Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a popular branch of dentistry because it helps people look as good as they feel. You can transform your teeth and gums into the smile you’ve always wanted with the right services. If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Gainesville, GA, it helps to know what to expect and how to tailor each service to your particular needs.
Cosmetic Dentistry Begins with Solid Dental Health
Cosmetic dentistry is not about covering up tooth or gum decay. Before you can get many of the most common services, including teeth whitening and veneers, you’ll need to have strong teeth and gums before you can get additional work done. This is not only because dentists have a vested interest in keeping you healthy; it’s also because many of the services won’t work if you don’t have good oral health.
The good news is that whether you need a basic tooth cleaning or a more involved root canal, these services can help you preserve your natural teeth (which, in turn, helps you preserve your facial structure, eating habits, and speech patterns).
What Are the Most Common Cosmetic Procedures in Gainesville?
Most dental practices will offer the following for their patients:
- Teeth whitening: At-home teeth whitening may lighten your teeth a shade or two, but professional teeth whitening is the only way to remove multiple layers of stains. Whether you love your cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine at night or are a smoker, teeth whitening in Gainesville can refresh your smile and reflection.
- Veneers: Veneers in Gainesville, GA are an excellent choice if you want to correct cosmetic flaws in your most visible teeth. Gaps, cracks, stubborn discoloration, and misalignment issues can all be corrected with these thin (usually) porcelain shells, giving you whiter, straighter teeth running the length of your smile.
- Implants: Dental implants replace teeth by bonding a metal post to your jawbone. Because they mimic your natural tooth, they’re the closest thing you can get if you’ve lost a tooth to extraction or trauma. Implants are also considered restoration dentistry because they can restore your original oral structure.
- Gum contouring: Gum contouring can help you reduce the visible gum when you smile. Plus, the more tissue you remove with gum contouring, the fewer chances that plaque and bacteria can build up within the folds.
It’s worth noting that the same service can fall under multiple categories. For example, people might put crowns on their teeth to make them all look uniform, even though they don’t technically need them to strengthen the tooth.
How Long Do Treatments Last?
Cosmetic treatments vary based on the dental practice and the type of material you choose. For example, composite bonding or veneers may only last a few years, while porcelain veneers can last for more than a decade. Quality implants and crowns can last for multiple decades, potentially even a half century or more. If you’re going to spring for cosmetic treatments, it makes sense to choose a quality practice so you don’t have to keep coming back again and again.
Why Cosmetic Dentistry?
It’s easy for some people to dismiss cosmetic dentistry as a waste of effort, but consider that people who take pride in their smile are more likely to take care of it. All that time in the chair may inspire you not only to thoroughly brush every morning and night, but also to floss and visit your regular dentist twice a year. If you’re looking for a team that can help, the staff at Jason C. Croft, D.M.D. are happy to answer your questions and schedule your appointments!