By Dr. Steve Marsh
Despite the fact that everyone is wearing masks that cover up our smiles, many people are using this time to take care of their mouths.
Dentists across the country have reported that they are especially busy. Part of this may be attributed to people having more time on their hands; they’re not going on vacation and they’re working from home.
Looking Good
People are using this extra time to get healthy – from walking to working out to taking care of their teeth. Others are using Zoom to speak to their families and friends and are more aware of their smiles and their associates’ appearance, staring into the screen at un-masked faces.
So what can be done to improve your look? Teeth whitening with gels can be accomplished in two ways – Zoom whitening or custom-fitted trays.
Zoom whitening — often done for an event or meeting — is accomplished in a dentist’s office in about 90 minutes using a thick liquid and a laser-like light to accelerate the process. Shade changes can be impressive, depending upon the age of the patient and tooth structure. When the treatment is completed, it is recommended that patients use trays with a carbamide peroxide gel 15-30 minutes once or twice a month to maintain the new color.
These same trays can be used without Zoom to acquire a whiter smile, but they need to be used much more frequently and longer to achieve the “Zoom” look.
Another option is veneers or crowns to brighten and/or change the appearance of the front teeth. Whether used in the upper or lower arch, they can make chipped, cracked, broken or discolored teeth look like new, or close to it, as they cover the existing teeth or roots. Requiring just two appointments, they can make a huge difference, creating a youthful and healthy smile.
Composite bonding, though not quite as resilient, also can change tooth appearance. In just one visit to the dentist, the material is applied over the tooth or where part of the tooth is missing to give the tooth an improved appearance and function.
With these options, dentistry can make a huge improvement to a smile. And now that we have more time for ourselves, we can make use of these techniques to improve both the quality and appearance of our teeth so that when we’re on our computers, we’ll have a Zoom smile on the Zoom app.
Dr. Steve Marsh focuses on cosmetic dental procedures and general dentistry. Visit ClevelandSmiles.com to learn more.