How Do You Know if Cosmetic Dentistry is Right for You?

July 14, 2022

Woman selecting tooth color for cosmetic dentistry

As the world moves further into the ‘Internet Age,’ more people are now aware of cosmetic dentistry. After all, everyone’s looking for ways to improve their smiles on social media. Depending on who’s watching, having white and shiny teeth could make you an online star! Still, many don’t know whether cosmetic dental work is the best choice for them. If you feel the same way, though, your Saskatchewan dentist can help. Here’s a summary of cosmetic dentistry basics that’ll give you an idea of what to expect from the field.

Consider What You Want from Treatment

At its core, cosmetic dentistry is any dental procedure that improves your smile’s looks. Therefore, ask yourself what you’d want to change about your smile. If it’s anything from the list below, you’d probably be a good candidate:

  • Chips or cracks in your teeth
  • Tooth stains or discoloration
  • Teeth misalignment or misshaping
  • Tooth gaps

What are Typical Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

Cosmetic dental treatments can achieve similar results while using different methods. As such, some will be better for your situation than others. For example, consider the strengths and weaknesses of these three.

Metal-Free Restorations

Older dental restorations often used gold or silver, which drew unneeded attention. Metal-free ones, meanwhile, are crowns and bridges that restore your teeth without using metal.

Most of the latter are made of porcelain, a material that can help a tooth regain its strength and appearance. It can also mimic the look of natural enamel down to the smallest detail, including how it reflects light.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain layers that dentists apply to the front surface of teeth. They cover up dental flaws like chips, cracks, and stains to improve your smile’s appearance.

The porcelain used in this treatment is designed to match a patient’s enamel. As a result, each veneer blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth to create a significantly better-looking smile.

Gum Recontouring

Gum recontouring uses a dental laser to remove excess gum tissue around your teeth. In doing so, it helps your smile look less “gummy,” making your pearly whites seem longer and better aligned. It can also shape the gum line to better frame your teeth.

If what you’ve read so far seems relevant to you, consider visiting a local dental practice about possible treatments. Their staff can help you decide which procedure (if any) would best suit you.

About the Practice

Legacy Dental is based in Prince Albert, SK. Led by Dr. Wilson, Dr. Yim, and Dr. Sharma, our practice aims to combine warm and personalized care with cutting-edge dentistry. We thus offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, all tailored to your smile’s unique needs. Whether you want to make your grin healthier, prettier, or both, our team is here for you! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (306) 763-7841.