Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right For You?
When you imagine visiting the dentist, you’re probably thinking about a cleaning, exam and x-rays, or to fix a problem like a painful toothache or broken tooth. All of those are great reasons to see the dentist. But have you thought about cosmetic dentistry?
In today’s post, we’ll talk more about the surprising benefits of cosmetic dentistry, the cosmetic services we offer, and much more.
Benefits of cosmetic dentistry
DID YOU KNOW: Over 50% of people say they’re not happy with their smiles.
Don’t be fooled by the name. Cosmetic dentistry has benefits that extend far beyond just how your teeth look.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is that when you have a smile you love, you’ll smile more and feel better about yourself. You’ll feel more confident and more outgoing. Your quality of life will noticeably increase. Conversely when you hide your smile because you’re not happy with how your teeth look, you’ll feel worse and less happy. With all the great cosmetic dentistry options available today, there’s simply no reason to settle for a smile that’s you’re not proud of.
Today’s high-tech cosmetic dentistry treatments do more than simply improve the appearance of your teeth. They’re designed to provide lasting results and in many cases actually improve the strength and health of your teeth and gums.
Teeth whitening
At Batchelor Dentistry, teeth whitening is by far our most popular and most requested cosmetic treatment. Stained and discolored teeth are very common. No matter how well you brush your teeth, stains are still possible and can be caused by:
Genetics
Aging
Tobacco use
Medication
There are a few options for whitening your teeth. Many people start out by buying a DIY teeth whitening kit at the drugstore. These kits use adhesive strips or trays that you wear for a few minutes a day at home. Unfortunately, the results often don’t live up to the promises these products advertise. My patients often tell me their teeth are very sensitive during and after using these products, and the whitening they achieve is less than what they were hoping for.
Our in-office professional teeth whitening treatments are different. The results are more impressive and last longer. Plus you’ll see an improvement in a fraction of the time of DIY tooth whitening treatments.
But perhaps the best part of getting your teeth whitened by a dentist is that we can use the opportunity to check for other dental health problems like cavities or gum disease. Ask us about adding teeth whitening to your next exam and checkup!
Porcelain veneers
If your teeth are severely stained or have other cosmetic issues like chips and cracks, teeth whitening alone won’t do the trick. Instead, custom-made porcelain veneers might be the best choice for you.
Think of veneers like a “cover” for the front of your tooth. By removing a small amount of your tooth enamel, a veneer fits seamlessly on your tooth without looking bulky or unnatural. Your veneers are made just for you and will match the size and color of natural healthy teeth. Nobody will know you’re wearing them!
Tooth-colored fillings
When it comes to filling cavities, silver mercury amalgam metal fillings were the only option for decades. But recent advancements in composite resins have made natural tooth-colored fillings an amazing option.
Not only do composite fillings look more natural than silver-colored fillings, they have other advantages, too! Compared to metal fillings your composite fillings will:
Require the removal of less healthy tooth structure
Provide a strong, micromechanical bond to the tooth
Use completely non-toxic and biocompatible materials
Mercury-free and metal-free fillings are a treatment option that offers more than just cosmetic benefits. They actually improve the function and long-term health of your teeth, too. You can’t lose.
Implant-supported crowns and dentures
Missing teeth are more common than you might think. As we age our teeth are more susceptible to decay, gum disease, chips, cracks, and fractures. Even something as innocuous as biting a hard piece of food can cause serious damage to a tooth.
In the past, if a single tooth was lost, the only options were to create a “bridge” from adjacent teeth to replace the missing tooth, or create a removable partial denture that you take out of your mouth at night. And when many or all the teeth were lost completely, the standard treatment was a set of dentures that used sticky adhesive to adhere to the gums.
Traditional dentures and bridges have significant functional and cosmetic drawbacks:
Cosmetically, dentures can be noticeable and can make you feel self-conscious of your smile
Dentures often affected speech and your ability to chew
Bridges, though a great option, can be compromised or may need to be replaced if an anchor tooth develops a problem
With no tooth in place, the underlying jaw bone would slowly disintegrate leading to a “sunken” look in the face through a process called resorption
Today there’s a much better option: titanium dental implants. Implants are a truly permanent way to replace missing or damaged teeth. By installing a titanium implant directly into your jaw we’re able to not only prevent bone loss but actually promote the growth of healthy bone.
Advantages of dental implants
With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
Implants provide a rock solid foundation for dentures allowing you to eat the foods you love and speak normally.
Crowns and dentures can be custom made to exactly match the shape, color, and appearance of your natural teeth. They’re truly an invisible and seamless restoration!
Do you love your smile?
If you’re like most people, then there’s probably something you’d like to change about your smile. Schedule an appointment at our Harrisonburg dental office today for a consultation and to learn more about our cosmetic treatment options.
Dr. Caitlin Batchelor
Dr. Caitlin Batchelor earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia. She later completed a 2-year postgraduate General Practice Residency at Wake Forest University Medical Center. Since joining this practice in 2013, Dr. Batchelor has been committed to providing individualized dental care to the specific needs and desires of her patients, taking the whole person and their unique qualities into consideration.