Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. When your smile doesn’t look the way you want it to, it can be frustrating. Luckily, if you weren’t born with the smile of your dreams, cosmetic dentistry is full of options to give you a smile that will have you grinning ear to ear.

Veneers

If you want to permanently straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time, veneers might be the perfect option for you. Veneers were originally invented as a quick fix for Hollywood stars’ teeth, but today anyone can get them.

The process involves your dentist fitting thin porcelain sleeves and slipping them over your natural teeth. The sleeves are then permanently cemented in place, giving your smile a whole new look. Veneers can be designed to fix gaps between teeth for a more uniform smile. By covering stained or discolored teeth, veneers are a whitening fix that accomplish what normal cosmetic whitening can’t.

Putting in veneers is a surprisingly quick process, considering it’s also permanent and dramatic. It mostly involves preparing your natural teeth so the veneers fit securely over them. The actual procedure is quick, easy, and painless. You won’t even need down-time to heal.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is most often used to repair chipped teeth, but it can be used for aesthetic purposes as well. The process involves adding composite resin or porcelain to your natural teeth to change their shape. For example, if you have a gap between 2 teeth, instead of moving the teeth using braces, your dentist can use bonding to make the teeth a little bit wider to shrink the gap. If you have any unusually-small teeth, composite bonding can give the appearance of uniformity.

Bonding doesn’t require an anesthetic or any healing time afterward. It normally only takes 1 visit to your dentist’s office. Even better, it’s usually more affordable than other cosmetic dental treatments.

Gum Contouring

Also called a gum lift, gum contouring involves reshaping the gums to reveal more of the tooth crown. It’s one of the most common ways to fix a gummy smile. Gummy smiles make the teeth look smaller than they are, which can give a person’s smile a more juvenile look than they may be comfortable with. Gum contouring makes your teeth appear longer without having to change the shape or position of your teeth. It can also give your gumline a more uniform look.

During a gum lift, your dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb your mouth. The procedure most commonly involves using a dental laser. Expect some healing time after, but any soreness or sensitivity should subside within a few days. It’s a quick and dramatic way to shape your smile.

When Are Braces Necessary?

Most people think of braces for cosmetic reasons, but they’re most commonly used to treat improper alignment, which can lead to oral or jaw problems if left untreated. If you truly need braces to fix your alignment, cosmetic fixes won’t replace braces.

But if you just want your smile to shine a bit brighter so your lovely personality can take center stage, then cosmetic fixes may be just what you need. Talk to your dentist about your needs and options. They can guide you in the right direction.