While some of us might think of a trip to the dentist with positive anticipation, many of us cringe at the thought of laying in the chair. The dentist is usually the place of drills and noises and tools that you would never want anywhere near your mouth; the dreaded news of needing a filling (or something more significant) is nothing short of anxiety-inducing.
However, there are so many other options for dental work that can do so much to improve your smile—a stark contrast to the usual dental work we think of that can often cause a grimace. Our cosmetic dentistry services in Alexandria provide so many opportunities to enhance your smile, and in today’s blog, we’ll address some of the possible treatments you can partake in at our dental clinic. Take a look at some cosmetic dentistry options, and schedule your visit with Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio today!
Cosmetic Dentistry: An Overview
Cosmetic dentistry is known as a way to improve the overall aesthetic and appeal of your smile, and many people seek out cosmetic dentistry as a way to improve their confidence in their grin. Yet cosmetic dentistry actually transcends the visual appeal, because improving the alignment of your teeth can serve as a preventative and/or corrective approach to any dental health concerns. When our teeth are chipped, damaged, or crooked, this can lead to any number of dental problems, such as overcompensation of certain parts of the jaw, headaches, and more.
For a smile you’ll love and overall dental health that will make you smile, cosmetic dentistry is an excellent opportunity for you to achieve both of these goals.
Teeth Whitening
You’ve probably seen those kits in the grocery store that seem to promise a fast way to a brighter and whiter smile, but a visit to our dental clinic can provide you with so much more. As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, our in-office teeth whitening services can whiten your teeth up to eight shades in just an hour! For a mere hour of your time, you’ll get the professional teeth whitening that will lead to a dazzling smile. Whereas leaving the dentist can sometimes result in a numbed mouth and/or chipmunk cheeks, this cosmetic dentistry option will have you grinning on your way out the door.
If you’d rather not wait at the dentist, but want the effects of teeth whitening in your own home, you can set up for a brief appointment at our dental clinic to begin the process of at-home teeth whitening. The benefit to this is potentially getting to whiten your teeth while hanging out at home, but the results are not nearly as immediate as our in-clinic process. That being said, patients can still expect to see a whiter smile within a few weeks.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a thin and translucent ceramic material that essentially cover your existing teeth. This can be a great option for fixing gaps, or repairing teeth that are broken or chipped. The latest technology in porcelain veneers allows for stain-resistant surfaces, with durability that lasts for years. Veneers are an excellent option in cosmetic dentistry—stop by our clinic today to get started!
Lumineers®
Known as a less-intensive process than porcelain veneers, Lumineers are very similar to veneers, without lasting as long. The benefit from Lumineers is that the process itself is shorter; the downside is the results last for a shorter amount of time as well.
Functional Orthodontics
The word “braces” often brings about painful memories of teenage years, where a mouth full of metal seemed to coincide with the awkward growing pains and the middle school dances and everything else we’d rather not revisit. Yet a trip to the orthodontist does not need to result in trying to hide your metal for the next three or four years. Our cosmetic dentistry services offer functional orthodontics, which provide more discreet solutions to a straighter smile. This can not only improve the overall aesthetic of your already-fabulous grin, but can relieve or prevent many dental health concerns. Functional orthodontics can also fix an overbite or an underbite, which—left untreated—can cause headaches, strain on the temporomandibular joints, and more.
Here are some of the options our Alexandria cosmetic dentistry practice offers:
- Invisalign®: These “invisible braces” are a translucent corrective cover that fits over your teeth. Many proponents of Invisalign discuss that it can work at correcting your teeth’s alignment faster than metal braces, and is virtually unnoticeable. Dr. Mazhari can get you set up with the Invisalign treatment you need—stop in for a free consultation today!
- Snap On Smile®: For people who have some pretty significant dental anxiety, but want to see an improved smile, Snap On Smile is a great cosmetic dentistry choice for you. This is one of the least invasive procedures to bringing about a smile you could, well, simply smile about. A few visits to Dr. Mazhari and you can expect your Snap On Smile to be ready in 2-3 weeks. Call today to get the results you’re looking for, sans drilling, anesthesia, or discomfort.
No matter which cosmetic dentistry option you’re looking for, you can find the service that’s best for you at Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio. Cosmetic dentistry not only improves how you feel about your smile, it can improve your overall dental health as well. Call our clinic to get started with dentist Dr. Mazhari today!