Adolescence can be an incredibly challenging transitional period for many teens, especially if they’re self-conscious about their appearance. For instance, if you have a child at home who has imperfections in their smile, they might worry about being judged or bullied by their peers and avoid spending time with others.
Thankfully, many dentists offer cosmetic services that can enhance your teen’s appearance and boost their confidence. Continue reading to learn about 3 popular treatment options that might benefit your child!
Treatment #1: Teeth Whitening
Do you have a high-schooler at home who’s frustrated by dental discoloration they can’t seem to brush away? Many stubborn stains are caused by eating and drinking darkly tinted foods, which can eventually leave enamel looking more yellow or brown than pearly white.
If your child tries to remain tight-lipped to avoid showing off their tinted teeth, they might benefit from professional whitening services. Many dentists offer in-office procedures for more immediate results, which can be ideal if your child wants to look their best for an upcoming event, like homecoming or prom. However, they might also appreciate a take-home kit containing professional-strength supplies, like ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted applicator trays, to achieve beautiful results on their own time.
Treatment #2: Veneers
If your child has chips, cracks, or mild misalignments detracting from their appearance, they might be a good candidate for veneers. These thin, ceramic shells are customized to resemble or improve the size, shade, and shape of their natural enamel. Then, they’re cemented to the front surfaces of their teeth to mask imperfections.
This is a versatile treatment that can address one or multiple aesthetic concerns at once. But for these restorations to fit correctly, your child’s dentist must remove a small amount of enamel, which doesn’t grow back. If you or your child is uncomfortable with making irreversible changes to the structure of their teeth, they might still benefit from other services, such as dental bonding.
Treatment #3: Dental Bonding
This procedure addresses many similar issues as veneers, but is considered less invasive because it typically doesn’t require that the enamel be removed. Instead, color-matched, putty-like composite resin is applied to your teen’s teeth in layers to rebuild damaged sections or cover flaws. Then, it’s hardened with a special ultraviolet curing light so that it bonds directly to their enamel. The resulting repair can often last 5 to 15+ years if cared for correctly.
If your teen is eager to improve their looks with cosmetic dentistry but is unsure which treatments can help them achieve their goals, you can help them learn more by scheduling a consultation with their provider!
Meet the Author
Dr. Justin Garner has nearly 20 years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the UMKC School of Dentistry and then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Michigan. Today, he offers a complete menu of services, including cosmetic procedures, to meet your family’s unique needs conveniently under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling the office at (816) 306-1838.