79ab4937f43095b04af0a75f976a5313Having a perfect smile is something a lot of people wish for but find hard to achieve. It is beautiful and inviting which is why actors and models put tremendous effort into maintaining it as part of their look. A major plus of having a nice, clean smile is self-confidence.

A nice smile begins with proper dental hygiene. Even though we brush our teeth regularly, it may not be enough to keep them looking perfect. One of the most common cosmetic dental services is teeth whitening. While teeth whitening toothpaste is available in drugstores, it doesn’t work as well as a whitening procedure and, in fact, may not work at all. Teeth become stained from everyday things like food, drink, smoking, and poor dental hygiene. A dentist will recommend teeth whitening to improve your smile: in the office or a take-home kit.

There are additional cosmetic dental services such as porcelain crowns and veneers. The porcelain is bonded to the surface of the tooth to repair chips and cracks as well as filling in gaps in between teeth. Even tooth decay or other structural damage can be filled with porcelain. Composite materials can also be used in the same way as porcelain. In the past gold, amalgam, and other metals have been used for repair and restoration, but with new materials available, cosmetic work can be done to more closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Even older tooth fillings can be re-filled with one of these new materials to give them a more natural look and feel.

Other common dental work is implant restoration which is an artificial tooth root replacement to compensate for tooth loss as well as retaining facial structure. Dentures and bridges are also common. A bridge is similar to dentures, but is used when one or more teeth are missing. Dentures are used to replace missing teeth for many reasons such as periodontal disease or a severe injury that resulted in missing teeth. Whether whole or partial, dentures are made to be comfortable and functional while improving your smile.

When considering the benefits of cosmetic dental work, it is important to discuss these options with your dentist. There are many cosmetic options available but the condition of your teeth and oral health may affect what you can have done. Talk things over with you dentist and decide together what will work best for your mouth so you can be on your way to an improved smile and self-confidence.