How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Boost Your Self-Confidence

While it’s rewarding for dentists to help our patients with their oral health, there’s something especially moving about the experience of improving someone’s self-confidence with a simple cosmetic treatment. Many patients spend years––sometimes even their whole lives––feeling embarrassed about their teeth. When it’s time to get their pictures taken, they opt for a tight-lipped smile and when they laugh, they hold their hands up to their mouths to cover their teeth. Seeing these same patients leave our office smiling proudly for the first time is one of the best rewards a dentist can get.

Below, we’ll go over some of the ways cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile and boost your self-confidence.

As we age, the enamel on our teeth becomes thinner, which can make them appear more yellow than white. This process can be accelerated if you like to start your day with a cup or two of coffee and end it with a glass of red wine with your dinner. Whitening your teeth is a simple, affordable way to appear younger and more vibrant. 

The gold standard for whitening teeth is an in-office whitening treatment. During this procedure, we apply a strong bleaching agent to your teeth, then use a specialized light to help activate it. In under an hour, your teeth may be up to 5-7 shades lighter. If your staining is not significant, an alternative to in-office treatment is an at-home whitening kit. This is stronger than over-the-counter solutions, and it typically takes no more than two weeks to get impressive results.

Sometimes, only one or two teeth are discolored. Microabrasion, cosmetic bonding, or even  dental veneers can be used in these cases.

While stains are perhaps the most common cosmetic complaint patients have, teeth shape and size is a close runner up. Some patients think their teeth are too small; others complain that they’re too big. Some think their teeth are too varied in size, while others think they’re too flat and uniform. Chips and gaps, too, are a frequent reason for seeking cosmetic dentistry.

The method we use to reshape your teeth depends on your concerns and treatment goals. Teeth that are too long can be shaved down, while teeth that are too small can be bonded or have veneers applied to them. Bonding and veneers are also a good option for closing gaps and correcting chipped teeth. 

Some patients are unhappy with everything about their smiles. In these cases, the best solution may be dental veneers. These are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to your teeth using dental cement. They can correct crowding, gaps, discoloration, and teeth shape––in short, they allow us to start with a clean slate and give you a new smile that meets your exact specifications.

If you’d like to discuss whether cosmetic dentistry is right for you, contact us at 203-775-2225 to make an appointment with Dr. Levitt.