Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence Don’t Let a Missing Tooth Get You Down
What Options Are Available to You?
When you have lost a tooth or have a decayed or damaged tooth that needs to be removed, you may wonder what happens next. What are your
Brighten Your Teeth
options? What should you do if you’re missing a tooth?
Perfectly white teeth framed by a great smile have been a highly sought-after feature for centuries, starting 4,000 years ago with the Egyptians. However, over the years, the teeth whitening process has advanced beyond using a paste of ground pumice and wine vinegar. We now have a number of products at our disposal to get whiter teeth faster and more effectively. Here are a fewways you can whiten your teeth today. In-Office Bleaching Giving your dentist the job of whitening your teeth will produce the best results, though it might take a little longer and can be a little more expensive than an at-home bleaching kit. The bleaching sessions themselves don’t last long — usually about an hour — but require multiple visits for the desired shade of white. Also, it’s important to consider that if at-home kits are used incorrectly, they can lead to bleached or even burned gums, which is why many people prefer having their dentists perform the procedure for them. Gels and Whitening Strips These options are applied directly to the teeth, either with a tray or a thin strip. They offer a slightly less expensive method than in-office bleaching, costing anywhere from $10–$55, but they take much longer. Depending on the peroxide used in the products, they will need to be applied to teeth twice a day for several days or weeks until the desired result is achieved. Toothpastes and Rinses Both of these options are meant to remove stains through regular use, but whitening products contain chemicals that will help remove stains as well as brighten them at least one shade. However, these products aren’t made to bleach the teeth and will make a minimal difference in whitening. No matter which method you choose to use, you should speak to your dentist first if you’re planning to whiten your teeth. They can help you decide the best and healthiest route to take.
One of the best options is to replace the tooth. Living with a missing or damaged tooth can lead to serious health issues. It can be painful and lead to
further infection, but over time, a missing tooth can also alter your bite and harm your jaw, which can lead to additional complications.
On top of the health risk, it can influence your self-confidence. All too often, people with a missing or damaged tooth are reluctant to smile or speak naturally. They hesitate and don’t let their true self shine through. Certain replacement options, including bridges and dentures, can fill in the gap, but they fall short for many people. They often don’t look or feel the same as your healthy, natural teeth. These options can lead to other issues, such as damage to your existing healthy teeth, which may be used to support the bridge or dentures. These devices can cause bone loss and the deterioration of the bone structure in your face. With dental implants, by contrast, you can have one or more of your teeth replaced in a manner that is durable, beautiful, and mimics your natural tooth structure. Because dental implants replace individual teeth, you don’t need to worry about many of the issues associated with bridges and dentures. Plus, each implant is custom- made to exact specifications. Once in place, no one will know it’s an implant but you! If you are considering your options for a missing or damaged tooth, be sure to ask us about how we can help. We’re here to help you put aside the worry, so you can smile and engage with others with utmost confidence, knowing your smile is complete.
2 www.bigsmiles.com
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