Cosmetic dentistry is about making positive changes to your smile. If your teeth are not as white as you would like, then our dentist at Shore Drive Dental can give you a professional whitening treatment that can brighten your smile by several shades. If you have missing teeth, then our dentist might recommend dental implants or bridges for teeth replacements. If there are gaps between teeth, our cosmetic dentist might suggest orthodontic procedures like braces or Invisalign aligners. 

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can help you fix several different cosmetic flaws. If your teeth are yellowed or stained, the porcelain shells that cover them can brighten your smile. Teeth that are chipped, cracked, irregularly shaped, or misaligned can be covered by porcelain. Once they're in place, you can brush and floss your teeth just as you would with your natural teeth.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can fix small defects in your smile, such as gaps between teeth or chips. The dentist will use a composite resin material, the same material used in tooth-colored fillings, to sculpt the tooth and hide the flaw. The material is bonded to the tooth with a curing light. Once the material is cured, the dentist will smooth and polish the surface until it's even with the rest of the tooth. Then, it's time to reveal your new smile to the world! 

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening treatments are available both in-office and at home. Both methods are extremely effective in removing stubborn stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, and more. Dentist-supervised patients experience faster and more dramatic results because your dentist has access to professional-strength whitening gels not available in stores. While at-home treatments work well for many people, others may need multiple treatments to see a noticeable difference. If you prefer to whiten at home, make sure you follow the directions included with your kit closely.

Dental Implants

When one or more of your teeth are missing, it can take a toll on more than just your smile. It can make you self-conscious about your appearance, cause difficulty eating, and lead to bone loss in the jaw. Dental implants are small, screw-shaped posts made of biocompatible materials. The implant is implanted into your jawbone during a minor surgical procedure that takes place under local anesthesia or sedation, depending on the patient's preference and the extent of the work being done. Once the post has fused to the bone—a process called osseointegration—it can serve as a sturdy anchor for the placement of a dental crown.

Dental Implants are an excellent option for patients of all ages who are in good oral and overall health. They can be especially beneficial if you're missing teeth due to an accident or injury that left a gap in the smile.

Tooth Contouring

If you have one or more teeth that are oddly shaped, we can use a tooth contouring procedure to reshape them and give you a smile that is more even and attractive. 

The Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry

Maintain Dental Health

Many cosmetic dental procedures maintain the health of your mouth. For example, a process like porcelain veneers can improve your teeth' alignment and protect your teeth' surface from damage. During a bonding session, your dentist will apply resin to the surface of teeth to repair minor chips and cracks and improve the appearance of misshapen enamel.

Restore Your Smile’s Youthful Appearance

As you age, your face changes shape, and your teeth also shift position. A youthful appearance can be maintained through cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening, for example, can restore the brightness of your smile and make you look younger. You can also replace missing teeth with dental implants, which act like natural teeth and keep the jawbone strong and healthy.

Replace Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can negatively affect the way your smile looks and functions. They throw off the balance of your bite, which can, in turn, lead to headaches and other painful symptoms like TMJ disorder. For people missing several or all of their natural teeth, their speech may even be affected! Thankfully, there are many options available for replacing your missing teeth.

Dental implants are a permanent solution to replace missing teeth. These titanium posts are surgically implanted into the jawbone, where they act as your tooth root, providing a stable foundation for a beautiful restoration. A dental implant-supported dental crown is custom-designed to match your smile and blend right in with the rest of your teeth and jaw structure. 

Many cosmetic dental procedures can help boost your self-confidence and make you feel better about your appearance. Get in touch with Shore Drive Dental at 4417A Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, or call (757) 460-1939 to learn more about cosmetic dentistry.