Your smile is your greatest asset in creating a great first impression. In a recent study, 99.7% of people polled said they find a smile to be one of the biggest factors that they base a first impression on. At least 75% of people believe that cosmetic dental issues can have a negative impact on a person’s career opportunities.


Fortunately, regardless of the severity of your dental issues, cosmetic dentistry can fix any dental problem and is more affordable and accessible than ever. Here are a few of the procedures that top cosmetic dentists recommend to correct any reason that makes you too embarressed to smile:


Dental Whitening
Regardless of how extensive your dental hygiene routine is, teeth discolor over time. Your teeth might become particularly discolored if you smoke, drink coffee or tea, or take certain medications. If you are embarrassed by the color of your teeth, your dentist can restore their white color through dental bleaching. This can be achieved in a one to two hour procedure in your dentist’s office, or with a kit your dentist will provide for you to perform yourself at home. If you maintain a healthy dental hygiene regimen of brushing, flossing, and using antiseptic mouthwash daily, you should be able to maintain the benefits of dental whitening for an extensive length of time.


Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure that fills in dental imperfections due to gaps, cracks, chips or breakage of the teeth. Dental bonding can be accomplished in a single dental visit. The dentist simply uses the same bonding material used to fill cavities to fill in and correct the imperfection. The downside to dental bonding is that it does not have the longevity of more extensive cosmetic dentistry procedures. Dental bonding corrections tend to wear down and stain over time.


Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a basically a thin dental shell that cover the front and sides of the teeth and correct any imperfections. You can achieve a superior appearance and longer lasting results with porcelain veneers than with dental bonding. To receive porcelain veneers, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth, and then make a custom make custom veneers in a laboratory that correct any imperfections. On a second visit, the dentist will buff about 0.2-0.5 millimeters of the natural enamel off and then attach the veneer with a permanent adhesive. Depending on the method and type of porcelain veneers you receive, the benefits will last as long as 15 years.


Dental Crowns
A crown is a step beyond a veneer, and is basically a cap that entirely covers the core of the old tooth. Because crowns are more invasive and expensive than previously mentioned treatments, it is generally reserved for cases where good results can’t be achieved with easier procedures. If the crown is made from porcelain fused to metal, resin, or ceramic, the look is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. If they are applied correctly and properly maintained, a dental crown will last a lifetime.


Have you received a cosmetic dental procedure to correct your smile? What procedure did you opt for and how do you love the results? Please share your experience in the comment section below!