If your teeth have suffered damage due to gum disease, injury or from not being able to visit the dentist as often as you should have, you shouldn't have to pay the price any longer. Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery have made several advancements that make it easier to access quality cosmetic surgery for your teeth. Because your teeth are the first thing many people see when they look at you, your smile is the main focal point of your face. Here are some ways a dental professional can help you reinvent your smile.

Tooth Colored Fillings Until recently, the standard filling for most teeth was amalgam, which contain traces of mercury. The silver filling helps to seal up places where a cavity has begun to eat away at your tooth enamel. If you have several of these, it can cause your mouth to appear darker, and the silver can make your teeth look less attractive. Using fillings made from quartz, glass, porcelain or resin can help improve your smile because the fillings become unnoticeable from a distance. They are white or contain blended resin to closely match the existing color of your teeth. 

Veneers

If you have teeth that are missing or have significant gaps or spaces between each other, your smile can be affected. You can restore your smile with porcelain or resin veneers. A veneer is placed over the top of your existing teeth in the form of a shell layer. This appears to look and work just like a real tooth. They are a durable alternative to expensive resin fillers and cosmetic work needed to repair a broken or cracked tooth.

Implants

Dental implants can help return your self confidence as you deliver a full smile with beautiful teeth. Implants are used if you suffer from advanced stages of gum disease or you have lost several teeth due to an accident or neglect. Your original teeth and their roots are completely removed. From there, an oral surgeon will carefully measure your mouth to get the exact fit of the teeth being replaced. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are two types of dental implants:

• Subperiosteal- Implants placed on top of the jaw.
• Endosteal- Implants using cylinders or screws placed inside of the jaw to support the implant.

Depending on the amount of bone support you have in your jaw, your oral surgeon will inform you of the best option.

Dental Whitening

Teeth that are off-white, gray or yellow, can really make it challenging for you to give a full smile when you see someone. Over the years, teeth can become discolored due to several things such as:

• Gum disease
• Cavities
• Eating and drinking certain foods
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Lack of routine oral hygiene

Having dental whitening services done professionally can help restore and rejuvenate your smile. Your dentist can perform a tooth whitening procedure using a highly concentrated bleaching gel that yields immediate results.

Using one or several methods of teeth repair and color enhancement can help boost your smile and your overall self confidence. 

For more information, contact Kyle J Frisinger DMD or a similar dental professional.