About half of the United States goes to the dentist every year. Most of the people that get their teeth checked do so for the purpose of having a standard check-up done and to manage necessary work (cavities, extractions, etc.).
What about people that want to get non-necessary work done though? Do people that are seeking dentists treatments for cosmetic purposes have options when they go in to see oral professionals?
As you may have guessed, they do. Dentists offer a wide variety of purely cosmetic procedures that can help your smile shine.
Below, our team outlines a handful of the most popular procedures that are worth exploring.
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Whitening
An obvious procedure that is among the most commonly performed dentists treatments is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening aims to lighten the shade of your smile through any one of several means of intervention.
For example, whitening can be accomplished by brushing your teeth with medical-grade whitening paste. You might also consider having a dentist paint over your teeth with a whitening agent or even use special lights and gels.
Teeth whitening is affordable and can have a huge impact on the quality of your smile.
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Veneers
If your teeth are looking beat down and you don’t want to go through multiple rounds of different treatments to get them in good shape, veneers might be the way to go. Veneers are fake teeth that your dentist can drill into your mouth to replace your damaged ones.
The veneer installation process usually gets done in a single, eight hour or so session. During that time, dental professionals will file down your teeth to nubs, perform extractions, and then secure your new teeth into your mouth.
Depending on your gum health, you may have to see a gum treatment dentist or similar specialist to manage gum-related issues before becoming a veneer candidate.
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Braces
Among cosmetic procedures, braces are very common, particularly for youth.
Braces-related treatments are typically carried out by orthodontists but in some cases, can be performed by trained dentists. This treatment entails cementing brackets to your teeth and using wires to manipulate tooth positioning.
A successful round of braces could take anywhere from six months to two years to complete.
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Invisalign
While braces are widely used and affordable, for some, the stigma attached to sporting them for years is too much. In these cases, Invisalign is the best dental procedure you can get for teeth straightening.
Invisalign works similarly to braces. The big difference is that this technology relies on wearing a series of custom mouth guards that gradually work your teeth into proper positions.
Invisalign mouth guards, as their name suggests, are invisible which allows you to work on your oral health without needing to advertise it to the world.
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Bonding
Some people that are seeking help with the positioning of their teeth are already in relatively good condition. They’re just struggling with one or two small issues related to tooth gaps that they’d like to smooth over.
That’s when bonding becomes a great option.
Dental bonding is a substance that professionals can place between tooth gaps to fill them in. This treatment is used to knock out small dental imperfections and can be completed in minutes!
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Tooth Contouring
It’s not a widely advertised cosmetic procedure but tooth contouring has long been a perfectionist’s ace in the hole when it comes to getting that perfect smile. What contouring aims to do is reduce the size of large teeth to make them seem more sightly.
This process will have dentists sanding down and waxing tooth outliers in pursuit of getting everything just the way you want it.
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Botox
When we tell people they can get Botox injections at some dentists, they often do a double-take. While it’s certainly not true of all dental offices, given that dentists are masters of facial structure, some become certified to administer Botox injections as a way to more fully serve their looks-focused clients.
Botox is a paralyzing agent that can be injected underneath the skin. It creates facial tension which can smooth out lines and wrinkles.
The key with Botox is to use it in a way that helps compliment a face rather than a way that aims to recreate it. A dentist that’s a well-regarded administrator of Botox can help you find that balance and look your best.
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A Standard Cleaning
If you’re looking for the simplest way to give your smile a glow up, getting your teeth cleaned is a great way to achieve that end.
Cleanings are usually performed by dental hygienists. They’ll use special paste and a medical-grade toothbrush to get into all of the nooks and crannies of your smile that may be harboring food bits, odors, and other imperfections.
Cosmetic Dentists Treatments Are Rising in Popularity
For better or for worse, the world around us is becoming superficial. In response to this, more oral professionals are performing dentists treatments that are focused on cosmetics so they can better serve the evolving needs of their clientele.
All of that to say that if you’re interested in getting any one of the procedures we’ve noted, head over to your local oral professional and ask them what they can do for you. You may find that they’re able to provide you with exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’d like additional guidance on anything related to fashion or beauty, check out more of the content on our blog!
