How Can I Improve my Smile?

Everyone wants to have a great smile. With the benefits of modern dentistry everyone can have it. Depending on what you don’t like about your smile and how you want your smile to look will determine the best treatment options for you. Here are some of the options to have a great smile.

Composite veneers, sometimes called “bonding”, is a technique where tooth colored filling material is layered onto your teeth. It is used to fill in gaps, smooth edges, change the color, etc. Your teeth do not have to be shaved back at all unless a tooth is very far out of alignment. Because your teeth do not have to be shaved back this technique can often be done without anesthesia. It is finished in one appointment and looks great. Composite veneers are usually less expensive than porcelain veneers but they do have a downside. Composite will soak up stains over time. If you smoke, drink coffee, tea, soda, etc., the composite will stain. Expect them to look great for 5-10 years depending on your diet. But remember that your original teeth are still there so it is very easy to shave it off and start over. Composite is also softer than your natural teeth. This means that composite veneers can chip and break. But they are easily repaired and polished. I recommend composite veneers when my patients have tight budgets or they need a new smile right away for a wedding, party, etc.

Porcelain veneers are the ultimate in making your smile perfect. I have ten on my upper teeth. Porcelain does not soak up stain at all and is as strong as your natural teeth so it rarely chips. You can expect the porcelain veneers to last 10- 20 years depending on your bite. The first step is to design your smile with your dentist. He may use photos of his work or an image editing program on his computer to enhance digital photos of your own smile. This is like shopping in a catalog where you get to look at different smiles and see a computer simulation of what it will look like when you are finished. The porcelain veneers can be very thin but a small amount of your teeth do need to be shaved back. Because we shave back such a small amount our patients have little to no sensitivity the night after the procedure. While your veneers are being made you will have temporary veneers on your teeth. These allow you to “try on” different colors and shapes until we find you the exact smile you are looking for. Have you ever found an outfit at the mall thinking it would look perfect on you? But then you tried it on and realized it was just not right. Your dentist will want you to love your new smile, so the temporaries will give you a chance to try out different levels of whiteness and shapes until you love them. Your porcelain veneers will then be made to match your desired smile.

Bleaching or Whitening is another great way to improve your smile. While it does not have the advantage of changing the shape and position of your teeth along with improving the color as veneers can, it is a simple and inexpensive way to improve the color of your teeth. Any stain you have difficulty removing from a  white shirt can stain your teeth, this includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine (mild), and smoking. These stains are on the outside of your teeth. Some people also have staining from antibiotics and fluoride that are inside the teeth. There are several different bleaching packages to choose from depending on the type of stains and how white you want your teeth to be. Ask your dentist which type of bleaching will be best for you.

Braces can also be a great way to improve your smile. Braces have the advantage of aligning your teeth without covering them. This is your best option if your teeth are already the perfect color for you. Your teeth can also be bleached to the perfect color. You can bleach your teeth before and/or after braces. Sometimes a combination of braces and veneers or bonding is the best way to achieve your perfect smile, especially if the edges of your teeth are worn down or chipped.

Retainers are a good option if your teeth are only slightly crowded or have small spaces between them. The retainer is crystal clear and can give you a great smile in a few months.

Contact our office today to determine what is best for improving your smile.