Although seemingly everyone wishes they had a perfectly flawless smile, very few people come by one naturally. If your teeth are stained, chipped, cracked, or crooked, you could start to feel so self-conscious that you avoid eating, speaking, or smiling with others. Fortunately, your dentist offers a variety of services that can enhance your appearance so you can look and feel your best.
However, many patients hesitate to undergo these elective procedures because they have a false understanding of what’s involved. If you’ve avoided upgrading your grin, keep reading to learn about 3 common myths about cosmetic dentistry and why you can set your fears aside!
Myth #1: It’s Purely Aesthetic
Many people avoid cosmetic treatments because they don’t feel they’ll contribute to their oral well-being in the long run. It’s easy to view these options as superfluous, but although cosmetic dental services are indeed intended to enhance your appearance, they can also contribute to dental health.
For example, veneers are customized prosthetics made of durable porcelain that can mask several visible imperfections, such as blemishes, minor breaks, discoloration, or slight gaps in your teeth. That’s not all that they do, though. They’re coated with a glaze that is resilient enough to resist additional chips and stains and are strong enough to shield the underlying tooth from further harm. That makes them both a beautiful and functional addition to your grin.
Myth #2: It’s Invasive
Did you know that an estimated 36% of the American population experiences anxiety over dental visits? It’s easy to assume that any work that drastically improves your smile’s appearance must be long and agonizing by nature.
Thankfully, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, that’s not usually true! Most available services are minimally invasive, so there’s nothing to worry about. That said, a local anesthetic will be applied if you’re undergoing a procedure requiring more extensive preparation, like removing a small amount of enamel for veneers to fit correctly. This ensures you remain relaxed and don’t feel discomfort during your procedure. Other options, like teeth whitening, don’t require this precaution because they’re topical and don’t cause any pain.
Myth #3: The Results Look Tacky
Certain dental repairs, such as cavity fillings, crowns, and other restorations, were made with amalgam metal in the past. Although incredibly durable, this dark material could draw unwanted attention to your smile for the wrong reasons. It catches the light easily and can leave your pearly whites looking gray or decayed.
Today, your dentist can replace metallic dental work with tooth-colored materials to instantly upgrade your grin. Using color-matched composite resin, they can provide lifelike restorations that can last 10+ years with the proper care for seamless results.
Now that you know more about cosmetic dentistry, you can see there’s no reason to delay. Contact your dentist for a consultation today, and soon, you can have the flawless smile you’ve always dreamed of!
About the Practice
At Bell Road Dental Care of Phoenix, you benefit from a team of dentists who work together to offer a wide range of services, including cosmetic dentistry. They’re experienced in working with patients of all ages, so you and your family can all receive comprehensive care conveniently under one roof. They combine a personable approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while increasing the accuracy of their results. If you’d like to enhance your appearance, you can request a consultation on the website or call (602) 404-3483.