Do you have a tendency to hide your teeth when you smile? If you have cosmetic dental imperfections, you’re likely to do so.

Flaws like a small chip on a tooth and the more obvious stained, discolored, crooked, or missing teeth can make you feel less confident about your smile. In most cases, these can make you develop a habit that may affect your way of life.

Luckily, dentistry has advanced so much in the previous years that people already have multiple options for different cosmetic dental issues that need to be corrected. There’s a solution for every dental imperfection, some of which are listed below:

Dental Implants

Dental implants in Fort Lauderdale may not be considered a purely cosmetic solution, but they do help improve your smile, especially if you’ve lost some of your teeth.

A dental implant procedure entails replacing teeth roots with screw-like posts made from sturdy metal. It will then bear an artificial tooth, which is put in place of damaged or lost teeth. The goal is to establish a look and function similar to the original.

In general, dentists recommend this solution for people with one or two missing teeth. The metal “roots” are usually made with titanium and are fused into the jawbone, so the implants won’t make noises, slip, or cause bone damage. This makes them excellent alternatives to ill-fitting dentures.

Since implants are made from materials that won’t rot, you’ll also be safe from decay, unlike natural teeth used to serve as posts for a dental bridge. Aside from that, this procedure is also a viable solution for cases where there is a lack of natural teeth roots.

The specific method used for this surgery depends on the implant to be used and the condition of the patient’s jawbone. In some cases, it may entail several procedures.

And since it requires the bone where it is attached to fuse tightly around the implant before it can offer sturdy support for the replacement teeth, the entire process may take months to complete.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Brushing regularly and properly goes a long way in maintaining the quality of your smile. However, having good oral hygiene habits doesn’t guarantee that you won’t experience teeth staining and discoloration.

In fact, even as you practice dentist-recommended hygiene habits, your teeth may still become discolored or dull. This usually happens when you smoke or drink dark, pigmented beverages often like coffee or red wine. Teeth discoloration is also a natural consequence of aging.

While the changes in teeth color don’t necessarily indicate oral health problems, people still opt to have it corrected using products that promise to whiten teeth enamel. Some of these may be effective in scraping off surface stains, but they may also come with adverse effects like uneven bleaching, enamel damage, gum and teeth sensitivity, and even darker teeth (yes, it happens).

If you truly want a brighter smile, consider opting for professional teeth whitening instead. One thing you get from this procedure that no amount of teeth whitening product can provide is individualized dental care.

Aside from being a reliable solution, teeth whitening by a licensed professional usually entails the use of whitening agents with a higher concentration for more long-lasting and noticeable results.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding – or simply “bonding” – is a dental solution that deals with damaged, discolored or decayed teeth.

To perform this, dentists will drill out the decayed parts of the affected tooth.

Then, they apply a composite material with a similar hue as the tooth enamel and sculpt it into shape. This material is usually the same as those used in dental fillings, since it is easy to mold. Once dentists get the desired contour, the composite material is cured with high-intensity light.

Composite bonding effectively deals with any damage to the tooth and gives it a healthy appearance. But this procedure has more than cosmetic benefits – it also helps return a tooth’s original functionality.

As one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures, composite bonding is often the go-to solution for worn-down, cracked, chipped, and decaying teeth.

Dental Veneers

Often manufactured using medical-grade ceramic or porcelain, veneers are custom made for each patient. The goal is to mimic the patient’s natural teeth, which is why it requires at least two visits.

Dental veneers look exceptionally realistic and offer instant beautiful smiles. This cosmetic dentistry solution helps solve issues like cracked enamel, crooked teeth, and even minor gaps.

Initially, the dentist will take a digital impression of your teeth to ensure that the veneers match them.

You will then return for a follow-up visit. At this point, the dentist would bond each veneer in place using a specially formulated dental cement. He will also shape each shell to achieve a natural-looking appearance.

Because of their ability to correct chipped, misshapen, or discolored teeth efficiently, veneers are considered one of cosmetic dentistry’s most versatile solutions. It is also a highly sought-after treatment because of the instant results it offers.

However, veneers may not be the best choice for major teeth gaps or crookedness issues.

Braces and Invisalign

Dental braces are used to correct crooked and misaligned teeth. Traditionally, these are made with metal brackets attached to the teeth and connected by wires and small rubber bands, more commonly called “elastics.”

However, modern braces can already be manufactured using different materials that closely resemble tooth enamel color, making the braces look more discreet. They also come in more colors, allowing wearers to use them as a fashion accessory.

On the other hand, people who don’t want major changes in their looks have another option: clear aligners. Orthodontic devices like Invisalign help people improve the alignment of their teeth while staying “invisible” to onlookers.

Treatment with Invisalign in Fort Lauderdale entails using several sets of aligner trays made out of smooth, BPA-free transparent plastic. These are placed over the teeth to gently and subtly adjust tooth alignment.

To get the ideal fit of these orthodontic devices, a dental specialist will take an impression of your teeth. They may also use pictures and dental X-rays to create a precise three-dimensional image of your choppers and configure the aligner trays.

Both braces and clear aligners have their pros and cons, and one may work better than the other in certain situations. To make sure you don’t regret your decision, you’ll have to consider your lifestyle, budget, and preferred treatment speed. It wouldn’t hurt to listen to recommendations from your dentist, too.

Get a Flawless Smile

For many people, a flawless smile is not a want – it can also be a need. These cosmetic dental solutions help boost your self-esteem and make sure you have no reason to hide your teeth when you smile.