During their formidable years, your teenager may feel embarrassed by the natural appearance of their smile. If they have white spots, discoloration, gaps, or otherwise imperfect teeth, it might be worth telling them about the benefits cosmetic dentistry can bring them.
While cosmetic dentistry shouldn’t replace daily oral care, sometimes healthy teeth don’t look the way they feel. That’s where your cosmetic dentist in North Central San Antonio comes in. He’s prepared to help you and your child ask the right questions if they’re considering cosmetic enhancements.
Here are three to ask before seeking treatment.
How Cosmetic Enhancements Can Help Your Teen
Even if teeth are healthy, small chips, cracks, and discoloration can make your child afraid to show their teeth or even smile. Their teen years are some of their most social years they’ll experience, so you want to help nourish them as much as possible.
If having a smile they can be proud to show off helps them be more social and interact with others their own age, they’ll be more likely to develop those skills and utilize them later in life. While your dentist wants to help your child boost their oral health, he’s more than prepared to give their self-esteem a boost as well.
“Are My Teeth Healthy Enough?”
If your cosmetic dentist is willing to perform treatments before even confirming that your child’s teeth are in healthy condition, you should consider finding another one. Cosmetic enhancements can make a huge difference, but they should not be prioritized over their oral health. Make sure your dentist proves to you and your teen that their teeth are healthy before having any cosmetic treatment done.
“What are Your Credentials?”
Your dentist should have no problem showing their credentials to perform cosmetic dentistry well. Since any dentist can label themselves as a “cosmetic dentist,” it’s not unusual to ask about their experience. See if they have photos of previous patients they performed treatments on. Ask if they’ve taken the time to pursue additional education on cosmetic dentistry.
“Which Treatment Would Work Best for Me?”
After undergoing a cosmetic consultation, both your teen and dentist should have a better idea of which treatment is most appropriate. In many cases, patients don’t need to jump right into getting porcelain veneers if they can undergo other treatments.
Furthermore, your dentist will likely offer multiple solutions to fix your child’s imperfections. For example, both porcelain veneers and direct bonding can fix chips, cracks, and gaps in their smile. At-home whitening kits can treat discoloration on their own time, making it easier to whiten teeth without needing to schedule multiple dentist appointments.
Are you prepared to help your child boost their smile? Consider scheduling an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in North Central San Antonio today!
About the Author
Dr. Brian L. Eck earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With over 35 years of experience practicing, you can trust him to give your child the comprehensive improvements they’re looking for in their smile. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.
