I’d Like a Prettier Smile; Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?

Millions of people have achieved prettier smiles through cosmetic dentistry, and you probably know at least a few people who have received dental procedures designed to beautify their grins. However, it’s understandable that you may be hesitant to commit to an elective dental treatment if you aren’t sure that the process will be comfortable. Here’s a brief guide to a few popular cosmetic treatments as well as what your dentist will do to ensure that your procedure is safe and painless.

Direct Bonding Is Quick, Comfortable, and Effective

If you have minor chips, cracks, stains, or gaps in your teeth, direct bonding may be a quick, easy, and affordable way to repair your teeth and enhance your smile. To perform this procedure, your dentist will apply a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to the dental flaw being treated, shape the putty-like substance so it matches the curves of your smile, and harden it with a specialized light to create a beautiful and durable restoration.

This procedure is particularly notable for its ability to be completed painlessly in minutes during a routine dental appointment without anesthesia. Most patients will not experience any discomfort during this procedure, and they will be perfectly able to drive themselves home or back to work afterward.

Teeth Bonding Is a Non-Invasive Way to Put a New Shine on Your Smile

Many store-bought products claim to help whiten teeth, but these can lead to lackluster results or even oral injuries due to ineffective whitening agents or user error. Thankfully, your dentist can perform an in-office teeth whitening procedure using customized dental trays and professional-grade whitening gel. This procedure takes about an hour to complete, and it can leave your smile up to eight shades whiter.

While professional teeth whitening treatments should cause no pain, you may experience some dental sensitivity for a few days afterward. You can minimize this while avoiding new stains by enjoying a mild diet of soft, lukewarm, non-colored, and non-acidic foods and beverages for several days after treatment. If you practice excellent hygiene and limit your consumption of stain-causing foods and drinks, you can preserve the results of professional teeth whitening for up to three years.

Cosmetic dental treatments are effective, completely painless, and minimally invasive. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to achieve your best smile.

About the Practice

La Plata Dental offers the finest oral health services in town. Led by Drs. Mark Hochman and Andrew Betaharon, the staff treats each patient with genuine courtesy and old-fashioned customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (240) 349-2439.