If you have issues that keep you from loving your smile, there’s a good chance that cosmetic dentistry can help. Whether it’s chips, stains, gaps, or uneven teeth, these treatments can tackle all kinds of issues and give you the confidence to show off your smile. So, in this article, we’ll cover the most common dental problems cosmetic dentistry can fix and how it can make a big difference for you. Keep reading!
Dental issues cosmetic dentistry can fix
Some of the common dental issues that can be fixed by cosmetic dentistry include:
Discolored or stained teeth
One of the most common dental issues that cosmetic dentistry can fix is discolored or stained teeth. Teeth can become discolored due to a variety of factors including aging, genetics, certain medications, and lifestyle habits like smoking or consuming staining foods and beverages.
Cosmetic dentistry offers several solutions for discolored teeth, such as professional teeth whitening treatments. These treatments use peroxide-based bleaching agents to remove stains and brighten the teeth by several shades.
Cosmetic dentists may also recommend dental veneers. These thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are fit to the front surfaces of your teeth to improve their appearance, including their color.
Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
Another common dental issue that cosmetic dentistry can address is chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. These types of dental injuries can occur due to various reasons including biting on hard objects, sports-related trauma, accidents, teeth grinding, decay, and other reasons.
The methods cosmetic dentists may take to repair the damage are polishing, bonding, veneers, crowns, fillings, or even a root canal.
Misaligned teeth
Cosmetic dentistry can also help correct misaligned teeth, which can affect a person’s smile and self-confidence. These dental issues can be caused by genetics, developmental abnormalities, or habits like thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting. A study in the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) found that malocclusion (misaligned teeth) severe enough to require care affects 50% of the population.
While a dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign (clear, removable aligners that you wear to straighten your teeth) to help correct misaligned teeth, there are other treatments they may recommend as well, including dental veneers, bonding, or crowns.
Gaps in your teeth
Cosmetic dentistry can also help close gaps between teeth which can occur due to missing teeth, having extra teeth, having small teeth, having a large jaw, or the natural development of one’s teeth. Gapped teeth can affect a person’s smile, self-confidence, and even their bite.
Dentists may recommend veneers, crowns, bridges, implants, orthodontic treatment, or even surgery to correct the issue.
A gummy smile, where the gums appear excessively when you talk or smile, might make a person self-conscious about showing their smile. This condition can be caused by factors like an overactive upper lip, genetics, excess gum tissue, or smaller-than-average teeth, medications, and other reasons.
Gummy smiles
There are a variety of treatments a dentist may recommend to correct this issue, including crown lengthening, orthodontic treatment, veneers, gum contouring, or even botox.
Small adult teeth
Another cosmetic dental issue people may face is having small adult teeth. This can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. There are some genetic syndromes that can cause it, including pituitary dwarfism, chemotherapy/radiation, a cleft lip, and Turner syndrome. Cosmetic dentistry offers several solutions for people that want to address this issue if the concern is aesthetic, including dental bonding, veneers, crowns, and gum reshaping.
When should you address cosmetic dental issues?
If your teeth make you feel self-conscious, it might be time to consider cosmetic dental treatments. And this is not uncommon, in fact, one study found that more than a quarter of people avoid smiling because they’re unhappy with their teeth. This can impact your confidence, how you engage socially, and even your professional interactions. Addressing cosmetic dental issues—like small teeth, chips, gaps, or discoloration—can help restore your comfort and willingness to smile.
It’s also important to tackle these concerns early if they’re affecting your oral health or you have pain. By consulting with a cosmetic dentist, you can determine the best time and approach to achieve a smile you feel good about sharing.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a cosmetic dentist in Burbank
Do you have cosmetic issues with your teeth that you’d like to address? Come visit our dentist office in Burbank, Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc! Dr. Ruiz is a respected dentist, educator, and researcher who has even developed a smile design technique that dentists all around the world use. Check out our smile gallery!
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