6 Common Dental Problems You Can Fix with Cosmetic Dentistry
Is there something about your smile you would like to change?
Are you curious about how you can fix it?
Yes? Then this blog is for you!
Our Gurnee, IL cosmetic dentist, will explain six common dental problems you can fix with cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Bradley Rule will also recommend different ways you can fix those common dental problems, aka smile flaws. You may be surprised to hear the answers!
Want to save money? Check out this deal: We’ll give you $100 toward any of the cosmetic dental treatments we mention below. How? Keep reading, and we’ll tell you!
How to fix common dental problems
1. Stained or discolored teeth
Let’s start with the #1 most common dental problem in cosmetic dentistry: stained or discolored teeth.
Over time, your teeth can become discolored for various reasons like consuming stain-causing foods or drinks, medication, aging, and smoking.
Unfortunately, no matter how well you brush or floss, your teeth can still appear yellow (not an excuse to skip brushing or flossing).
Having a yellow smile can make you look unhealthy and less attractive.
On the contrary, having a white smile can make you look healthy, more attractive, and it can help draw attention away from other smile flaws.
So, how do you fix yellow, stained, and discolored teeth?
Teeth Whitening: Our professional teeth whitening treatment can remove tough stains and whiten your smile up to eight shades lighter. The best part: It only takes 90 minutes, and it is cost-effective!
Helpful tip: To keep your smile white longer: Avoid things that stain your teeth (consult your doctor on medication), brush at least twice a day, and get regular cleanings to remove plaque build-up.
Porcelain Veneers: These thin shells are custom-tinted to your preferred shade of whiteness and permanently placed on the front of your teeth. Keep reading to find out more uses and benefits of porcelain veneers.
2. Irregularly shaped or uneven teeth
Irregularly shaped or uneven teeth can result from several things like genetics and teeth grinding.
This common dental problem can cause or be caused by functional bite issues and TMJ disorder.
Having teeth that are disproportional to your face can make you look older, cause wrinkles, and improperly support your jaw and facial structure.
If this is the case for you, then our cosmetic dentist can examine your smile and bite to find the root cause.
Depending on your case, you may be a candidate for the following cosmetic treatments:
Porcelain Veneers: Veneers can fix not only the appearance of your teeth but also your bite. With custom-designed porcelain veneers by our Gurnee dentist, your bite and jaw can be properly aligned and supported.
Cosmetic Bonding: By adding tooth-colored material to your teeth, Dr. Rule can change the shape, length, width, and so on of your tooth. This treatment is best for minor fixes and completed in one visit.
Recontouring: Some uneven teeth can be quickly fixed by “shaving off” some of the enamel to match the surrounding teeth. This treatment is best for small differences.
3. Cracked or broken teeth
Even if it doesn’t hurt or cause you problems, a cracked or broken tooth is one that should be fixed right away!
Why?
Your tooth is now susceptible to decay, is more likely to crack or break further, and you risk the possibility of losing your tooth completely (whether it naturally comes out or needs extracting).
Luckily, there are a few solutions, and if you act fast, you may be able to restore your tooth (no extraction or root canal needed). Here are Dr. Rule’s recommended options on how to fix a cracked or broke tooth:
Cosmetic Bonding: If the crack or break is minor, you may be able to fill in the impacted area with bonding material. This will restore your tooth’s look and function.
Dental Crowns: If cosmetic bonding isn’t an option, you may be able to preserve your healthy tooth structure with a dental crown. A dental crown is essentially a durable, tooth-colored cap that sits over your tooth and secures it.
Helpful tip: At our dentist’s office in Gurnee, IL, we offer same-day crowns. Using CEREC® technology, we can design, make, and place a new crown under one roof, in one appointment. The whole process takes only 2 hours!
Root Canals: If damage has extended to the inside of your tooth, you may need a rohttps://www.ruledds.com/blog/signs-you-need-a-root-canal-identifying-symptoms-and-seeking-treatment/ot canal to preserve the tooth structure. After a root canal procedure, your dentist will restore your tooth with a dental crown.
Dental Implants: When your tooth is beyond repair, it will need to be extracted. But don’t worry – you don’t have to go toothless. You can replace it with the #1 recommended missing tooth replacement: dental implants. A dental implant will replace your entire tooth from root to crown.
Above are two of Dr. Rule’s cosmetic dentistry patients, Dawn (left) and Shirley (right). Dawn was able to fix her spacing issue and adjust her teeth’s length with porcelain veneers and gum contouring. Shirley suffered trauma to her front teeth after a fall but was able to fix them with composite bonding. For more photos and situations like this, click here!
4. Crooked teeth
Most people want to fix their crooked teeth because they want a beautiful, straight smile.
But another reason is crooked teeth are hard to and keep clean. Not being able to clean your teeth properly can lead to decay, cavities, fillings, root canals, gum disease, and missing teeth.
If you think braces are your only option to fix crooked teeth, then think again. Here are two options we use to fix crooked teeth:
Invisalign®: These clear aligners are a proven way to straighten teeth in a quick, comfortable, and affordable way. Plus you can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
Porcelain Veneers: Depending on the severity of your crooked teeth, you may be able to avoid orthodontics and straighten your smile with veneers. Some patients prefer this because they can make additional changes to their teeth like shape and color.
5. Chipped teeth
Hockey, opening bottles or packages, falling, eating hard foods – you name it, we’ve heard them all.
A chipped tooth is one of the more common dental problems and luckily, one that can be treated in a few ways.
Like most dental problems, the sooner you get your smile checked out, the more options you will have to fix it.
Here are three ways to fix a chipped tooth:
Cosmetic Bonding: Depending on the size and placement of the chip, bonding material can be used to replicate the area of your tooth missing.
Porcelain Veneers: For chips on the front of your teeth, a veneer may be best because it’s more custom and permanent than bonding. A veneer can adhere to the remaining part of your tooth and fill in the chipped area. Veneers tend to last longer than bonding (10 to 20 years), so you may want a veneer if your bonding needs ongoing maintenance.
Dental Crown: For more severe chips or chips on the inner or biting surface of your tooth, a dental crown may be your best option. A dental crown can preserve your healthy tooth structure and keep it safe from additional damage.
6. Gapped teeth
Last but not least, gapped teeth. You may have them naturally, or you may have them from not wearing your retainer.
Gaps of all sizes can cause mayhem for getting food and debris stuck in between your teeth, leading to harmful bacteria infecting your gums and teeth.
Two ways you can close gapped teeth are:
Invisalign®: Depending on your case, you could fix gapped teeth in a few short months with these clear aligners. Day-by-day, these aligners will gradually shift your teeth closer together until you’ve reached your goal. Afterward, you will get a retainer to keep your teeth in their proper position.
Cosmetic Bonding: If you want to avoid orthodontics and have minor gaps, you may be able to fill them with cosmetic bonding.
How to get $100 toward fixing common dental problems
Now, how would you like to save $100+?
We are currently offering a new patient referral special where you AND a friend can get a $100 gift certificate toward your smiles. All you have to do is refer a new patient to us (no limit).
Click here to get our referral card that you can hand to your friends and family.
That’s how you fix common dental problems
As a preferred cosmetic dentist in Gurnee, IL, Dr. Rule wants you to have a smile you LOVE.
If these common dental problems are getting in the way of that (or your oral health), then it’s time to fix it!
Now you know the different ways you can fix your smile flaws – it’s time to find out which one is BEST for you, your smile goals, your timeline, and a big one: your budget.
If you would like to talk with our Gurnee dental team about any of the above treatments, contact us today! We would love to help you love your smile.
- Call us: 847-662-7717
- Email us: info@ruledds.com
