Everyone knows that summer is a great time to hit the beach, and there are few better places to show off a pretty smile than the sandy shores. Sadly, many people might be shy about flashing their grins due to anxiety about dental flaws such as cracks, gaps, chips, or stains. Luckily, there are a variety of cosmetic dental treatments available that can help you achieve a prettier smile. Here’s a brief guide to some of these procedures that may get your teeth into beach-ready shape.
Porcelain Veneers Can Give Your Smile a New Shine
If you’ve ever wondered how so many movie stars and media personalities have flawless smiles, the answer is often that they have received porcelain veneers. These thin porcelain shells are designed to be placed in as few as two appointments, and they can completely transform a smile by covering up extensive flaws like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, or misshapen teeth with beautiful restorations that mimic the ideal appearance of natural tooth structure.
How Are Porcelain Veneers Placed?
During the first appointment, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic treatment to ensure your comfort before removing a small amount of enamel from the teeth being treated. They will then take your bite impressions and fix a temporary set of veneers on your teeth. These bite impressions will be sent to a lab where a skilled technician will craft your permanent veneers.
When this final set comes in, you’ll return to the dentist’s office for your second appointment. Your temporary veneers will be removed, your permanent ones will be cemented and adjusted, and you’ll be ready to show your grin off. With excellent care, your veneers can last up to fifteen years before needing replacement.
Lumineers Can Make Your Grin Beach-Worthy
Lumineers are an alternative to porcelain veneers. They work in the same way by placing thin shells of high-quality material that mimic the appearance of natural tooth structure over teeth to conceal dental defects like chips, stains, and gaps, but Lumineers are thin enough to be placed without removing any enamel. This makes the process of receiving them reversible, which is not the case for veneers. Lumineers can be a great option for people who want to enhance their smile without altering their teeth.
There’s no better way to enjoy the beach than with a beautiful smile. Consulting with your dentist can help determine if either of these treatments are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. J.D. Robison studied at Purdue University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Detroit Mercy, and he has completed the core curriculum of the prestigious Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. He is proud to be a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics. His office in Canton, MI, offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as Lumineers and porcelain veneers. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact his office online or dial (734) 453-6320.