A Teenager's Guide to Braces

If you are one of the many people who have been unhappy with the look of their smile because of the condition of their teeth, it might be time to consider making use of one of the cosmetic dentistry options out there. To help you gain a good idea of the types of cosmetic dentistry options there are and therefore what might be the best idea for your particular situation, you will want to spend a little time reading over the following:

Teeth Whitening 

This is a great option for those who have had stains or yellowing of their teeth due to past problems. For example, some medications can cause discoloration of teeth. Long-term use of nicotine or the drinking of coffee and tea can stain teeth. Some people experience yellowing of their teeth due to previous problems with severe depression. If the source of the discoloration or staining of the teeth is no longer something you have to deal with, you can work to get the stains removed through professional dental whitening.

Dental Crowns

While dental crowns are used to cover broken teeth, it is still considered an elective procedure. This is because there are cheaper options that the insurance company would rather pay for, such as an extraction of the problem tooth. However, you might not want to go that route if you would rather keep your natural tooth and get a crown put on so it looks nicer and your natural tooth is protected from developing further damage.

Dental Veneers

If you do not like the look or shape of your teeth, but do not feel that they are bad enough to have extracted and replaced with implants or dentures, you could opt for veneers. In this procedure, your natural teeth are shaved down some and a porcelain shell is glued over the teeth. This can give you the perfect smile you have always wanted. It is important to know that while they are glued in place, there may come a time when you need to have the veneers replaced with new ones.

Make sure that you are getting on the phone to set up a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Some cosmetic dentistry options may be able to be handled by your regular dentist. However, others might require the specialty of a cosmetic dentist. Your regular dentist may be able to refer you to another dental professional if they determine that you would be better helped by them. Remember, since cosmetic dentistry options are elective and not required for health, insurance companies tend to deny paying for them. You will need to work out payment arrangements with your dentist.

For more info, contact a company like Scott Nickels, DDS.