Who is a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?

There are many types of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can help improve your smile and give you a boost of confidence that may be missing if you are insecure about your teeth. Some procedures whiten teeth. Others help to straighten teeth or replace missing or broken teeth. But who is a good candidate for these procedures? Below are some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, along with a brief description of who makes the best candidates for each.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can brighten a smile by several shades in just one visit, but not all types of stains can be corrected by whitening procedures. If you have gray stains, which are commonly caused by certain types of medication, you are not a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Also, if you have bonding on your teeth in a visible location, you are not a good candidate as the whitening procedures only work on natural teeth and will not affect the color of bonding materials.

Ideal candidates are over 16 years old, are not pregnant or nursing, and have good dental health.

Dental Implants

Dental implants can replace missing teeth in a permanent way, eliminating the need for full or partial dentures.

Good candidates for dental implants will have healthy gums and enough bone to which the implants can be anchored.

Also, the mouth must be fully developed and, ideally, the patient will be a non-smoker.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are placed over the existing teeth to change and improve the appearance of the teeth and the patient’s smile.

Good candidates for dental veneers will have good dental health, will understand everything that is involved with the procedure and will be able and willing to closely follow the dentist’s directives before and after the procedure.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is a method of straightening teeth without the need for traditional braces.

To be a candidate for Invisalign®, the patient must have lost all of their baby teeth and the permanent teeth must be in place.

Not every patient who could benefit from teeth straightening will be a candidate for Invisalign®. A thorough examination by an orthodontist is required to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign®, or if you would need traditional braces to correct your dental issues.

For more information on cosmetic dentistry as well as dental bridges and dental crowns, contact our Pompano Beach cosmetic dentistry office.