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It’s the first season of a new decade. Who doesn’t want to put their best smile forward in 2020? If you aren’t happy with your smile, whether it’s due to crooked or stained teeth, there are a number of options to choose from. Our team at Midlothian Dental Center can help you choose the right one for you!By using state-of-the-art technology, combined with our team’s years of smile experience, we can help you achieve the pearly whites you’ve always wanted.Here are the Top 4 Cosmetic Dentistry Options:#1 Porcelain VeneersWhat are they?Veneers are a thin, custom made translucent layer of porcelain or composite that fits permanently over your existing teeth.Are they a right fit for me?Veneers are great for anyone looking to correct crooked teeth, gaps, cracked or chipped teeth, stained teeth, and even poorly shaped or sized teeth.What’s the process like?During your consultation, your dentist here at Midlothian will discuss the desired end result and examine your teeth to make sure veneers are the best option for you. If the decision is made to move forward, you will have x-rays and impressions made of your teeth. Before the impressions can be taken, a local anesthetic will be applied, and ½ millimeter of enamel will be removed from each tooth. The impressions will then be sent off to a lab to create your porcelain veneers.At your next appointment, we’ll carefully examine the veneers to make sure they are perfect size, shape and color for you. A special cement is used to bond the veneer to your tooth, and after all veneers are placed, the dentist will use a special light to cure the cement. Then voila, your new pearly whites are shining bright!How long do porcelain veneers last?When applied properly and with proper care, your veneers should last for 15-30 years. Make sure to brush, floss and care for your veneers as you would your natural teeth. Our porcelain veneers come with a 5 Year Guarantee.#2 Teeth WhiteningDo you want to know the secret to looking younger, instantly? It isn’t the latest overnight face cream. It’s teeth whitening! Because our teeth naturally darken over time (not to mention the sodas and coffee), stained teeth can make you look a lot older than you are. This might make you want to hide your smile, and in 2020 we want you to smile like it’s your full time job.While there are lots of over-the-counter options, none of them provide the long-term results you’re looking for when you want to transform your smile.We use ZOOM!® Whitening to dramatically whiten our patients teeth in about two hours. We’ll apply bleaching gel to your teeth, and then re-apply in three 15-minute sessions. During this treatment, we use a low-heat Zoom! Light which activates the gel and gets down deep to lift those stains. At the end of the hour, your teeth can be up to eight shades whiter.Isn’t that something to smile about?#3 Invisalign®Do you find yourself hiding at the back of group pictures because you don’t want to show your crooked or misaligned teeth? Are traditional style braces off the table for you? Invisalign® can straighten your teeth using clear removable aligners that still allow you to eat, brush and floss normally.These aligners are comfortable, invisible, and removable - a popular choice for so many of our patients looking to straighten their teeth this year. If Invisalign® is something you’re interested in, you’ll meet with your dentist here at Midlothian Dental Center. Once the treatment plan is approved and created, your custom aligners will be made using the latest in 3-D technology. You’ll wear each set of aligners for two weeks, and they will need to be worn at all times except for when you’re eating, drinking or cleaning your teeth.#4 Dental BondingDental bonding is a composite resin that is applied directly to your teeth to fix chips, discoloration or damaged teeth. It’s shaped and polished by your dentist to closely match your natural teeth. It’s different from Veneers in the sense that nothing is sent off to a lab for a “mold.” Bonding can be applied the same day, and is one of the easiest and more affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures available.Fun Fact: Most patients don’t even need anesthesia because the procedure is so simple!Now that we’ve provided you with a ton of information on the latest cosmetic dental procedures, you might still be wondering which one is right for you. The first step to finding out and smiling more confidently is making an appointment. Call us today (804) 794-4588.
