One of the most common misconceptions about cosmetic dentistry is that elective treatments are purely aesthetic. On the flipside is the assumption that routine dental exams and preventive care benefit oral health but have no impact on appearance. Dr. Todd Pizzi, a cosmetic dentist in Shrewsbury, MA, encourages patients to think of preventive and cosmetic treatment as complements that play off each other to achieve the healthiest, most beautiful results.
Preventive Care: The Foundation of Your Smile
No two patients have exactly the same smile because so many factors are at play, including the balance and alignment of their natural bite, and the color, size, and shape of their teeth. Some make lifestyle and diet choices that harm their teeth and gums; others have a genetic predisposition to periodontal disease, darkened tooth enamel, and other oral health concerns. Age, medical conditions, and personal hygiene also determine the appearance of one’s smile. It’s not uncommon to see patients with radically different smiles despite following a nearly identical approach to hygiene and preventive care. We all know someone who, despite a lack of effort on their part, somehow manages to pull off a perfectly polished, healthy smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry: The Finishing Touches
For the rest of us, it’s good to know what options are available. Our office provides services designed to achieve the healthiest, most attractive results:
For broken, chipped, or worn-down teeth, you have several options. Bonding and porcelain veneers mask these problems as well as cosmetic defects such as resilient stains, discoloration, gaps, and minor crookedness in teeth. Teeth that have sustained more severe damage benefit from tooth-colored crowns.
Yellow and brown stains are an unfortunate side effect of drinking coffee, using tobacco, or neglecting your hygiene. When over-the-counter whitening products are ineffectual, the Kor Deep Bleaching System combines in-office and home whitening methods to produce dramatic results.
Slightly to moderately crooked teeth can be coaxed into place using one of several alternatives to traditional metal braces. Invisible braces (ClearCorrect and Invisalign) use virtually invisible plastic aligners to straighten teeth, often in one year or less. For faster results, Six Month Smiles delivers incredible straightening power with subtle, tooth-colored wires and clear brackets – no more metal mouth!
Protect and Perfect Your Smile
While cosmetic dental treatments can achieve improvements rating anywhere from subtle to jaw-dropping, there is no single procedure as effective at protecting your new smile as a commitment to preventive care. Porcelain veneers, while stain-resistant, cannot protect teeth against cavities. Teeth whitening may lift stains from the surface of your tooth enamel, but it can’t prevent or treat periodontal disease caused by plaque buildup.
Questions for your Shrewsbury, MA cosmetic dentist? To learn more about our preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact us at (508) 842-8838. We welcome patients living in Shrewsbury, Boylston, Hopkinton, North and South Grafton, and the surrounding communities.
