![Smiling dentist examines woman.](https://www.goodlettsvillesmiles.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AdobeStock_143136453__1692032966_22913.jpg)
People are protective of their teeth, and for good reason. Chewing is necessary for enjoying many of our favorite meals and smiling is a key element of interpersonal communication. It only makes sense that you would be cautious about what is done to your teeth and who gets to do it.
Some people want to improve their smiles but question the safety of cosmetic dental treatments. Luckily, these procedures are routine and well-understood by any dentist qualified to perform them. Read on to find out how safe cosmetic dentistry really is and some of the treatments offered by your trusted dentist.
What Safety Measures Are in Place?
Not every treatment is right for everyone. A consultation with your dentist will come before any cosmetic dental procedure. After a thorough examination, your dentist can determine whether you would make a good candidate for a cosmetic treatment. This ensures that people don’t receive a procedure that would be detrimental to their health.
More recently, dentists have taken rigorous measures to protect patients from COVID-19. Some practices have even taken to testing patients for the virus.
What Cosmetic Dental Procedures Are Available?
Porcelain veneers can fix almost any flaw in your smile. They can alter the size, shape, and color of teeth to cover up gaps, cracks, chips, and stains. These veneers are thin porcelain shells designed to be bonded to the surface of the teeth, creating a movie star smile in as little as two appointments. With proper maintenance, the results can last for more than two decades.
At-home teeth whitening can clear up stubborn coffee, wine, or tobacco stains. While many stores offer over-the-counter whitening kits, those you can get from the dentist have superior results because they are tailored to patients’ mouths. It takes just a week or two to have a smile at least six to eight shades whiter.
Dental bonding is a quick and efficient solution to minor chips and cracks. The dentist applies a composite resin to the tooth and then shapes it to cover up imperfections. The entirely painless procedure lasts about an hour.
How Else Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help Me?
In addition to the safety of cosmetic dental treatments, restoring your teeth can be beneficial to your overall health in the long run. Veneers or dental bonding can protect damaged parts of the teeth from getting worse. Since chewing is the first stage of digestion, an improved bite can help gastronomic health overall. It can even expand a patient’s diet by allowing the chewing of foods that had been inedible before. A wider variety of foods can be of great benefit to one’s nutritional intake.
About the Author
Dr. Deidra Harrison-McClain earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the top of her class at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She went on to complete her residency at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. She leads the team at Goodlettsville Smiles to greater heights of care and compassion. Her office provides cosmetic services including porcelain veneers, direct bonding, and at-home teeth whitening. For more information on cosmetic dentistry, contact her online or dial (615) 819-1644.