November is finally here, which means the holiday season is in full swing. Before you know it, your calendar will start filling up with work parties and gatherings with friends and family. One thing all these events have in common is that someone will undoubtedly take pictures. If you’re self-conscious of your smile, it can make you dread the holidays for this reason. Fortunately, your dentist is here to help. Keep reading to learn 3 ways that cosmetic dentistry in Columbia can help revitalize your smile just in time for the holidays.
1. Porcelain Veneers
Do you have so many dental imperfections that you wish you could just press the reset button on your smile? If so, then veneers may be the perfect option for you. These super-thin shells of dental porcelain are permanently bonded to the front-facing surfaces of your teeth to conceal all kinds of smile flaws. A tiny sliver of enamel must be removed from your tooth to ensure the veneers lay flat against your smile line, but it will be well worth it to have a beautiful smile that lasts up to a decade or even longer with very little maintenance. Simply brush and floss your teeth as normal, and be sure to visit your dentist in Columbia every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
2. Dental Bonding
Maybe you have several imperfections in your smile, but you don’t want to spring for porcelain veneers. In that case, you may be a good candidate for dental bonding. Your dentist can use a composite resin (the same material used in tooth-colored fillings) to alter your tooth’s size, shape, and even color. Whether you have chips, cracks, stains, or gaps, direct bonding is a quick way to get the smile you want just in time for the holidays.
3. Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Has a love of wine, coffee, or tea stained your smile beyond what over-the-counter whitening kits can cure? Then look no further than professional at-home teeth whitening from your dentist. They can affix you with personalized trays that fit snugly over your teeth. You’ll be instructed to wear these trays along with a prescribed bleaching gel that is much more potent than anything you can find at the drugstore. Simply wear these two items together for a certain amount of time each day, and your smile should be several shades whiter in just a few days!
Now that you know a few of your options, have you scheduled a consultation with your cosmetic dentist? They can help determine which of the procedures listed above is the best way for you to get a picture-perfect smile this holiday season.
About the Author
Dr. Victor Beck, Jr. graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1973 from the University of Tennessee. For the past four decades, he has been serving the Columbia, TN community. As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry as well as the Tennessee Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, he has a passion for helping patients smile brighter. To learn more about which cosmetic procedures are right for you, you can contact Dr. Beck’s office at (931) 388-8452.