6 COMMON DENTAL PROCEDURES

Happy National Smile Month! National Smile Month is a campaign the champions for good oral health practices. The organization’s 3 key messages are: brush your teeth last thing at night and at one time during the day, cut down on sugar consumption, and visit your dentist as often as they recommend.

It’s known that people often feel insecure about their smile, so they just smile less. Some people even cover their mouths when they laugh. In fact, 57% of Americans are insecure about their teeth. It doesn’t have to be that way! Here are 6 common cosmetic dental procedures can help you.

1. Teeth Whitening
Discolored teeth are a common problem amongst coffee, tea, and wine lovers. These drinks often stain the enamel and cause the discoloration. You can fix discolored teeth with over-the-counter whitening strips or an in-office visit to your dentist for a professional whitening session.

2. Invisalign Braces
Invisalign braces and those like it have the ability to correct gapped teeth, crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites, as long as they are not too severe. These types of braces are more suited for older teenagers and adults. The average treatment time is 12 months with aligners being replaced every 2 weeks.

3. Veneers
Another solution for teeth whitening is veneers. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) defines a veneer as a thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.

4. Bonding
A tooth bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that is used to repair decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored teeth. For veneers, patients must get a custom fitted mold which is then sent out to be manufactured. A bonding does not require a custom fit and can be done in a single visit to your dentist. In general, veneers are a more permanent solution. Although, a bonding is one of the least expensive of cosmetic dental services.

5. Implants
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. The implants are metal frames that are surgically stationed into the jawbones. With these posts, dentists can mount the replacement tooth and replace it if it ever gets damaged. Dental implants are quite common, somewhere around 3 million people in the US have dental implants.

6. Traditional Bridges
Dental bridges are also used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are used when there are teeth on both sides of the gap. The “bridge” of teeth is held together by dental crowns on the adjacent teeth. Dental bridges and implants are very common. On average, by age 50, a person has lost nearly 12 teeth (which includes wisdom teeth).

Schedule a Cosmetic Dental Appointment
Lee Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Oxford, MS is your one-stop shop for all your dental needs! If you are looking for a cosmetic dental consultation or solutions please feel free to stop by or schedule an appointment here. You can also give us a call at (662) 546-1143. Hope to see you soon!

But most importantly, in honor of National Smile Month, don’t forget to brush twice a day, cut down on sugar, and go see your dentist!