Are you unhappy with your smile? Maybe you look at your smile in pictures or in the mirror and think of all the ways you would change it. The good news is that with cosmetic dentistry, you can change the things you don’t like about your smile and boost your self-confidence while you’re at it. 

Your smile is the first thing people see when you meet them. It determines the first impression that others will have of you. If you’re too self-conscious to smile or if your smile doesn’t look the way you want it to, it can hurt your self-esteem and lower your confidence. 

Cosmetic dentistry includes a wide range of procedures and treatments that are designed to improve the appearance of your teeth. Here are some of the ways cosmetic dentistry can boost your self-confidence. 

Make Your Smile Brighter

One of the easiest ways to improve your smile is to whiten your teeth. Professional teeth whitening treatment at your dentist’s office will give you more dramatic results in a shorter period of time than store-bought whitening products. Another benefit of professional teeth whitening is that your dentist can control the degree of whitening that is applied so that your smile looks natural and not shockingly white. Professional whitening treatment will also last longer. 

Straighten Your Teeth

If you’re self-conscious about having crooked teeth, consider straightening them. There are now alternatives to braces that can straighten your teeth in less noticeable ways. Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that fit over your teeth and are very discreet. These aligners will gradually shift your teeth into the proper position in a subtle way. Most people will not be able to tell that you are wearing anything over your teeth. You can have a straighter smile within 6-18 months. 

Replace Missing Teeth

Do you have a missing tooth that affects your smile? There are a few different ways that a cosmetic dentist can replace a missing tooth. One option is a bridge, which is an artificial tooth attached to crowns that fit over the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to anchor it in place. Another option is a dental implant, which is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed in the jaw with a crown attached to the top. A dental implant costs more than a bridge, but it is the superior option for natural function and appearance. If you are missing a few teeth in a row or an entire arch of teeth needs to be replaced, a partial or complete denture is an option. 

Repair Chipped Teeth

If you have a tooth that is chipped or worn down, or if your teeth are different lengths, composite bonding can be used to reshape one or more teeth. Composite bonding is similar to the material used to fill a cavity. It can be dyed to match your natural tooth color and applied to repair a tooth that is chipped, cracked, or damaged in some way. 

Cover Up Imperfections

Another option for improving your smile is to cover up the existing teeth with veneers. Veneers are porcelain shell-like covers that are applied to the front of each tooth to give them a new facade. The process involves shaving off just a very thin layer of tooth enamel before attaching the veneers, which makes the procedure permanent. You can replace your veneers later on if they become damaged or worn down, but you will always need that covering over your teeth. 

Reshape Your Gums 

Sometimes the problem with your smile has nothing to do with the teeth, but with the gums. In some cases the gum tissue covers too much of the teeth, giving you a gummy smile or making your teeth appear small. Gum contouring is a procedure that removes the excess gum tissue to expose more of the crown of each tooth for a more natural smile. On the other hand, some people have receding gums that have pulled too far away from their teeth. Gum grafting is a procedure that is done to replace the missing gum tissue.

Dr. Jennifer Sokolosky of MD Smiles is a dentist in Ellicott City, MD. MD Smiles provides a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that can transform your smile and boost your self-confidence. Call (410) 531-2690 today to schedule a consultation or request an appointment.