What Are The Top Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

Popular cosmetic procedures for a healthier, brighter, more confident smile.

POSTED BY ANNA GRAHAM

Having a great set of teeth is not only a sign of attractiveness, but it’s also an indicator of good health. Plus, it also lightens your face, making you more approachable. People have become more appearance-conscious, so having a great smile is a great asset that could even grant you favors and land you in all the right places. Because of this, cosmetic dentistry has risen considerably, offering individuals the chance to enhance and achieve the smile of their dreams. Each individual has their own needs, but certain cosmetic dental procedures are in demand, making them crowd favorites. Let’s explore some of these options in today’s article.

Teeth whitening. 

Kickstarting today’s list is probably the most popular of all cosmetic dental procedures—teeth whitening. They’re not called “pearly whites” for no reason, right? While some people are blessed with naturally white smiles, others aren’t that lucky. Whether you consume foods and drinks that stain your teeth, we can’t avoid the looming inevitability of our teeth yellowing because it’s part of the aging process. What we can do is try to maintain it and keep it at bay with teeth whitening treatments. Getting your teeth professionally whitened at Adawn Dental Studio yields instant results; however, it's essential to be mindful of your consumption and maintain good habits so your brighter smile can last longer.

Dental braces. 

Another source of insecurity for some individuals is having misaligned teeth. As a result, these individuals tend to avoid smiling, sometimes even talking, shying away from interaction with others. This is where dental braces come to the rescue; they help improve a person’s crooked or misaligned teeth. For this, the dentist will bond each tooth together using a small bracket embedded with dental cement. This bracket is set in place using a thin wire threaded through the brackets that are secured using a small elastic band. Dental braces are generally not painful, but you may experience certain sensitivity and a pulling sensation since the primary function of dental braces is to align your teeth.

Veneers. 

For people who suffer from a cracked tooth or maybe stubborn stains that you’re too fed up to whiten now and then, veneers are a great choice for you. Before they’re applied to the front surface of your tooth, the dentist would first remove a thin layer of enamel from the front surface where they will attach the veneer later on. Your dentist would fashion a custom-made covering for each tooth, which may take a while. Just a heads-up though: veneers are pretty pricey, especially the porcelain ones. However, they’re a great investment since they look almost the same as your natural tooth and are pretty durable, lasting for 15-20 years with proper care and maintenance. If you still want to get veneers but are working on a tighter budget, then you may want to consider getting a composite veneer. It practically has the same functions as the porcelain ones, but on a smaller scale. Still, composite veneers are reparable and can last you a good 7-10 years if you care for them properly!

Crowns. 

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth or two that needs a little help with the appearance department, you can try availing dental crowns. As the name suggests, crowns are like a cap that is used to cover the surface of your damaged tooth. This type of dental procedure is also considered a restoration, since it protects the existing tooth and provides it with a new cover to retain its appearance and function. Dental crowns are typically used when one’s cavity is starting to grow considerably, so it’s both restorative and cosmetic. They can be made out of a variety of materials, but the popular choices are ceramic, porcelain, and metal. As long as you exercise proper oral hygiene practices and maintenance, your dental crown can last a good many years.

Dental implant. 

For individuals who have lost a tooth, getting dental implants is a great solution. It’s a type of dental prosthesis wherein your dentist would skillfully place a titanium implant on your jaw. Compared to the other dental cosmetic treatments in the list, getting dental implants may require you to make a few visits to the dentist because of its process. To explain briefly, the dentist would numb the area and make an incision in your gums to expose your jawbone. From there, they will drill a space where they can create a space for the “tooth rot,” which will then be inserted with an implant. The implant is usually a metal screw or post, and once it’s secured, your gums will be sutured to close and left to heal so the implant can merge with your jawbone. The recovery period may take a few months, but once it’s healed, you’ll have to return to the dentist to get a connector, commonly called an abutment, attached to the implant where a crown will be screwed into it. Dental implants are one of the best long-term investments when it comes to dental cosmetics, since they last for around 20 years and even more.

Gun contouring.

While others suffer from dental problems, some feel insecure smiling, afraid to show their “gummy smiles.” This gummy smile is caused by extensive gum tissue around the teeth, which makes one look as if their teeth are misaligned. Others have the misfortune of having an uneven gum line, hence the need to get gum contouring to improve the appearance of their smile. Gum contouring is done by reshaping your gumline and cutting away the excess tissue to show off more of your teeth. Don’t worry, this procedure is generally painless since local anesthesia will be administered before starting the operation, so your dentist can freely sculpt your gumline using a scalpel or laser. Most, if not all, clinics nowadays opt for using lasers since they’re less invasive and have a faster recovery time. 

Invisalign. 

Lastly, for individuals who do not want to get traditional braces, Invisalign is a great way to correct their misaligned teeth. This orthodontic method uses custom-made clear aligners to set your teeth straight. Unlike metal braces, this uses gentle pressure, causing your teeth to shift ever so subtly until they’re aligned over time.

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