Smiling makes more than 50 percent of all Americans feel insecure. In other words, if you’re not happy with the way your teeth look, you aren’t alone. One surefire way to improve your pearly whites is with the help of cosmetic dentistry. You’ve probably heard about this method of dental care, but you want to know exactly how it can make you smile with confidence.

Your smile has an impact on your life that you may not be aware of. According to studies, smiling improves your mood and well-being and produces more pleasure in the brain than chocolate. A smile can make you appear thinner, younger, and, of course, more friendly. So, avoiding smiling because you’re self-conscious about your teeth is a waste of time. Our cosmetic dentist Farmington Hills can address how to improve your smile.

Ways to Improve Your Smile:

1. Whitening

Fourteen percent of the U.S. population has had teeth whitening. And, while you may have tried doing the same thing yourself with an at-home kit, your dentist can give you an even more effective treatment. That’s because cosmetic dentists have access to stronger bleach, and they have equipment that can make the bleach even more effective. Their in-office lasers and activating lights amplify the effects of your whitening treatment. And you’ll get results in a single session, as opposed to wearing at-home whitening strips or gel for days on end. So, that’s one way that a cosmetic dental service can improve your smile.

2. Straightening

Next, your best smile makeover dentist near me can help straighten your teeth, too. This doesn’t require them to use brackets, wires, and braces. Instead, they can help you improve your smile with Invisalign. These clear plastic aligners are invisible to the eye, but they work to slowly move your teeth into their straight, perfect position. Check to see if they’re on your dentist’s list of services, then sign up for a consultation. From there, you’ll see if you’re a candidate for this cosmetic treatment that seamlessly straightens your teeth. 

3. Fixing the Gaps

Perhaps you’re self-conscious of your smile because it has gaps. A dental implant can help with that. Putting a dental implant in place takes several steps. First, your dentist will have to put a titanium post in place. This little implement will provide a sturdy base for the faux tooth that will be put in place next. 

That faux tooth is called a crown. You will be able to choose from different materials for your dental crown. But rest assured that many of them will come in natural colors, meaning the crown will blend right in with the rest of your teeth. With an implant and crown in place, you will have a full smile once again. And you can use your crown just as you would a normal tooth — so, it looks great and is functional, too. 

4. Gum Treatments for Gummy Smile or Gum Disease

Gum treatments can be used for medical or cosmetic reasons. Some men and women have gummy smiles, in which their gums protrude excessively when they speak and smile. Gum recontouring can help to level out the gums. Alternatively, gum disease has a significant impact on your oral health and causes gum recession, which results in an unsightly smile. If left untreated, gum disease causes your gums to inflame, bleed, and pull away from your teeth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria to enter your bloodstream and eventually lead to tooth loss. Periodontal treatments can frequently reverse the early stages of gum disease.

5. Replace Unsightly Metal Fillings

Metal fillings, also known as amalgam fillings or silver fillings, were once widely used to treat tooth decay but are no longer widely used in dentistry. In fact, many adults who had several silver fillings when they were younger come in to replace their metal fillings with tooth-colored composite resin fillings. This simple switch will completely transform your smile. While the majority of people who have amalgam fillings have them on teeth that are not visible when you smile, these unsightly fillings are visible when you speak and eat. Composite resin, which is used for white fillings, is also used for cosmetic bonding to correct misshapen teeth, gaps, and chips.

6. Whiten Tooth Discoloration

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. Tooth discoloration can develop as a result of lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking red wine or darkly colored drinks, but it can also be caused by medications and be determined by your genetics. Whitening treatments for teeth can effectively whiten your teeth and give you a brighter smile.

You may be tempted to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) whitening strips, trays, and toothpaste, but these options have several drawbacks. Toothpaste does not stay in contact with your teeth long enough to make a noticeable difference, and it frequently contains weaker whitening agents. If the whitening agents used in OTC strips and trays are too strong, they can cause gum tissue irritation and tooth sensitivity.

7. Replace Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth is important for your oral health and also improves your overall well-being. Because of the lack of pressure and structure from the tooth, missing teeth cause bone recession over time. Your teeth will begin to migrate quickly, and you could lose up to 25% of your jaw bone in the first year alone. This changes the shape of your face and puts you at risk of losing more teeth. As a result, there are both health and cosmetic advantages to replacing a missing tooth or teeth.

Dental implants are generally regarded as the best option because the titanium post replaces your missing tooth root and the dental crown attached to it looks, acts, and feels like your natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures or “All-on-Four Dental Implants” can restore your oral health and smile if you are missing several teeth.

Ready to improve your smile with a Dentist in Farmington Hills, MI

Cosmetic dentistry can accomplish wonderful things for your smile and mitigate many common problems discussed above. To determine which cosmetic option is correct for you, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Farmington Hills, MI, or call today at (248) 476-4416. Pearl Dental your smile dentistry provides general and cosmetic dentistry to patients in surrounding areas of Farmington Hills.