If you’re unhappy with your teeth, several options will give you the confidence to smile again. In fact, two of the most common dental cosmetic services create a straighter and whiter smile. Atkins and Anderson Dentistry will customize a treatment plan based on your age, goals, and financial comfort level. When you trust us to take care of your cosmetic dental needs, you won’t want to hide your smile anymore. 

If you want a straighter smile:

Invisalign 

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that move your teeth into their correct position. Invisalign can redefine your smile and correct your bite. And because the aligners are nearly invisible, you may feel more comfortable and confident during the process than if you were wearing traditional braces. If you’re ready to take the next step towards a straighter smile, contact us today and schedule a free consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you. 

If you want a brighter smile:

DIY Whitening Tips 

There are a few things you can do at home to decrease plaque buildup, limit stains, and make them appear whiter. 

1. Reduce your sugar intake. Sugar supports the growth of bacteria that causes plaque buildup and gingivitis. 
2. Limit your consumption of coffee, tea, soda, wine, and dark berries that are known for staining your teeth. Tobacco also stains your teeth and should be avoided. 
3. Brush and floss regularly, especially after eating sugar or drinking or teeth-staining beverages. 
4. Consume calcium-rich food like milk, cheese, and broccoli to strengthen the white enamel on your teeth and prevent the exposure of yellow dentin underneath. 
5. Eat more fruits like strawberries and pineapples that contain teeth-whitening properties. Consuming raw vegetables not only promotes overall health but may help rub plaque away while you chew.

Professional Whitening Kit 

At Atkins and Anderson Dentistry, we trust Opalescence to safely and effectively brighten your smile. This dentist-supervised whitening system is customized to fit your teeth. Prescription-strength whitening gel and clear instructions will give you a whiter smile in less than a month. Compared to over-the-counter tooth whitening kits, Opalescence is effective and long-lasting.

If you’re ready to move forward in creating a brighter, straighter smile, call Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. Together, we’ll customize a plan that meets your needs aesthetically and financially. 

Are you proud of your smile when you scroll through the pictures on your phone, but then are less than impressed when you’re standing at the bathroom sink? Filters and lighting enhancements give you the brightest smile! But in real life, you wish your teeth were whiter. Too bad you can’t put a filter over your co-worker’s eyes or your bathroom mirror. But the good news is, you don’t have to rely on your phone’s editing technology to give you the smile of your dreams. With simple, affordable teeth-whitening options, a brighter smile is possible today.

Why Do Our Teeth Change Color?

If you’ve noticed that throughout your lifetime, your teeth begin to have a more yellow tint, you’re not alone–and you didn’t ruin your teeth. It’s natural for white teeth to look duller over the years. Here are several reasons your teeth may be looking not-so-white these days:

1. Food and Drink: Coffee, tea, and red wine all contain color pigments called chromogens that attach to the enamel and stain your teeth. (Have we just listed your favorite beverages? Don’t worry, keep reading!)

2. Tobacco Use: Tar and nicotine are two chemicals found in tobacco products that are known for staining teeth. While tar is a dark color, nicotine is colorless until it mixes with oxygen, then it creates a yellowish tint on your teeth.

3. Age: Dentin is a softer, yellowish layer of teeth below the hard, white surface called enamel. As you age, the enamel becomes thinner and the dentin becomes more prevalent.

4. Trauma: If you experience trauma to your mouth, you may notice your tooth/teeth become darker as a result of the injury.

5. Medications: Some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications have side effects that include darkening the color of your teeth. Discoloration as an adult could also be a result of exposure to certain antibiotics as a young child or infant in your mother’s womb.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that bleach your teeth. The bleach breaks up the stains so that the darker color is less concentrated and your teeth appear brighter.

Will It Work on My Teeth?

Teeth whitening options do not work on all teeth. Yellow teeth are more likely to bleach compared to brown or gray teeth. Whitening does not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings, or to reverse discoloration caused by medications or trauma. If you’re in the Bryan-College Station area, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us. We’ll make sure teeth-whitening products will effectively brighten your smile, and help you decide which option is best for you.

What Are My Teeth Whitening Options?

At Anderson and Atkins, DDS, we offer three teeth whitening options.

1. In-office Professional Whitening: During this procedure, a dentist will apply a protective gel to your gums and then apply bleach to your teeth. In most cases, only one office visit is necessary to give your smile a new life.

