Until the development of the modern dental cosmetic procedure, many had to endure the look of their teeth from childhood to adulthood. Today, you all have the option of correcting the alignment of your teeth, and beyond.
However, some might feel that dental cosmetic procedures aren’t worth the money. The purpose of dental cosmetic procedures is to improve the aesthetics of the overall appearance of teeth.
To help you make a decision, the following are the positives and negatives of undergoing dental procedures.
- Dental Whitening
The appeal of a pearly white smile never goes out of style. Luckily, it’s also quite affordable. You can even do teeth whitening at home on your own by using teeth strips. They can take a few weeks to work, but they’re effective.
But if you want to improve the actual shade of your teeth, you can drop by the dental clinic and have a whitening procedure that works in as little as an hour. It’s one of the most in demand cosmetic dental procedures that helps improve one’s overall appearance.
Note that you need to be realistic and manage your expectations. A session isn’t enough to keep your teeth white. It’s a kind of procedure that needs maintenance.
Pros:
- The procedure is non-invasive and noncommittal.
- There are different options and price points.
- Treatment doesn’t take long.
- It’s affordable.
Cons:
- It has limitations when it comes to certain stains.
- You have to avoid wine, berries, and red sauce.
- It might cause temperature sensitivity.
- Dental Implants
When the teeth become decayed, they have to be extracted, leaving the mouth with gaps that cannot be filled unless you decide to get implants. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, thus, keeping tissue deterioration at bay.
There are two stages to getting implants. First, a screw or metal rod is surgically inserted into the patient’s jawbone. A crown is attached to the abutment of the implant that’s visible. You have to wait up to six months for the jawbone to bind with the implant. The process is called osseointegration.
Pros:
- Implants appear and function like natural teeth.
- It’s made to last with good home care.
- Implant maintenance is much like that of a natural tooth.
- It prevents loss of bone tissue.
Cons:
- It’s the most expensive of all the procedures.
- It’s not for all patients; you have to be eligible.
- The procedure can take up to seven months.
- There’s a risk of infection.
- Composite Bonding
Bonding is specifically for teeth that are chipped, decayed, misshapen, or broken. The procedure uses composite resin to correct the following issues and improve your natural smile. You can learn about what to expect with tooth bonding if you want to undergo this procedure.
The resin used is the same color as the tooth and is applied to specific teeth that need treatment. The material bonds and hardens with the tooth, and the dentist shapes and trims the resin until it’s ready for polishing. It eventually blends in with the rest of the teeth.
Pros:
- The procedure is inexpensive.
- It only takes a single appointment to fix your teeth; it may take only an hour.
- It’s minimally invasive.
Cons:
- It’s limited only to a few dental issues.
- The material also has durability concerns; at best, it lasts up to seven years.
- It may discolor over time.
- Veneers
Veneers can give an instantly dazzling smile. They’re made of thin porcelain or resin and fitted or bonded to teeth to cover chipped, stained, uneven, worn, misaligned, and crooked teeth.
Veneers can range from USD$800 to USD$2,000 per tooth and are even pricier if multiple teeth must undergo treatment. Sometimes, healthy teeth might need to be shaved down to accommodate the shell. Ensure to stay away from chalk-colored veneers and ask for before and after pictures.
If you want to have the procedure, search for a dentist who’s a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The dentist must also have experience in occlusion because if the patient has a poor bite, the veneers won’t last long, albeit they can endure for up to 25 years.
Pros:
- It restores your smile instantly.
- It lasts a long time with proper oral hygiene.
- It’s stain-resistant and discoloration-resistant.
Cons:
- The enamel of the teeth must be removed to fit the veneer.
- The teeth become weaker because the enamel is removed.
- Tooth grinding can cause damage to the veneers.
- Veneers are expensive.
In Conclusion
Cosmetic dental procedures have both pros and cons for various aesthetic issues. Some are inexpensive, while others are pricier, depending on the complexity of the treatment.
If you want to undergo treatment, make sure that the dentist has specialized in dental cosmetology and is a member of specific organizations. These procedures aren’t cheap, so you need someone to do the job correctly.
