Just like the other dental procedures that were already discussed, cosmetic and upscale procedures may also be hard for a patient to properly understand. When a patient asks about these sorts of treatments, it’s important to explain it in a way that helps them understand why it is important or beneficial to them without getting too technical or losing them with medical jargon. Below are some great ways to explain the most common cosmetic or upscale procedures.
Teeth Whitening
While there are several at-home whitening treatment methods that have grown popular over recent years, these are seldom effective and are often a waste of money. Teeth whitening done by dental professionals, however, is certainly effective. Having whiter teeth and a brighter smile, as a result, can be life-changing for people by improving their appearance and their overall confidence. Additionally, those who receive a professional whitening treatment might also be more conscious about practicing great oral hygiene in order to maintain what they have deemed an aesthetic priority.
- Increased confidence. Teeth whitening will improve the appearance of teeth that might have grown more yellow or developed darker spots overuse (and oftentimes, regular coffee consumption). A brighter and more uniform smile can significantly boost both a patient’s self-esteem and their confidence.
- Improved oral health habits. Teeth whitening will commonly motivate patients to improve their oral health habits in order to protect the investment that they made in their newly whitened teeth, leading to a regular brushing and flossing routine.
- Professional image. A brighter, whiter smile can help people present a more professional image which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings. In addition to that, the increased confidence can help those in professional settings function even better at their work.
- Affordable. The best news is that teeth whitening is a relatively affordable cosmetic dental treatment that can provide significant results, making it accessible and a priority for many.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance by covering up imperfections such as discoloration, chips, and gaps. Veneers are a very popular upscale dental treatment because they can provide dramatic results in a mere few appointments, which is especially valuable to people today in our fast-paced, instant-results society.
- Discolored teeth. Veneers can cover up discolored or stained teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments, which can sometimes occur with certain types of discoloration.
- Chipped or cracked teeth. As life moves on, and events occur one by one, accidents are inevitable. Sometimes, accidents may result in chips, cracks or other imperfections in teeth – something that veneers can easily cover up.
- Misaligned, uneven teeth, or gaps between teeth. Instead of braces or other orthodontic procedures, dental veneers can create an appearance of straighter, even, and uniform teeth which leads to a more aesthetically pleasing smile, without the work put into a more involved solution such as orthodontic procedures.
Replacing Silver Tooth Fillings
While white fillings are becoming more commonplace, many fillings have been or are still done with mercury/silver amalgam. Not only is this option less ideal function-wise, but it is also less ideal aesthetically as well – you can easily see where the filling was done on any tooth where mercury amalgam was used. Because of this, patients may opt to replace their mercury fillings with white composite instead, which can provide a healthier, more natural, and more aesthetically pleasing solution for restoring decayed or damaged teeth. Not only will it improve the patient’s confidence and oral health, but it will improve their overall well-being as well.
- Improved aesthetics. White fillings are made of tooth-colored materials, which can blend in seamlessly with the natural teeth, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than silver or amalgam fillings – if done right, it can look like there are no fillings present at all!
- Healthier materials. Mercury dental fillings contain a small amount of mercury, which can potentially pose health risks. White fillings, on the other hand, are made of composite resin or porcelain, which are non-toxic and biocompatible. In the age of increased health awareness and desire for organic and natural solutions, white fillings will achieve far greater results than mercury-containing fillings.
- Durability. White fillings are durable and long-lasting, providing a reliable and functional solution for restoring decayed or damaged teeth.
- Reduced sensitivity. White fillings do not expand and contract like mercury fillings do, which reduces the risk of sensitivity or discomfort for the patient in the postoperative phase.
