If you are seeking ways to improve your smile, cosmetic dentistry could be the service for you. A beautiful smile can enhance your confidence and change your daily life for the better. You can speak to your dentist about which dental services fit your aesthetic goals. Your plan will be customized, but there are standard treatments known to help appearance-based dental problems. Dr. Drew Shulman, a dentist in Philadelphia, outlines several common concerns from cosmetic dentistry patients.
Straighten teeth
If you have crooked teeth, cosmetic dentistry could be the best route for you. When teeth are misaligned, it can be difficult to properly clean your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. Metal braces help patients straighten their teeth, but recent advancements make cosmetic improvements to your teeth possible in a more discreet way.
Invisalign is a clear aligner system created from 3D-imagery of your unique smile. Over the course of several months, you will wear Invisalign every day, and your teeth will move into a straighter position. With Invisalign, you can remove the aligners to eat and brush your teeth so that you can maintain good oral hygiene during your treatment.
Whiten teeth
Tooth discoloration is a common reason that patients seek cosmetic dentistry. Over time, teeth are subject to yellowing and staining, which can diminish the brightness of your smile. This can be caused by smoking, medications, staining foods and drinks, or age. Many dentists offer specific whitening processes, including Zoom! With in-office application, your dentist will apply a whitening gel to your teeth and then activate the treatment with a curing light.
Zoom! can be applied from your own home as well. Your dentist can make customized molds shaped to your teeth, which will be used to create trays. You can then fill the trays with bleaching gel to whiten your teeth from home. Flossing daily and brushing your teeth twice a day are important to maintaining healthy teeth and your ideal tooth color.
Repair broken teeth
Damage to your teeth can be repaired through cosmetic dentistry. Chips or cracks in your teeth may seem minor, but they could lead to secondary dental issues that would require costly dental work if left untreated. Small amounts of damage to your teeth can be fixed with tooth bonding. This process involves a bio-composite resin that is shaped to fit your teeth and sculpted into place. This treatment can also fill cavities, fill gaps in teeth, and elongate short teeth.
Porcelain veneers are one method of cosmetic dentistry that can amend several aesthetic dental issues. Veneers are shell-like caps made of ceramic that are bonded to a tooth. This treatment is more expensive than tooth bonding but has many benefits. Like bonding, veneers can cover broken teeth and fill in gaps between teeth. Veneers also can cover discolored or crooked teeth, providing an inclusive aesthetic solution.
Cosmetic dentistry services in Philadelphia
Dr. Shulman offers various cosmetic dentistry services to the Philadelphia area, including Invisalign, porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, and tooth whitening. Dr. Shulman also specializes in general, restorative, and implant dentistry. To schedule an appointment, contact our office online or by phone at 215.372.1142.