Smiling is something most people take for granted, but you might feel less than confident about showing your teeth off to the world. Certain dental flaws might be making your smile less attractive, and cosmetic dentistry may correct the problems so that you'll be able to smile with full confidence again.

Whiter Teeth

Some colored foods and beverages along with nicotine use can stain teeth and make them unattractive shades of yellow or brown. Discoloration also sometimes naturally happens with age. Cosmetic dentists offer teeth whitening treatments that can make the teeth whiter with special solutions that brighten teeth with long-lasting results. The dentist may also shine a special light on your teeth that's intended to give you the whitest, most beautiful teeth possible.

Tooth Discoloration Correction

If teeth whitening treatment isn't enough to make all your teeth an attractive shade of white, the cosmetic dentist may try other methods to correct tooth discoloration. A tooth can become discolored if it has a cavity that needs to be filled or needs root canal therapy. Dental veneers, which are thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front surfaces of teeth to hide certain flaws, can also hide tooth discoloration and brighten your smile.

Chipped Tooth Concealment 

Some of your teeth might be chipped from chewing on hard foods or sustaining an oral injury. To hide chips so that no one will see them when you smile, the dentist may recommend dental veneers. Dental bonding is another treatment that often works well for concealing surface damage on teeth and involves applying a composite resin to cover up chips and small cracks.

Teeth Reshaping

Maybe you're unsatisfied with the shape of some of your teeth. To improve the shapes of any teeth so that all your teeth have a more uniform appearance, the cosmetic dentist may use special dental instruments to shave away some of the enamel and reshape the teeth.

Gum Reduction

If your gums are highly visible and seem to dominate your smile, gum contouring may be done to give your smile a less gummy look. By removing extra gum tissue that gives off this appearance and reshaping the gums, people may soon see less of your gums when you smile and more of your beautiful white teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry can offer you the solution that takes your smile to a whole new level. To learn more about the benefits of cosmetic dentistry and the different treatment options that are available, contact a local cosmetic dentist's office today.