An imperfect smile can make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable, but problems with your teeth can be fixed! There are many ways that a smile can be damaged, whether through injury, a long-term lack of dental care, or dental diseases/infections. But current dental technology can restore a smile through a number of different procedures. If you have chipped, broken, decaying, or missing teeth, consult a dentist and ask about the following procedures:
Dental Implants
Missing teeth not only affect how your smile looks, they can also affect how the skin around your mouth looks. Your teeth provide support for your lips and skin, so missing teeth can result in a sunken in look that many people are not comfortable having. One of the easiest solution for missing teeth is dental implants. This procedure involves inserting tooth colored implants into your jaw bone, where they will permanently adhere. When done by an experienced dentist, dental implants can last for decades, and they will look just like your natural teeth. Talk to a dentist to learn more about this topic.
Bonding
If you have a chipped or broken tooth, it can most likely be repaired through bonding. In this type of procedure a resin material is used to correct chips and cracks. A dentist who is experienced in bonding will mold the resin around the damaged tooth, and then mold it into the desired shape. After the proper shape is achieved, the tooth will be polished to seal the bonding.
Veneers
If you have a number of crooked, discolored, misshaped, or cracked teeth, you can get a perfect smile with veneers. Instead of working on each tooth to restore it, veneers cover the front of the teeth for a cosmetically appealing appearance. Veneers are typically used to restore smiles that don't look great—your teeth will need to be healthy and decay-free in order to get veneers. Your dentist will work with you to determine the exact shape and color your want your smile to be before your custom veneers are made. The porcelain or resin veneer shells will them be applied to the front of your existing teeth.
Dental Crowns
You don't have to live with the look of damaged teeth. If you have old silver fillings, or teeth that are discolored, fractured, or decaying, a dental crown can be the ideal solution. Depending on your situation, your dentist will treat any issues with your tooth, and then "cap" it with a tooth colored crown. Your dental problem will be taken care of, and your previously damaged tooth will look just like your natural teeth.
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