It really is a great day and age when what once was unheard of in the medical or dental fields is now not only common but safe and accessible for nearly everyone. As little as 20-30 years ago, whitening and straightening teeth were not only much more costly, but it was also more difficult and painful. Today, whitening your teeth can be as quick as one single dental visit – and straightening your teeth can literally be invisible!
Opting for a More Beautiful Smile
Now that dental technology has advanced to this point, many people are taking advantage of it. Here are just a few of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments.
Whitening
Back in the early 2000s and prior, whitening your teeth was usually in the form of whitening strips, trays, toothpaste, or more recently, whitening lights. These options were easily purchased over-the-counter at most drugstores. While it may have seemed easy to get a bright, white smile, these methods were and are extremely unsafe.
Because of the ingredients in these over-the-counter whitening treatments, you may have gotten whiter teeth but at the cost of ruining your enamel, something that can never be replaced. Not only do drugstore whitening treatments damage the enamel of your teeth, but ingesting the ingredients is toxic and can make you sick.
Now, whiter teeth can be achieved in as little as one appointment at your dentist. Professionally whitening your teeth is a safe way to get the bright smile you have always dreamed about – and bonus, you get a thorough cleaning and exam at the same time.
Braces or Invisalign
If you grew up in the 80s, and even 90s, getting braces was an expensive way to correct overbites, crossbites, and incredibly crooked teeth. Traditional braces were not typically a cosmetic option, but a dental necessity to help improve speech, eating, and even overall jaw comfort.
Today, more and more people are choosing braces in the form of Invisalign to get a straight, beautiful smile. While some are doing it out of necessity, more than 6 million American adults currently use Invisalign as a way to discreetly straighten their teeth for a more beautiful smile.
Even traditional metal braces are popular for teenagers once again, as dental relaxation options (such as sedation) and advancements in orthodontics have made this a cost-effective and relatively painless option. Just over 80% of American teenagers will have traditional braces before the age of 19.
Veneers
A very popular choice for anyone looking at improving their smile, veneers offer a way to completely alter the color, size, and shape of your existing natural teeth. Veneers, which are just sheets of porcelain or resin, adhere directly to the surface of your natural teeth, which strengthens them and gives patients a beautiful new smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Colorado Springs
If you are thinking about altering your smile with cosmetic dentistry, our team at Woodmen Dental Group would be happy to talk with you about your options. Schedule an appointment today and you are one step closer to the smile of your dreams!