Issue Date: February 18, 2007
Braces. Bleaching. Veneers. Before getting cosmetic dental work, here's what you need to know about ...
Brightening your smile
Do your homework on the options.
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Adults today are eager to look and feel young, and as part of that, more are turning to cosmetic dentistry. Procedures run the gamut and include bleaching, braces and veneers. If you're interested in brightening your smile, it's important to do your homework to ensure that you get what you want.
In the past, aesthetic dental interventions were limited. Take braces, for example. Anyone old enough to remember disco knows how involved it was to get them. Each braced tooth had to be wrapped with an uncomfortable metal band, and of course, there were visits to the orthodontist for adjustments. But today's advances enable crooked teeth to be realigned more comfortably and less noticeably. It's no wonder that kids and adults now fill orthodontists' waiting rooms.
Although we hear a lot about bleaching nowadays, it actually has been around for decades. But, as with bracing, technology has simplified things. What used to require visits to the dentist now can be done at home. An appropriately fitted "tray" is made at the dentist's office. At home, the tray is laced with a bleaching agent and worn for minutes to hours at a time, depending on the strength of the bleach. The process is repeated daily for the prescribed duration to lighten teeth by several shades.
For those whose teeth are worn down from grinding or chewing, misshapen, or too dark for bleaching alone, veneers are an option. These are thin coverings made of resin or porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth to reshape and recolor the surface.
Such aesthetic procedures often require a multidisciplinary approach, with coordination of efforts between general dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons. If you think that one of them may be right for you, do your homework and talk to a dentist. A good place to get information is from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry at aacd.com, which can provide you with the name of a cosmetic dentist in your area. But be sure to talk to your personal dentist, too. Think of him like your family doctor -- someone who can "quarterback" your cosmetic dental care. He knows your dental situation -- your health, your needs and what might work best to achieve your goals -- better than anyone else does. With the right professional team, you'll be ready to get that winning smile.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and medical directorof Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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