With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we know that many of your will be shopping for Christmas gifts soon. (Some of you have probably already started.)

As you look for ideas for your spouse, your kids, and your co-workers, don’t forget the most important person in your life — YOU!

Many people want to make changes to their smile, and their reasons can vary widely as well. We know because we helped so many patients from Charlotte, NC and the surrounding area achieve their smile goals with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

If you been thinking about making some changes for months or years, why not talk to someone at McNulty & Dancausse General Dentistry about your options. Call 704-766-8662 to schedule a consultation.

▶ Teeth Whitening

One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your smile is to get rid of the stains.

Stains don’t usually happen overnight. They form gradually. With every sip and every bite that we take, a little something gets left behind.

As a result, you don’t notice the gradual, slow changes to your smile. Often, patients will notice the difference after seeing an old photograph of themselves. Other times, people become aware of the discoloration of their smile while brushing their teeth one day.

While it’s perfectly normal for this to happen, many people also begin to feel self-conscious about their teeth once they are aware of their yellow smiles.

Commercial whitening products can remove some stains from your teeth. Whitening toothpaste is OK at removing surface stains. Over-the-counter whitening kits can go a little deeper.

Yet, nothing you will find in stores can compare to the professional whitening products we offer at our practice. Because they have higher concentrations of bleaching agents, professional products can remove the deepest stains from your smile.

Before you use any whitening products with bleaching agents, however, the American Dental Association strongly recommends talking to a dentist. The reason is that some discoloration may not be the result of staining. In those cases, whitening products may not have the desired effect. Also, you already have fillings, veneers, or crowns, then whitening could give you an uneven smile.

That also leads nicely into our next cosmetic service.

▶ Dental Veneers

Veneers have proven to be among the most versatile services in modern dentistry. In addition to their cosmetic benefits, they also can be used for some restorative purposes, too.

Where whitening is an effort to undo the effects of staining on your teeth, veneers are used to conceal problems. It’s sort of like putting a new cover on your teeth so other people see the smile that you want them to see. To put it another way, veneers can give you the smile you want to see when you look in the mirror.

By coming to our practice, you have the option of two kinds of veneers. Porcelain veneers have been used by dentists for decades because of their beautiful appearance. They have a good track record for providing natural-looking smiles. E.max veneers are made from a high-end ceramic. Because of how they reflect light, many people feel create a more natural-looking smile.

If you are interested in either option, we can discuss the differences in more detail during your consultation. For now, we want to focus on the things that have in common. Specifically, the problems you can fix with veneers:

  • Discolored teeth
  • Broken and chipped teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Crooked or crowded teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Worn-down teeth
  • Undersized or misshapen teeth

Veneers can one or more of these issues in a matter of a few weeks and a few visits to our office. You might be surprised just how different your smile could look.

▶ Dental Bonding

If you looking for even faster results, bonding may be a better option than veneers.

Bonding also has the benefit of being a great low-cost solution for many of the same issues veneers can fix. Now, tooth bonding typically won’t last as long as veneers, but it can last for a few years with proper care.

Knowing this, many people will get bonding as a short-term treatment to give them time to decide if they want a different service as a long-term fix.

With bonding, a composite resin is applied to your teeth. This resin is sculpted and shaped so that your teeth match the shape and size of the rest of your smile.

The resin can be cured, shaped, and polished. At the end of that process, you won’t be able to tell where the resin ends and your tooth begins. That seamless blend can restore your confidence in your smile as well.

Take the First Step Toward Your New Smile

One of our favorite things about cosmetic dentistry is that it can make a huge difference in the lives of people. We’ve had people come to our office who felt so self-conscious about their smiles that they could barely look us in the eye to discuss what they wanted to change.

Patients have told us how they have missed out on potential jobs, avoided social events, and turned down dating opportunities because of how they felt about their teeth.

You can boost your confidence by giving yourself the gift of a great smile. The first step in that process is scheduling a consultation with one of our doctors at McNulty & Dancausse General Dentistry.

This is your chance to explain your smile goals. We can give you a dental exam to help determine which services can help create your dream smile. We’ll be happy to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have about the process.

It’s time to stop putting off this change. You’ve done so much for the people in your life. Now is the time to do something for yourself. If you live in or near Charlotte, NC, please contact us online or call 704-766-8662 to request an appointment with us.

You deserve an amazing smile!