Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic an increasing number of patients have sought out the services of cosmetic dentists for a complete Smile Makeover. Whether because of missing teeth, dealing with discoloration or because of an uneven smile, cosmetic solutions offer the prospect of a more uniform, attractive, magazine-quality smile. Cosmetic dentists, like Dr. Stephen Petinge, are capable of employing a wide range of techniques to help people get that flawless smile. But it’s not only about a straight set of pearly whites. If you’d still like to make some changes to your smile now that you’ve dropped the mask, it’s not too late!
The word cosmetic might make you think that these dentists are only focused on enhancing your smile’s appearance. It’s certainly true that appearance is a big reason why patients seek out these services. The improved self-confidence and body image that comes from having an attractive smile cannot be understated! However, the benefits of working with a cosmetic dentist go far beyond superficial appearance. In fact, the work of a cosmetic dentist can help you save your teeth, fix aspects of your bite alignment that may cause excessive wear on your teeth, and could even dramatically improve your oral health by eliminating areas where food can get trapped and cause dental decay.
Here are a few of the ways in which a cosmetic dentist at our Saugus dental office can improve your oral health and your smile all at once.
1. Porcelain veneers
Your cosmetic dentist in Melrose may recommend porcelain veneers as a way to improve your smile. These are custom-made shells designed to cover the front of your teeth to improve their color and appearance. There are plastic veneers available as well, but porcelain is generally considered the best option for correcting defect in natural teeth.
Veneers are a long-lasting method of improving teeth with chips, spaces or strange shapes, and they also cover up unsightly stains. To make the veneer, the dentist will make a mold with your teeth and then create the veneer in the lab. You’ll need an appointment to get the mold made, then another appointment to get the veneer inserted, and to make sure it is a good fit.
2. Dental bonding
If you have an excessive amount of space in between teeth or have chipped, cracked or broken teeth, dental bonding can be an effective way of resolving this issue. Bonding materials can help to fill cavities or protect exposed roots, and can improve the appearance of your teeth. The bond will last for a few years, though it will eventually start to wear down and could be susceptible to chipping or staining. Bonding is a common cosmetic fix that’s great for restoring your ability to articulate while you talk.
3. Dental implants
Dental implants can be an effective long-term cosmetic solution, but they require more extensive procedures that can be costlier. Where bridges use nearby teeth to anchor replacement teeth, implants are surgically affixed to the jawbone. An implant is simply a post fixed into the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. A dental crown that looks like a natural tooth is then placed on top of the implant to finish off the replacement of the missing tooth.
These implants, installed by a specially trained cosmetic dentist, feature titanium fused to the jawbone, an abutment that goes over the part of the implant that comes out of the gums, and a crown that creates the tooth-like appearance. A couple implants can be a great, stable tooth replacement, though it might not be the most effective solution for more than just a couple of teeth.
4. Implanted dentures
Implanted dentures are a costly option, but are effective for replacing larger numbers of missing teeth and for doing a larger makeover of your smile. This solution is beneficial because it helps you retain bone density through osseointegration—when the bone fuses to the implant. Implant dentures are a scale solution for several missing teeth or degenerative dental problems. Also called all-on-four or all-on-six, the implant supported denture sits on four or six implanted posts. The denture then fits over the implanted posts and does so more firmly than regular dentures giving more power to your bite so the denture won’t slip the way traditional dentures often do.
These dentures make it much easier for you to chew food again and talk without affected articulation or enunciation. Plus, they’ll simply provide a much healthier looking and more attractive smile!
5. Teeth whitening
This is one of the most popular procedures you can have performed by a cosmetic dentist in Melrose, and the most purely “cosmetic” service you’ll find on this list. Over an extended period of time, teeth can become discolored or stained. This is especially common among people who drink a lot of coffee or tea, or people who smoke. Teeth bleaching is one of the simplest ways to begin improving the look of your teeth and can help freshen up your smile and give your face a brighter appearance.
Your dentist will create a custom regimen for you based on your whitening needs, and may even discuss how deep a shade of white you’d like as the end result. You may undergo in-office whitening, or be given a custom mouthpiece tray at home. At-home whitening often takes two to four weeks, while in-office whitening can occur in one or more visits of one to two hours.
Explore the opportunities of cosmetic dentistry
Interested in learning more about what a cosmetic dentist can do for you? Contact Dr. Petinge and his team at Petinge Dental to schedule an appointment. There are plenty of cosmetic dentistry options available to explore—finding the best one that works for you will improve oral health and give you the perfect smile you crave.
