You’ve probably read a few things on my website about cosmetic dentistry, or maybe you know someone who has had cosmetic treatments. My office provides a multitude of dental procedures, including cosmetic dentistry solutions like teeth-whitening or porcelain veneers. I’ve found that while cosmetic dentistry can improve patient’s smile, they often worry that the procedure is vain or indulgent.
Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to get that beautiful smile that you have always deserved. Studies show that cosmetic dentistry can improve your professional life and your social life. I assure you that there is nothing vain about wanting to thrive in your professional life or your personal life.
If you have doubts that cosmetic dentistry is indulgent, here’s a patient story to consider. A young woman came to my office a few years ago with worn enamel on her front teeth. She had had brace when she was younger, and the brackets actually damaged her enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, and it protects the inner layers of the teeth. When the enamel erodes, the best way to repair the tooth is with a restoration.
When this patient came to my office, she had an old set of veneers that did not match. The veneers had worn down with a little age, and now she had several different shades of teeth. She also had smoked for years, a habit that contributed the discoloration of her teeth. Having had veneers placed before, this patients was not exactly convinced that another round of veneers would fix her smile. I assured her that veneers were the best way to fix her smile and strengthen her front teeth. After we finished the treatment, she was shocked by the transformation. We were able to give her a great set of veneers that gave her a beautiful and natural-looking smile.
How Veneers Can Improve Your Smile
The great thing about the story of my young patient is that the veneers were able to give her a beautiful smile and to strengthen her teeth. Teeth that have damaged or worn enamel or front teeth that have had root canals are at a higher risk of fracturing or breaking. In many cases, a fracture cannot be fixed with anything but a dental implant or bridge.
I can place a porcelain veneer over one to two visits. We use the first visit to repair the tooth and the second visit to place the permanent restoration. We have a special program called the Smile Creation, which allows us to plan out patient treatments and give them an idea about what the final restoration will look like. We create a physical model of the veneers and then place them on the patient’s teeth to allow them to see the end result. We can then adjust the final restorations with input from the patient.
There’s nothing like porcelain in dentistry. It closely mimics enamel and has the ability to cover chips, cracks or heavy stains. Our porcelain veneers are long-lasting and durable, so you don’t have to worry about eating your favorite foods after your veneers are placed. The veneers also are stain resistant!
One of the things that sets our office apart from other offices that offer cosmetic dentistry is that we have taken hundreds of hours in continuing education to offer cosmetic dentistry. I fell in love with dentistry because it was a way for me to work with my hands and use my artistic ability to improve a patient’s smile.
I have been in dentistry for more than 30 years, and I am the 61st Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which is one of the biggest groups of dentists in the world. The academy is dedicated to studying cosmetic dentistry and educating dentists about ethical cosmetic dentistry. There a lot of dentists who offer cosmetic services, but my patients understand that I have dedicated my career to the artistry of dentistry, and they feel comfortable in our care.
I’ve been lucky enough to help countless patients overcome their dental problems through cosmetic dentistry. Patients have found themselves more social or in better paying jobs after having their teeth fixed. If you have outstanding dental issues or have noticed that your teeth had faded with age, call our office today or schedule an appointment using our online form.