Everyone wants a beautiful smile that they can be proud of. If you have flaws in your teeth, you might try to hide your grin or avoid talking too much to prevent others from seeing them. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with imperfections forever! Your dentist can enhance your appearance with a variety of cosmetic services.
If you’re considering treatment, it’s important to know what to expect so you’re not taken by surprise. One of the first questions many patients ask is how long they should expect their results to last. Keep reading to learn about 3 popular procedures and their longevity to decide what works best for you!
Option #1: Teeth Whitening
Our teeth are one of the first things other people notice about us, and if yours looks dark and dingy, it’s considered unattractive by many. After years of eating and drinking foods that stain, your chompers aren’t as sparkly as they once were. Thankfully, one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of your smile is with a whitening procedure.
Commercially available products can cause tooth sensitivity, but your dentist uses professional-grade solutions that can safely lighten your pearly whites by up to 10 shades in a single in-office visit. If that doesn’t suit you, they can provide a take-home kit so you can get the same results from the comfort of your own home. Your teeth will remain their whiter hue for 6 months to 3 years and can be maintained by brushing and flossing twice daily.
Option #2: Veneers
Some discoloration originates inside your tooth and can’t be remedied with bleach. If you have tinted, chipped, cracked, or slightly misaligned teeth, then veneers may be just what you need. These thin shells are made of durable porcelain and are attached to the front surface of your pearly whites to mask imperfections. They’re color-matched to your natural grin so no one can tell just by looking that they’re there.
For veneers to line up properly against your gums, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel. This doesn’t regenerate which means the alteration is irreversible. Your teeth will be slightly weaker, but veneers are resilient enough to safeguard them from potential damage down the road. Plus, they can last 10+ years if cared for properly, making this an excellent long-term improvement.
Option #3: Clear Aligners
Although we tend to think of our teeth as immovable structures in our mouths, the truth is that they continue to shift over time. The frequent pressure exerted over the years can eventually push them out of alignment.
Clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional braces that can straighten your smile. Instead of metal brackets, they consist of transparent plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to gently move them to their ideal placements. Typically, it takes about a year to complete but the results can potentially last the rest of your life. Keep in mind that you may need to wear a retainer to prevent anything from reverting to its previous position.
Now that you know more about a few trending treatments and what to expect, you and your dentist can take the next steps toward perfecting your grin!
About the Author
Dr. Vincent Lam takes pride in providing patients in Burien, WA with a full array of top-tier dental services to improve their oral health and appearance. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and his Master of Science in Biology from the University of California. From there, he pursued his dental doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia. Today, he’s currently undergoing the John Kois curriculum for comprehensive dentistry to hone his skills and abilities. He uses state-of-the-art technology to offer a variety of cosmetic treatments for flawless teeth. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (206) 589-8556.