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What Are The Most Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments? 

Your smile is a valuable asset. But if you’re unhappy or self-conscious about the way your smile looks, you may hide it from people around you. Unfortunately, this can have unwanted effects. In fact, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, more than 99% of adults see a smile as an important social asset, and more than 70% believe that an unattractive smile can have negative effects on someone’s success. Thankfully, your dentist in Douglasville can help with various forms of cosmetic dentistry. 

Smile Whitening

Smile whitening, also known as teeth whitening or teeth bleaching, is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry available. Some of the reasons why are because it’s typically quick and affordable. While the results aren’t permanent, they can give a temporary boost in the brightness and whiteness of teeth. Depending on the treatment, bleaching your teeth can whiten smiles by up to two to nine shades. Whitening products can be purchased over the counter, but the best way to make sure you’re getting the results you want is to first see your dentist in Douglasville for a consultation. The truth is that not all tooth discoloration can be bleached by whitening products. 

Porcelain Veneers

If your dentist tells you that smile whitening won’t give you the results you’re looking for, there may be another option in the form of porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are super-thin pieces of porcelain that are custom-designed to blend into your smile naturally. Treatment for this procedure does require removing a small layer of the natural tooth to make room for the veneer, but the result is permanent. Veneers can fix more than discoloration and can help transform the size, shape, or length of individual teeth. 

Clear Aligners

Even if someone has had braces in the past, teeth can continue to shift over time and become crooked or overlapped. In many cases, clear aligners can be used to gently move teeth around for a super-straight smile without the need for brackets and wires. Although this treatment can be very successful, it’s important to consult your dentist first. Invisible braces aren’t appropriate for everyone, and the over-the-counter options may cause more harm than good. Always check with your dentist before beginning any type of dental procedure. 

Dental Bonding

A simple form of cosmetic dentistry, dental bonding is non-invasive and pretty quick. The treatment involves bonding resin to natural teeth through the use of UV light. It may be one of the best ways to repair chipped or cracked teeth and may even be right for someone looking to fill small gaps in their smile. 

We feel that everyone should have a smile that they’re proud to show off and that improves their self-confidence. Start your cosmetic dentistry journey by scheduling a cosmetic dentistry consultation with your dentist in Douglasville. 

What Happens If You Have Extra Teeth? 

Hyperdontia, a rare yet completely possible condition, causes people to have more teeth than usual. Typically, kids will have 20 baby teeth, and 32 more will erupt as they get older. But those with hyperdontia grow what are called supernumerary teeth, which are extra teeth that usually grow behind the already erupted teeth. The good news is that hyperdontia isn’t often a serious problem that requires treatment from your dentist in Douglasville. 

What Causes Hyperdontia?

Hyperdontia has no known causes, but there are correlations between it and other inherited conditions such as: 

• Cleft palate or lip
• Gardner’s syndrome
• Ehler-Danlos syndrome 
• Fabry disease
• Cleidocranial dysplasia

Hyperdontia Signs

The most obvious sign of hyperdontia is developing more teeth after your full set of either baby or permanent teeth has already arrived. However, if the additional teeth haven’t erupted yet, your dentist in Douglasville will be able to see them developing under the gum line through dental x-rays. Hyperdontia doesn’t typically cause pain, but there can be some discomfort in the jaw or gums. 

Shape & Location

The shape and location of supernumerary teeth can vary from person to person, although they’re most likely to appear behind the four front teeth. Different locations include: 

• Paramolar – back by the molars
• Distomolar – in line with the molars rather than behind them 
• Mesiodens – behind the incisors 

And different shapes can vary from: 

• Supplemental – mimics the shape of the tooth it erupts by
• Tuberculate – is tubular in shape
• Compound odontoma – looks like a bunch of smaller teeth bunched together
• Complex odontoma – shows as a cluster of tooth-like tissues
• Conical – wide at the bottom and sharp and pointy on top  

How to Treat Hyperdontia

In situations when treatment for hyperdontia is recommended by your dentist in Douglasville, the typical treatment is extracting the extra teeth. However, this only usually happens when necessary. The symptoms that usually require treatment can vary from discomfort in the jaw or gums to problems with proper brushing and flossing. Other times, if a patient is simply unhappy with the way the extra teeth look, treatment and some forms of cosmetic dentistry can help. Treatment for hyperdontia should be completed sooner rather than later, so it’s important to see your dentist in Douglasville regularly for exams, x-rays, and cleanings. 

Risks of Hyperdontia

Even though hyperdontia is usually not a big deal, there are some risks associated with the condition. 

• Overcrowding
• Impactions
• Cysts
• Bite issues
• Difficulty brushing and flossing
• Speech impediments
• Facial deformities

If you or a family member notice that you have more teeth than you’re supposed to or feel additional teeth behind or around existing teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist. A quick and gentle exam is the first step to determining if treatment is needed and what would be the best recommendation for you.