Many people are plagued by problems with the look of their teeth. Even if the teeth are relatively healthy, a dental patient may still be concerned about cosmetic dental issues.
If you are interested in improving the appearance of your teeth, there are are multiple cosmetic dental treatments that are available. Here are a few of them.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a dental treatment that corrects the alignment of the teeth. The system, which is made up of clear, plastic aligning trays, is used to apply pressure that repositions the teeth.
Each clear aligner in the treatment plan is worn for a couple of weeks and then replaced by the next successive aligning tray. Each tray further straightens the teeth.
The Invisalign system is designed to straighten the teeth quickly and discreetly. The treatment is usually completed in a year or less. Additionally, the aligners are transparent in the mouth. As a result, observers may not even realize that the dental patient is undergoing the treatment for a misalignment.
Also, unlike other types of aligning applications, Invisalign is removable. Thus, dental patients can eat, brush, and floss in their usual manner.
Dental Bleaching
As a person eats and drinks, the teeth are exposed to the pigments within the ingested items. These pigments can become trapped within the pores of the tooth enamel. As the pigments build up, the teeth become progressively discolored.
Food and drink-based discoloration can often be bleached from the teeth. Dental bleaches, which typically contain peroxide-based ingredients, help bleach stains from the enamel.
Some dental bleaching products are available for purchase over-the-counter. These products are usually less effective than professional products and are often used for an extended period of time.
Professional dental bleaching products are applied in the dentist's office and work faster than over-the-counter products. The application process also tends to be more precise for professional treatments.
Prior to applying the bleaching product, the dentist protects the soft tissues of the mouth. Also, once the dental bleach is in place, an ultraviolet light may be applied to enhance the whitening effects. After the professional application, dental patients often notice that their teeth are several shades whiter.
In most instances, chemical bleaches are sufficient to whiten the teeth. However, people who have experienced discoloration from dental trauma or a birth defect may not notice a significant improvement in the color of their teeth when using chemical bleaches. Since discoloration from congenital conditions and trauma is permanent, dental veneers or dental crowns may be more suitable treatments to whiten the teeth in these cases.
If you would like to improve the look of your teeth, schedule an appointment with a dentist like Jacob L. Revercomb DMD.
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