It’s probably no surprise that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so it makes sense to want your smile to always look its best. If you have a misshapen tooth, it can dramatically change the way your smile looks — and take a toll on your self-confidence, too.
But misshapen teeth cause more than cosmetic problems. If you have one or more teeth that are worn, chipped, or just oddly shaped, it can alter your bite balance, increasing your risks of cavities, tooth loss, jaw pain, and a chronic condition called temporomandibular joint disorder.
At The Glen Dental, our team helps patients throughout the San Jose, California, area improve their smiles and their oral health with custom solutions aimed at restoring and repairing misshapen teeth. Here are three solutions that could help you.
#1: Dental veneers
Dental veneers are thin coverings that are adhered to the front surfaces of misshapen teeth. Each veneer is made of a special porcelain material that can be expertly shaped and tinted to camouflage the misshapen tooth, giving you the beautiful smile you crave.
Dental veneers take two office visits — one to prepare your tooth surface and make an impression of the tooth, and the second visit to apply the veneer using a strong dental adhesive. Once in place, you’ care for the tooth like you normally do, with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental checkups.
Veneers can also be used to fill in gaps between teeth, to “resize” teeth that look too small, or to cosmetically correct crooked teeth.
#2: Dental crowns
A dental crown is a durable “jacket” made to surround an entire tooth. Crowns can be an ideal solution for teeth that are misshapen due to decay or traumatic damage.
Like veneers, crowns require two visits. At the first visit, your tooth is prepared and an impression or mold is made of your tooth. You’ll also be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your tooth. In about 2-3 weeks, you’ll come back in to have your permanent crown fitted into place.
#3: Dental implants
Sometimes, a misshapen tooth is so badly damaged, it can’t be restored. In those cases, extraction is usually the best solution. Once the tooth is removed, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible to prevent neighboring tooth roots from shifting and weakening.
Dentures and bridges are possible options for tooth replacement. But many of our patients opt for dental implants, state-of-the-art restorations comprising a metal post and a durable, natural-looking crown (or artificial tooth).
Implants are shaped and tinted to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. Plus, they’re designed to be secure and comfortable, and they can be cared for just like your other teeth.
Get the smile you’ve always wanted
Don’t let a misshapen tooth or other issue keep you from enjoying a beautiful, confident smile. At The Glen Dental, our team specializes in custom cosmetic dentistry solutions aimed at helping each patient get the smile they want. To learn how we can help you, call or book an appointment online today.