Whether you need a simple whitening or a whole mouth overhaul, your dentist can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, or just plain missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth, and alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring.
Improvements like this are not always 100% cosmetic. Many of them can be used to treat conditions such as a misaligned bite, halitosis, jaw pain, and more.
Whitening
Whitening is a common and increasingly popular process to give you a brighter smile. There are a variety of reasons to get your teeth whitened – anything from removing stains to simply wanting a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be hereditary or due simply to getting older.
Bonding
If you have gaps in your teeth or multi-colored teeth, bonding can be used to bring it all together. Bonding lasts for years and usually only requires a single dental visit. It can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape so it blends with the surrounding teeth.
Crowns
Crowns are used only when necessary because of their cost. They are used to cover a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and appearance. Crowns are the longest lasting of all cosmetic restorations, but are the most time-consuming. They require at least two office visits. The first will be a mold or fitting and a temporary crown will be used until the permanent one is ready.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is adhered to the front of a tooth to change its color and/or shape. These are generally used to cover discoloration and uneven tooth surfaces. They are also used for chipped and oddly shaped teeth that are close to the front of your mouth. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems as bonding.