Seniors and Cosmetic Dentistry: Enhancing Your Smile!

Just about everyone likes to look at a beautiful smile, and who doesn’t want a nice set of chops? Our teeth aren’t invincible, though, and as we age our teeth get older too.

According to the American Dental Association, teeth were “designed” to last about 30 years. The most noticeable problems tend to be decay and yellowing of the teeth, but the older we get the more tooth troubles arise. We know that poor oral health elevates the risk of certain chronic diseases too, so regular dental care is crucial.

But these days, having healthy teeth or an attractive smile can be a big confidence booster. Treating those yellow stains from years of coffee drinking or fixing those little fangs on our bicuspids may be just what we need. To keep those pearly whites up to par, regular dentist visits are pertinent, but older Americans are also considering cosmetic procedures and many are bucking up for a beautiful smile.

Whitening
Teeth whiteners can be purchased in stores to help whiten smiles, but if you’re looking for quicker results with more staying power, your dentist may have the answer. Professionally applied teeth whiteners have hydrogen peroxide concentrations ranging from 15 percent to 43 percent, while over-the-counter products typically contain 3 percent to 20 percent. In addition, with store-bought whiteners, treatments are designed to be used for a longer time. The difference in cost is a factor in a patient’s choice. Here is what you might expect from the dentist’s office.

Take-Home Whitening Kits
With home bleaching, the dentist creates a custom-fitted mouth guard that holds a professional-grade bleaching gel. The mouth guard is worn up to two hours daily or at night, depending on what your dentist recommends. The amount of time you wear the mouth guard and the treatment duration will vary depending on individual needs.

Chair Side Teeth Bleaching
Chair side teeth bleaching with a dentist has become quicker, better and even more affordable over the last few years. Done in the dental office, these appointments may require more than one office visit with each appointment taking from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chair side bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to the gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent at higher intensity than home versions is applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

Laser Teeth Whitening
During laser teeth whitening procedures, a professional-strength peroxide-based gel is applied to the teeth and a laser light is used to activate the gel. The process usually takes about an hour and whitens teeth by as many as ten shades. Costs for the procedure vary from dentist to dentist, but results from professional laser teeth whitening manufacturers are very similar.

Bonding
Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied or bonded to the tooth surface.

Enamel shaping
Enamel shaping modifies and improves the teeth’s appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which is often combined with bonding, is usually quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately. Enamel shaping should be approached with caution, however, because enamel cannot be replaced.

Veneers
Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Traditional porcelain veneers require two or more visits one to two weeks apart. Veneers made of porcelain generally last longer than plastic and costs vary depending on the dentist, region and the lab they use.

If you’re in the market for a cosmetic dentist procedure, here are a few tips to your most magnificent mouth. Review before and after photos of other patients to ensure a dentist fits your needs. Ask for references from other patients. What kind of quality care does the office provide before, during and after a procedure? Ask what kind of continuing education courses your dentist has taken to keep him or her up to date with the latest techniques. Make sure you are comfortable with the rest of the staff. One lackluster hygienist can make for an unpleasant experience.

Who doesn’t feel like they could use a little tooth tune-up? But, while getting a cosmetic procedure is nice, we should remember that all the dental treatments and whiteners in the world won’t benefit teeth that are decayed or diseased. Regular appointments with a dentist will keep our chops looking their best. By doing our research and asking questions, we can prepare for a mouth that might get people talking.

Sources: aacd.com, aarp.org and webmd.com.