The demand for cosmetic dentistry has seen a steady increase in recent years, and for good reason. Cosmetic dentistry provides a slew of benefits, both socially and for your overall health. In particular, cosmetic dentistry patients can experience a happier and healthier smile, a more youthful appearance, reduced tooth pain, and more. If you’re interested in reducing your tooth pain, addressing a broken tooth, or just want to improve your smile, check out our list of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures.

4 Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures for a Brighter and Healthier Smile

1. Dental crowns strengthen your teeth.

One of the most common types of cosmetic and restorative dentistry is the dental crown. When your tooth weakens due to tooth decay, it becomes at risk for a crack or break. In extreme cases, you can experience tooth loss. To protect your tooth, your dentist will often choose to place a crown on your tooth to help straighten it and help prolong its life. Though many patients try home remedies for tooth pain, your Greensville, SC, dentist can address your dental pain and help save your tooth with a dental crown.

Dental crowns are highly versatile and intended to restore the shape, function, and strength of missing teeth or those that have been damaged or weakened. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cover” that securely attaches to your weakened tooth, thus restoring your smile’s appearance, function, and health. When properly cared for, dental crowns last a long time and are aesthetically pleasing, making for a better and brighter smile.

2. Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option.

If you have a smile that is less than what it should be, dental veneers might help. As with dental crowns, porcelain veneers are a highly versatile dental treatment. Veneers are durable, wafer-thin shells made of translucent porcelain. They cover your teeth’s surface, thus transforming your smile both in the alignment of your teeth and the overall appearance. Porcelain dental veneers are an excellent choice for those wishing to correct chips, stains, gaps, discoloration, tooth misalignments, or overcrowding. Veneers can also help fix a smile that feels too gummy.

3. Professional tooth whitening makes for a brighter and whiter smile.

Over the years, our teeth can lose their white and bright appearance. Various beverages (such as coffee, tea, and colored soda), tobacco use, medications (such as tetracycline and doxycycline), age, genetics, and the environment can all lead to teeth yellowing. And though there are several ways to attempt to whiten your teeth at home, professional teeth whitening will leave you with a whiter smile that will last longer using a professionally created, take-home tooth whitening system.

Professional teeth whitening is possibly the simplest and most affordable way to improve your smile’s appearance. Dr. Monroe will assess your smile and whitening goals and create a customized, at-home whitening kit that will help you get the smile you want in less than two weeks.

4. Tooth-colored fillings match your natural teeth.

The bacteria in your mouth feed on tiny particles of starch and sugar that sit on your teeth after you have finished eating. These particles produce an acidic byproduct that can eat away at the tooth enamel when not brushed away after eating or through a twice-a-day brushing. Dental cavities form in the tooth enamel and can cause severe harm to the tooth’s most sensitive and innermost layers, the dentin and pulp.

Not only do these particles cause significant discomfort and tooth pain if left untreated, but cavities also lead to the need for more extensive dental work, higher costs, and tooth loss. When you come in for your twice-a-year dental visit, Dr. Monroe can detect any cavities early on, and remedy any problems with composite resin, tooth-colored fillings to create a natural-looking treatment.

You’ve probably seen people with silver fillings or with teeth reminiscent of Richard Kiel, the famous Bond villain, Jaws, but today’s fillings are more natural-looking, and when done right, will blend in perfectly with the rest of your natural teeth.

Let Dr. Monroe and the Monroe Family Dentistry team help with your cosmetic dentistry procedure.

If you’ve been putting off going to the dentist because you’ve been busy with work or you are ashamed of your dental health, you should know that a visit to the dentist is easier and more comfortable than ever. With convenient office hours and the ease of requesting an appointment online, we can get you in and out and on your way to a happier and healthier smile. Don’t hesitate to reach out and make your appointment. You’ll be glad you did.