Picking the Best Cosmetic Dentistry Solution

Do you ever see your smile in a mirror or photo and wish your teeth looked different? Maybe you dream of the gap between your two front teeth disappearing, your teeth looking straighter, or your smile just having a whiter, brighter glow. These desires can all become a reality with cosmetic dental care. 

From tooth discoloration to uneven or crooked teeth, there is a cosmetic solution that can transform your smile. Here are the key differences between three of Laurel Manor Dental’s most popular cosmetic dentistry services.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a restorative dental procedure that also provides cosmetic benefits. Crowns completely encapsulate a tooth in a durable shell that mimics the natural color gradient and translucency of the enamel on a real tooth. Several materials are available, but our zirconia crowns are especially strong and beautiful, making them ideal for restorative and cosmetic purposes.

Crowns are ideal for:

• Protecting weak or vulnerable teeth after extensive decay removal or root canal therapy.
• Restoring unstable teeth after removing old fillings, inlays, or onlays.
• Permanently whitening a tooth with severe discoloration or intrinsic stains.
• Covering a misshapen, chipped, or cracked tooth after damage.

Crowns may not be suitable if:

• A tooth has cosmetic imperfections but is otherwise healthy and strong.

Dental crowns are versatile because of their dual functional and aesthetic advantages. They’re best suited for treating teeth with structural damage that can benefit from a cosmetic boost. 

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a very popular cosmetic service synonymous with smile makeovers. Veneers are thin porcelain shells placed over teeth to change their color, shape, and size. In contrast to crowns that entirely encapsulate a tooth, veneers only cover the front surface, changing its appearance but not necessarily the structure.

Veneers are ideal for:

• Giving crooked or gapped teeth a straighter, more balanced appearance without actually moving the teeth.
• Elongating short teeth, especially when coupled with gum contouring, to correct a gummy smile.
• Repairing superficial chips, cracks, or uneven edges of the front teeth.
• Whitening heavily stained or permanently discolored teeth.

Veneers may not be suitable if:

• The teeth have poor bite alignment that can only be reversed with orthodontic care.
• Bruxism or teeth grinding are uncontrolled habits.
• You want to change the appearance of your back teeth (crowns would be preferable).

Veneers are best for changing the appearance of your front teeth, the ones most visible when you smile broadly. They are best suited for teeth that are healthy and don’t require substantial structural support.

Keep in mind that veneers only enhance the appearance of teeth, not their actual alignment. Veneers are only an alternative to orthodontic care in a cosmetic sense.

Laser Whitening

Laser teeth whitening is the most frequently performed cosmetic service, something many people consider a normal part of their annual or biannual smile maintenance. Whitening boosts the brightness of natural tooth enamel and removes most stains or discoloration associated with everyday life, like diet and age. 

Whitening is ideal for:

• Enhancing natural teeth without affecting their shape.
• Removing extrinsic (exterior) tooth discoloration.
• Giving aged, yellowed teeth a more youthful appearance.
• Ensuring natural teeth match the brightness of restorations, like crowns.
• Pre-treating teeth before placing dental restorations or veneers.

Whitening may not be suitable if:

• Stains and discoloration are intrinsic, meaning they are within the tooth itself, perhaps from an injury or excessive fluoridation in childhood.

Laser teeth whitening is far more effective than the store-bought whitening options. This service brightens teeth quickly, gives longer-lasting results, and can be the perfect confidence booster for someone who already loves their smile but wants a little extra oomph.

Remember that dental work, like porcelain veneers or zirconia crowns, do not react to whitening products, so it’s a great idea to always whiten your smile to your desired shade before placing veneers or crowns.

Book a consultation with a cosmetic dentist near The Villages.

Your perfect smile makeover is not limited to just one service. At Laurel Manor, we offer customized treatment plans that include one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures to ensure you get the best results possible.

For example, if you mostly want a bright, white smile but are also not crazy about how your front teeth look, you don’t need to feel stuck deciding between veneers vs. whitening. We can laser whiten your smile first to achieve your perfect shade, then enhance your front teeth with perfectly color-matched porcelain veneers.

Start your journey today by scheduling a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Rozensky, a talented general and cosmetic dentist near The Villages. Book your visit today and find out how we can transform your smile and self-confidence.