When determining if cosmetic dentistry is right for you, consider how you feel about yourself, and about your smile. If you could use a self-esteem or confidence booster, starting with your teeth is important. When you have crooked, discolored, chipped, or missing teeth smiling can be embarrassing. However, there are options. You can get dental work done on teeth that have no cavities, however, this work is not necessarily for dental health, as much as it is for appearance. Cosmetic dentistry makes it so people who are embarrassed of their teeth no longer have to be.

How do you know if cosmetic dentistry is for you? Well, consider why it exists…cosmetic dentistry was designed specifically to improve the appearance of healthy teeth. Why do people get cosmetic dentistry? There are a number of reasons people get cosmetic dentistry, including:
Misshapen or crooked teeth, discolored teeth, broken or missing teeth, large spaces or gaps in the teeth, or even an uneven gum line. Other reasons people get cosmetic dentistry is to make their teeth bigger, even on the bottom, etc.

So, is cosmetic dentistry right for you?
Well, do you have any misshapen or crooked teeth that bother you, embarrass you, or that you wish were fixed?
Are your teeth pearly white, or do you have some discolored teeth?
Does your smile suffer because of broken or missing teeth?
Would you smile more if you did not have large spaces or gaps in your teeth?
Does an uneven gum line keep you from flashing your pearly whites?
Do you feel your teeth are too small for your mouth?

Regardless of the reason, cosmetic dentistry may be right for you if there is anything about your smile you don’t like, or if you could simply use a confidence booster.

So, what types of cosmetic dentistry are available, and what makes you a candidate for them? Your dentist can help you determine the best type of cosmetic dentistry for your particular situation, but the following are some of the more common types of cosmetic dentistry:

In-office whitening
Tooth whitening is most certainly the most common and most popular form of cosmetic dentistry. With teeth whitening agents being available at drug stores, grocery stores, etc. it is no wonder so many people are whitening their teeth. However, even though you can purchase whitening products at your local drugstore, cosmetic whitening from a dentist is much more effective. While it can be rather costly, it will whiten up to 8 shades, as opposed to the 2 or 3 shades over the counter products will whiten your teeth. Also, it can be much faster, and with less side effects, like uneven whitening, irritated gums, etc.

The most common types of whitening are bleaching trays, as they are professional, but still affordable. Your dentist will make you custom-fit trays that are then filled with a bleaching gel by you at home and worn for a specific period of time. Another popular option is laser whitening, which takes about an hour and involves painting the teeth with a special gel, then shining a laser on them which activated the gel and whitens the teeth. Bleaching trays can cost up to several hundred dollars, while laser whitening is usually around $1,000.

Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain sheets that are bonded to the front of the tooth and act as a false front. This can greatly transform the appearance of the teeth, making it look larger, whiter, etc. Some people opt to get veneers over whitening as it acts as a permanent whitening, since they are resistant to staining. Veneers, however, are generally not used just for whitening but are used to correct small imperfections on the teeth and in some cases can be used in place of braces.