The holidays are right around the corner, which means more food than you can eat, presents, and, of course, pictures. For some, the more pictures for social media the better, but for others, a camera can trigger anxiety. If your immediate reaction when someone pulls out a camera is to cover your teeth or look away, you’re not alone.
According to a survey conducted in the in the UK, one in four of those interviewed reported that feeling embarrassed by their teeth kept them from smiling. If you fall into this category, then cosmetic dentistry can help. Whether you’re embarrassed by stained, chipped, or crooked teeth, with the right procedure you could be rocking your best smile yet, just in time for the holidays.
Teeth Whitening
Whitening is probably the most in-demand cosmetic dentistry procedure. In most cases, teeth discoloration occurs when our enamel is exposed to staining molecules found in sources like coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, and tobacco. Through enough exposure, or when our enamel has already been worn by acidic food, these molecules become lodged in our enamel and cannot be worn away by simple brushing.
Professional teeth whitening uses a concentrated chemical solution, usually in the form of peroxide, which breaks down staining molecules trapped in your teeth. While over-the-counter whitening kits work, professional whitening will achieve more dramatic results faster. We are also better equipped to assess your stains so you get maximum effectiveness. And we have strategies to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth related to whitening.
Dental Bonding
Bonding is a popular approach to reshape teeth, close gaps, and repair minor chipping at a reasonable cost. After an initial appointment and assessment, tooth-colored resin is applied to the mouth and then cured with light. The entire procedure is quick, and can be completed within a day. The downside is that bonding has its limits, and cannot be used to repair badly damaged teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Although porcelain veneers can be considered by some to be expensive, they are by far the most dramatic and long-lasting cosmetic dental procedure you can get. If you’ve ever watched an interview with your favorite movie star, and were blown away by the shape and shade of their teeth, chances are they had veneers.
Porcelain veneers are a thin shell of advanced ceramic bonded to your natural teeth, and are so thin they won’t add any unnatural bulk. They can correct stained teeth, chips, or gaps with long-lasting results, generally more than 10 years and even up to 20 years in some cases. Veneers allow patients to essentially swap out their smile for a perfect, natural looking one.
If you’ve been living with the embarrassment of stained or chipped teeth, it’s time to schedule an appointment. Please call today for an appointment with Dr. Ramin Goshtasbi at Oasis Dental Arts in Scripps Ranch.