Of all the reasons people visit their dentists, only preventative care beats cosmetic treatments. As the access to low-cost cosmetic treatments become available, more patients are opting to take advantage of them each year. In addition to being more affordable, more effective approaches to cosmetic dentistry are available. Even more important is the fact that more conservative treatments are coming onto the market. These treatments don’t involve complicated methods or the removal of any healthy tissue. This means that the appearance of your teeth is improved without impacting the lasting health of your smile.
The Fine Details Of Conservative Cosmetic Care
So what, exactly, is conservative care? Conservative dental treatments improve the overall appearance of our teeth without damaging tissue. This is an important distinction in this approach to cosmetic care. Previous popular methods of addressing aesthetic concerns included various types of veneer. These veneers required various amounts of enamel to be removed from the surface of the teeth. Once your dentist removes this tissue, the veneers will be applied to the newly created space. While incredibly effective, these veneers were invasive, temporary, and had the possibility of causing harm or sensitivity to the treated teeth. There are three common kinds of conservative cosmetic dentistry, none of which require tissue removal.
- Dental Whitening – Teeth whitening has become a trend over the past decade. Its popularity has led to the presence of numerous dental whitening products that can be bought over the counter. Toothpaste, mouthwash, gel strips, and more can all be obtained from your pharmacy. However, your dentist has access to stronger and more effective methods than these commercial brands. Using a high-potency peroxide solution in combination with special lighting, they’re able to improve the shade of your teeth by several steps.
- Clear Aligners – While undoubtedly effective, traditional braces barely skirted the line of being ‘non-invasive.’ These devices were applied to the teeth using special brackets and adhesives and adjusted the teeth with tension applied by special wires. Clear aligners have changed this paradigm. Many orthodontic concerns can be treated using these plastic trays that need only be worn 22 hours out of each day. You can now eat and perform dental hygiene easily by removing them and replacing them afterward.
- Dental Bonding – Dental bonding is a material that is malleable and durable once set. It has the unique ability to be tinted to match the natural color of your teeth. Your dentist can use it to address minor imperfections in alignment, correct chips or cracks, and even close gaps in the teeth. This is all accomplished by applying the compound to the teeth and molding it to match the desired shape.
These three cosmetic dental treatments stand as the most popular approaches to improving the appearance of our smile.
Ask Your Dental Provider About Conservative Dental Options
Your dentist is the best resource for determining which conservative treatments can address your aesthetic dental needs. Schedule a dental appointment with them today to get a consultation.