2. Custom At-Home Bleaching: We use the Opalescence tooth whitening system that provides you with prescription-strength whitening gel, a customized tray that fits perfectly over your teeth. Initially, you’ll work with your dentist and receive detailed instructions on how to use the whitening trays at home. In two to four weeks, this dentist-supervised whitening process will safely and effectively change your smile.

3. Prefabricated Bleaching Trays: This option has a lower concentration of bleach, but can still be effective. We’ll help you determine which prefabricated bleaching tray is best for you.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Many people who whiten their teeth experience temporary tooth sensitivity. If the peroxide in the whitener passes through the enamel into the dentin, your teeth can become irritated. If you experience sensitivity, take a break from treatment until the sensitivity subsides, then you can continue whitening. Before you whiten your teeth, talk with your dentist so you avoid overuse and risk damaging your enamel or gums.

If you’d like to learn more about the teeth whitening options at Anderson and Atkins Dentistry, call our office to schedule an appointment.

From subtle changes to major oral surgery, modern cosmetic dentistry works to improve the appearance of your smile through one or more procedures. Most cosmetic dental procedures are non-essential, but they can have dramatic results on your overall appearance; even the smallest change can boost your confidence, self-esteem, and make you want to smile more. With modern advances in dentistry, cosmetic procedures can range from a basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between.

Why Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry differs from general or restorative dentistry procedures in that they are elected as opposed to required. You may be asking, “Why would someone elect for dental work that isn’t necessarily going to improve their health?” The answer is quality of life. It is hard to understate the importance of a beautiful smile; according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of adults believe that a smile is an important social asset. If you weren’t blessed with naturally perfect teeth or gorgeous pearly whites, you’re not alone. Cosmetic Dentistry has the power to boost your appearance and overall self-confidence. An enhanced appearance often leads directly to improved self-confidence. A better smile can change the way people perceive you and behave around you. Simple activities like meeting new people, going on dates, and attending parties may become easier due to your improved self-confidence. A smile is so much more than a smile when it impacts a person’s confidence and perhaps even their sense of self-worth.

What Options Are Available?

Now that you know the benefits of cosmetic dentistry, you may be wondering about the various treatments available. Devices and procedures are available to improve the color, shape, size, and position of teeth.

• Teeth Whitening: This procedure brightens teeth that are discolored or stained, and can be done in a dentist’s office or at home dependent upon your dentist’s recommendations.
• Bonding: This is to repair small chips or cracks by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface.
• Veneers: These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections.
• Tooth Reshaping: This procedure involves changing the teeth to improve their appearance by modifying or removing enamel.
• Braces and Clear Aligners: These move teeth into the right position.
• Crown lengthening: This minor surgery can fix lost tooth structure and/or missing teeth by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and give the appearance of longer teeth.

How Can We Help You?

The skill and experience of the dentist you select can impact the outcome of your cosmetic dentistry work. At Anderson and Atkins DDS, our trained dentists specialize in various forms of cosmetic dentistry and can help you explore the pros and cons of each procedure so that you can find a solution that helps you achieve your perfect smile. We offer custom at-home bleaching trays, bleaching strips, aesthetic composite bonding, veneers, and crowns, and are looking to expand into in-office bleaching by next Spring. Our dentists and office staff are happy to field any questions regarding aesthetics and what the best treatment plan will be for you as each patient’s needs are different. It’s important to understand that what works for one patient may not be right for you. For example, if a patient has fillings in their front teeth and decides to bleach, the fillings won’t bleach (only the teeth); in these cases, we must consider alternative whitening methods. On the other hand, “Bonding” is a hot word for patients when it comes to aesthetics, but it is simply filling material we put on the outside of their teeth to help with aesthetics. This can be a good, more affordable, option for a lot of people, but bonding can discolor over time whereas veneers, although more expensive, can last longer.

The Bottom Line

With today’s emphasis on youth and appearance, cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular than ever. While not many people have naturally perfect teeth, almost anyone can attain a dazzling smile with the help of a dentist. For more information about how Anderson & Atkins, DDS can help you obtain the smile of your dreams, or if you have any questions about our practice, please feel free to contact our office at (979) 846-1813 or email us at info@craigandersondds.com.

 

Sources: https://www.123dentist.com/everything-want-know-cosmetic-dentistry/
http://www.drcurtiskaiser.com/treatment/cosmetic-dentistry
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=w&iid=300&aid=1196