As the adage goes – a smile is your best accessory. But if you’re feeling less than confident about yours, what can you do to restore your smile?

Let’s cover five popular dental solutions to get you grinning again. The solutions are teeth whitening, bridges, fillings, implants, and dental crowns. Each one has its own list of pros and cons that we’re going to dive into.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening works exactly how it sounds. The best part is that there are many ways that you can go about it. But first, what is discoloration of your teeth and what causes it? 

Teeth discoloration is when your teeth change color, typically from a shade of white to a shade of yellow or anywhere in between.

Certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth such as coffee and tea. So does chewing or smoking tobacco. Your teeth can also change color because of your age, genetics, or even certain medications.

Another important reason could be poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and/or flossing can quickly lead to discoloration.

There are a few options you have to whiten your teeth:

  • Whitening toothpaste
  • Gel strips
  • Gel trays
  • Activated charcoal

Keep in mind that any option you choose has its pros and cons. Consider the sensitivity of your teeth and gums before trying and how much time you have for the process.

Impatient? Another option is to get your teeth whitened by your dentist. It’s much quicker! You can get your teeth up to 8 shades whiter in just 1 visit.

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Bridges

Dental bridges are solid options for missing teeth. It’s a false tooth, or teeth, that are held into place by the teeth surrounding the hole. Traditionally, these are made out of porcelain although there are other varieties.

There are 4 types of dental bridges.

  • Traditional
  • Cantilever
  • Maryland
  • Implant-Supported

Traditional dental bridges are when the false teeth are held into place by crowns that have been cemented onto the surrounding teeth on both sides. Cantilever bridges are very similar, however, the bridge is held into place on only 1 side.

Maryland dental bridges use metal or porcelain to attach the tooth to the backs of the surrounding teeth.

Lastly, the Implant-Supported dental bridge uses, you guessed it, implants to hold the teeth into place.

Each type of dental bridge has its own associated costs. Consult your dentist for the best option for your situation.

Fillings

Dental fillings are used for a variety of reasons, from tooth decay, broken teeth, and even eroded teeth.

This is when the dentist goes in and fills any holes or gaps in your teeth. There are quite a few options on what to fill the hole with too!

Your options are, but not limited to:

  • Composite resin
  • Silver fillings
  • Glass ionomer cement
  • Resin ionomer cement
  • Nickel
  • Gold alloys

Porcelain can also be used as a temporary fill.

Each one has its pros and cons. Again, consult your dentist for the best option for you.