you’re unsure the best way to improve your appearance, you can schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss your concerns and goals. Then, they can recommend appropriate methods to help you meet them.
Are Cosmetic Dental Procedures Safe?
If you’re worried that enhancing your appearance means that you’ll be sacrificing your oral health to improve your looks, you can fortunately set your fears aside. Your provider is happy to help boost your confidence, but their primary concern is your oral health.
Furthermore, most cosmetic procedures are considered minimally invasive because they don’t involve needles or surgery. Before proceeding with any elective treatment, however, your dentist will examine your mouth to ensure that no pre-existing problems, like cavities or gum disease, interfere with the results. If they find any issues, they’ll address them first before proceeding to avoid painful complications or adverse effects.
Am I A Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Potentially, anyone who isn’t 100% happy with the way their grin looks can benefit from one or more cosmetic options, but that doesn’t mean every service is right for everyone. Your dentist will work with you to provide an individualized treatment plan taking your unique needs and current dental condition into account.
Whether you want a brighter smile or to hide flawed enamel, your dentist can provide services that enhance your appearance and boost your confidence!
Meet the Author
Dr. Abdel More is passionate about helping families in Matthews improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his first dental degree from the University of Medical Sciences in Villa Clara, Cuba, then moved to the United States and graduated from the International Dental Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages conveniently under one roof, including cosmetic dentistry. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (704) 844-0556.