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If you are considering dental implants, contact a dentist to learn more about the risks and side effects associated with the implant procedure.

Cosmetic dentistry provides solutions to a variety of dental problems. The following is a discussion of how cosmetic dentistry can be used to dramatically improve smiles.

If you have crooked teeth but don't want to wear metal braces for the next several months or years, Invisalign may offer an ideal solution for your situation. Following are some common questions about the system and how it works to avoid the need for traditional methods used to straighten teeth.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign uses detailed measurements and information about the current state of your crooked teeth to create a series of 18 to 30 invisible plastic molds that gradually straighten teeth. A popular method used in orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign trays are worn for two weeks each, for 24 hours a day. They are also removable, presenting a hygienic way to clean them and your teeth without having to work around permanent hardware, as is the case with traditional braces.

Who is a good candidate for Invisalign treatment?

Virtually anyone with crooked teeth can benefit from and achieve their desired smile through Invisalign. If you have any bite abnormalities or other issues which would require a different system, your orthodontist or cosmetic dentist will assess whether Invisalign is right for you.

Are Invisalign molds painful?

Patients will experience some discomfort during the first few days of using a new Invisalign mold, much like what occurs after an orthodontist adjusts traditional braces. Usually, a mild pain reliever is all that is needed to alleviate this discomfort.

How long does the treatment last?

The treatment time suggested for any patient is determined on a case-by-case basis. Depending upon the severity of your crooked teeth, treatment may last from only a few months to a couple of years--very comparable to treatment times required with traditional braces.

How much does Invisalign cost?

Orthodontic Invisalign treatments will cost approximately 20% to 50% more than metal braces, but offer an invisible option that allows you to eat and speak freely. Most won't even notice you have the trays inserted.

How do I clean my Invisalign trays?

While eating, Invisalign trays are removed to allow for normal chewing. Patients are able to then brush and floss their teeth normally, as well as brush the Invisalign tray prior to reinserting it into their mouth.

Whether you are whitening your teeth at home with one of the many home whitening kits, or you are paying for professional teeth whitening, it seems everyone is brightening up their smile now. Believe it or not, there was one point in time when teeth whitening was reserved for only the wealthiest of people. In fact, the history of this common cosmetic dental procedure is steeped with interesting facts and information. Did you ever wonder how people first began whitening their teeth before the more modern kits and procedures were discovered? The truth behind that thought is both interesting and cringe worthy. Needless to say, technology was lacking initially and dental practices were quite barbaric and rudimentary. The history of teeth whitening starts with the tooth brush. Yes, believe it or not brushing teeth was not always a standard part of good hygiene. The first tooth brush was made of a stick. The stick would be frayed on one end so that end could brush the teeth. OUCH! The first toothpaste, was made of ground up pumice stone and wine vinegar. Double OUCH!! Naturally, as they did with many things, the Romans attempted to perfect the teeth whitening process. They did this by making a new toothpaste that had urine as an ingredient. YUCK! That said, there was actually thought behind this because ammonia does actually whiten teeth and urine contains ammonia. Later, more barbaric practices of teeth whitening came to practice. People would actually have their teeth filed and covered in acid to achieve a whiter smile. However, this practice didn't last long because although it did lead to a temporarily whiter smile it also caused eventual rot and decay. Needless to say, we have come a far distance from the original methods used for teeth whitening. Kits and whitening toothpastes available from cosmetic dentists use a carefully measured combination of chemicals to slowly whiten your smile without causing unnecessary damage. This ensures that your tooth enamel stays intact and your smile is as bright as you wish it to be.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who are concerned with the appearance of their smile, a cosmetic dentist can help. Learn more about what treatments are available to address common dental concerns like staining, chips, gaps, and missing or crooked teeth.  

Stained or Discolored Teeth

Tooth discoloration can be caused by everything from smoking to aging. While most superficial staining can be removed with a thorough dental cleaning, some tooth staining, darkening, and yellowing is permanent. In-office or take-home tooth whitening can address both minor and severe tooth stains. To find out which whitening system is best for you, consult a cosmetic dentist.

Crooked, Crowded, or Misaligned Teeth

Patients with misaligned teeth have a variety of treatments to choose from. Cosmetic dentists often recommend porcelain veneers for minor alignment issues; veneers can be used to cover problem areas to improve the appearance of smiles. Orthodontic treatment may be necessary for patients with severely misaligned teeth, but new teeth straightening systems like Invisalign mean patients can achieve straighter smiles in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional orthodontics.

Missing Teeth

Patients with one or more missing teeth can choose between a temporary restoration with dentures or crowns and permanent restoration with dental implants. While dental implants require a significant investment of both time and money, they are the only permanent tooth replacement option for patients.

Chipped Teeth and Minor Gaps

Many dental patients are surprised to discover that cosmetic dental issues they have dealt with their entire lives can be fixed in just minutes with bonding material. Dental bonding is ideal for the treatment of minor cosmetic flaws such as chips and gaps. A tooth-colored bonding material can be applied to the teeth and sculpted by a cosmetic dentist in a single visit. Not only is bonding a quick and effective option for fixing cosmetic issues, it is also one of the cheapest cosmetic dentistry options available.

Unsightly Smile

For those with multiple cosmetic dental concerns, a smile makeover may be the best option. Smile makeovers usually involve a combination of restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments, including everything from teeth whitening to dental implant restoration. Cosmetic dentists use smile makeovers to improve the appearance of your smile, the function of your bite, and the health of your teeth and gums.

People who are missing one or more of their natural teeth face a variety of problems.  Aside from the obvious aesthetic issues associated with having gaps in a smile, which can be the source of great self-consciousness for many people, missing teeth can pose serious oral health problems.  Over time, the structure that underlies the space once occupied by a tooth will begin to erode, almost as though the gum and jawbone, realizing that it no longer serves any useful purpose, make a conscious decision to retire.  The teeth surrounding a gap respond by shifting out of their ideal position toward the empty space.  As a result, the bite weakens, and the face, no longer fully supported by healthy bone and gum, begins to sag and become sunken.

Functional Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants provide the most stable and durable solution to these oral health problems.  By replacing the natural tooth root with a strong titanium post, dental implants "trick" the bone and gum into returning to duty while keeping the natural teeth from encroaching upon the once-vacant space.  Because titanium is not treated as foreign matter by the human body, the dental implant integrates with the natural anatomy and is unlikely to be rejected.  Both the implant and the crown, bridge, or full set of dentures attached to it, will restore the mouth back to full strength, allowing wearers to eat, speak, and smile with absolute assurance.

Cosmetic Benefits of Dental Implants

Of course, the aesthetic benefits of dental implants are equally impressive.  Because implants allow the replacement tooth or teeth to be attached below the gum line, the results are more realistic looking than are possible with other methods of restoration.  Indeed, to the naked eye, a smile restored with dental implants looks no different from a smile full of healthy natural teeth.  Although the actual restorations may need to be repaired or replaced every decade or so, the titanium posts can last a lifetime with proper care.  Truly, no other cosmetic dentistry option offers the same permanence or stability.