What Can I Do to Improve My Smile
Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and it plays a key role in how you feel about yourself. A bright, healthy smile can boost your confidence, enhance your appearance, and leave a lasting impression. If you're unhappy with your smile, whether due to discoloration, misalignment, gaps, or damaged teeth, there are numerous dental solutions available to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
At Brookshire Dentistry in Hurst, TX, Dr. Salomeh Tehrani, DDS, MPH, and her team are committed to helping patients improve their smiles with advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments. This guide will walk you through some of the most effective options to enhance your smile, from whitening treatments to more comprehensive solutions like veneers or orthodontic treatments.
Teeth Whitening
One of the simplest and most effective ways to brighten your smile is with professional teeth whitening. Over time, teeth can become stained or discolored due to factors like age, food and drink, smoking, or certain medications. Professional whitening treatments offer a safe, quick, and effective way to lighten your teeth by several shades.
In-Office Whitening
At Brookshire Dentistry, we offer in-office whitening treatments that provide dramatic results in a single visit. Using a powerful whitening gel, Dr. Tehrani can brighten your teeth several shades in under an hour. This method is safe and carefully monitored to avoid sensitivity or gum irritation.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
For patients who prefer a more gradual whitening process, we also provide custom take-home whitening kits. These kits include trays made from molds of your teeth and professional-grade whitening gel. You can achieve excellent results in the comfort of your home by wearing the trays for a few hours each day or overnight for a set period.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a popular and versatile option for improving the appearance of your smile. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are an excellent choice for addressing a wide range of cosmetic concerns, including:
- Discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening treatments
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misaligned or uneven teeth
- Teeth that are too small or worn down
Porcelain veneers, in particular, are highly durable and mimic the translucency and sheen of natural tooth enamel. They can completely transform your smile in just a few appointments. During the veneer process, Dr. Tehrani will remove a small amount of enamel to create space for the veneers and then bond them securely to your teeth.
Clear Aligners (Invisalign)
If your teeth are misaligned or you have bite issues, orthodontic treatment can drastically improve the look and health of your smile. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional braces. They use a series of clear, removable trays to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position.
Benefits of Clear Aligners:
- Virtually Invisible: The aligners are clear and blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, making them almost invisible.
- Removable: You can take the aligners out to eat, drink, brush, and floss, which makes maintaining oral hygiene easier.
- Comfortable: Clear aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth, and they don’t have metal brackets or wires, so they’re generally more comfortable than traditional braces.
- Fast Results: Many patients achieve their desired results within 12 to 18 months.
Invisalign can address a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. During your consultation, Dr. Tehrani will determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and create a customized treatment plan.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a quick and cost-effective way to improve the appearance of minor imperfections in your smile. It involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected teeth and sculpting it into the desired shape before hardening it with a special light. This treatment is ideal for:
- Fixing chips and cracks in teeth
- Covering small gaps between teeth
- Hiding discolored spots or stains
- Improving the shape of irregular teeth
Bonding can typically be completed in a single visit, and it’s a non-invasive option that preserves much of your natural tooth structure.
Dental Crowns
If your teeth are severely damaged or decayed, a dental crown may be the best option for restoring both function and appearance. Crowns are custom-made caps that fit over the entire tooth, protecting it and restoring its shape, size, and strength. Crowns are often used to:
- Restore a tooth after a root canal treatment
- Protect a cracked or weakened tooth from further damage
- Cover a severely discolored or misshapen tooth
- Support a tooth with a large filling
At Brookshire Dentistry, we offer high-quality porcelain crowns that blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth, providing both durability and aesthetic appeal.
Gum Contouring
If you feel that your teeth appear too short or your smile is “gummy,” gum contouring can help. This cosmetic procedure involves reshaping the gum line to create a more balanced, proportionate smile. Excess gum tissue is removed or reshaped to expose more of the tooth’s surface, giving the teeth a longer appearance.
Gum contouring can also improve oral health by reducing pockets where bacteria can accumulate, which may lead to gum disease. The procedure is often done with lasers, making it precise and minimally invasive.
Dental Implants
For patients who are missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer a permanent and natural-looking solution. A dental implant consists of a titanium post that is surgically placed in the jawbone to act as a tooth root, and a custom-made crown is placed on top of the post to complete the restoration.
Dental implants offer several benefits:
- Permanent and Long-Lasting: With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
- Prevent Bone Loss: The titanium post stimulates the jawbone, preventing bone loss that typically occurs when teeth are missing.
- Natural Look and Feel: Implants function just like natural teeth and are virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth.
If you’re looking for a solution to replace missing teeth and restore your smile, dental implants might be the right choice.
Maintaining Your Results
Once you’ve achieved your ideal smile, it’s important to maintain it with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Here are a few tips to keep your smile looking its best:
- Brush and Floss Regularly: Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and prevent decay and gum disease.
- Visit the Dentist Regularly: Schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups at Brookshire Dentistry to catch any potential issues early.
- Limit Staining Foods and Drinks: To keep your teeth bright and white, reduce the consumption of staining substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you grind your teeth at night, a custom mouthguard can protect your teeth from wear and damage.
Conclusion
Improving your smile is a personal and transformative journey. Whether you want to correct minor imperfections or undergo a complete smile makeover, Dr. Salomeh Tehrani and her team at Brookshire Dentistry are here to guide you through every step. With a range of cosmetic and restorative treatments available, we can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
If you’re interested in improving your smile, schedule a consultation at Brookshire Dentistry in Hurst, TX. Dr. Tehrani will assess your needs, discuss your goals, and create a customized treatment plan to give you the beautiful, confident smile you deserve.