Get Your Summer Smile Ready with Your Dentist in Blaine

Are you a university student looking forward to graduation? Do you have a friend who’s getting married soon? Are you expecting your spouse to take a lot of photos during your big vacation? Summer is the time for all sorts of events where you’ll want to look your best, and a key element for that is a great smile. If you’re feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, don’t worry; your dentist in Blaine has a few different options to help give you the confidence to grin for the camera.

Teeth Whitening

One of the most popular cosmetic improvements patients ask their dentists for is whiter teeth. During a professional whitening, a special bleaching gel is applied, then hardened by a special light. The gel penetrates the teeth to break up molecules causing stains or discoloration, resulting in a brighter smile.

A professional whitening can usually be done in a single visit. For patients who aren’t worried about immediate results, take-home whitening kits with custom-fitted bleaching trays are also often offered at practices.

Cosmetic Bonding

If there are just a few small imperfections in your teeth that you’d like to tweak, cosmetic bonding can be a good option. A composite resin is applied to the tooth before being hardened and polished. It’s usually used to repair chipped teeth, but it can have other cosmetic uses as well. It’s a relatively simple procedure that lasts about an hour.

Porcelain Veneers

A veneer is a porcelain cover custom-fitted and permanently attached to the tooth. It can be used to hide damage, discoloration, or irregular shape of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are often compared to cosmetic bonding; the major difference is that bonding is usually used for minor changes while porcelain veneers can be used for more extensive adjustments. They’re also very durable, sometimes being able to last around 15 years if well-cared for, and are highly stain resistant.

Invisalign

If you’ve been thinking of straightening your teeth but don’t want to be seen wearing metal braces in your summer photos, Invisalign is a solution that works for many teens and adults. It uses a series of clear plastic trays to shift your teeth into place over time. Not only are the trays removable so as to not restrict your eating options, but most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them, making it easier to smile.

If you’d like to make improvements to your teeth, speak with your dentist; they can list your options for the corrections you want and can help you set realistic expectations. Ask any questions that you have, and make sure you understand the procedure and what you’ll need to do afterwards. Take that first step towards a great summer smile!

About the Author

Dr. Douglas Green undergoes an average of over 75 hours of continuing dental education each year – five times more than what’s required of dentists in Minnesota! At his practice, Imagine Smiles, he offers many different kinds of cosmetic dentistry including professional whitening and Invisalign. To set up an appointment, visit his website or call (763) 269-8650.