Non-Invasive Cosmetic Dental Services Available at General Practices

Curious about your options for cosmetic dental services? Read on to learn more. General dentists can often offer non-invasive cosmetic dental services for patients who want to improve their smiles. While more advanced surgical techniques, such as gum contouring, are the purview of full-time cosmetic dentists, your general dentist has plenty of tools for adjusting the look of your smile without complex procedures.

If you have been feeling self-conscious about your mouth, your dentist likely has options to help you improve your smile. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Cosmetic dental services that general dentists can provide

Every general dentist’s expertise differs, but it is common for a few basic cosmetic dental services to be available in almost every office. These include:

Teeth whitening

The number one most popular cosmetic dental service is teeth whitening. A dentist can take multiple approaches to this process depending on the patient’s goals, budget, and desired timeline.

In-office whitening using light or lasers is the fastest route, as it can whiten teeth by multiple shades in a single session. However, it is more expensive than other options, and some patients do not like the temporary tooth sensitivity they may experience while the peroxide solution sits on the teeth.

At-home whitening is another choice, but make no mistake — a dentist’s at-home whitening kit is much different than what patients can find at the store. These custom-fitted trays are made specifically for your teeth, so they apply the whitening solution more evenly. The solution itself is also more potent than what is available over the counter.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is the process of reshaping or fixing teeth using a tooth-like material (usually composite resin). Bonding is one option for addressing minor gaps in teeth, changing a tooth’s shape, or making it appear longer or more symmetrical.

General dentists tend to be good at dental bonding because it uses the same set of skills as filling cavities. Patients can even use bonding to repair tooth issues, achieving an aesthetic change and a functional benefit at the same time.

Veneers

Some dentists offer veneers, or “covers” for the fronts of the teeth. If you have stains that do not respond to whitening or other blemishes on the front of your teeth, veneers function as shells that provide a more aesthetically pleasing finish.

Retainers

General dentists may not manage the process of orthodontic treatment, but they can offer cosmetic assistance afterward. When patients have finally achieved the smile they wanted, a general dentist can help them manage their retainer (especially a lingual retainer) so they can keep the cosmetic changes they worked hard to earn.