If you’re dissatisfied with your smile’s appearance, you may be able to turn to cosmetic dentistry to improve its look.

A cosmetic dentist can use a number of strategies to improve your smile. Techniques such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and tissue resculpting can address a variety of problems that have a negative effect on your appearance.

Teeth whitening can do wonders for your smile and give you Hollywood-style pearly whites. If you’re happy with the shape and alignment of your teeth, then whitening them may be the only cosmetic procedure that you need. On the other hand, whitening can be the last step in a comprehensive smile makeover, putting a final touch on a whole new smile.

Porcelain veneers are also useful tools in cosmetic dentistry. Veneers can correct a variety of problems, including stained, broken or crooked teeth. Veneers can also be used to re-shape teeth that are unusually small so that they fit in with the look of the other teeth. In placing porcelain veneers, the dentist will first shave a thin layer of enamel from your teeth then use a bonding material to attach the porcelain to the teeth. Veneers can be designed to meet your specification for shade and shape so that they don’t stand out from the rest of your smile.

If your problem involves the gums, rather than the teeth, a tissue resculpting may be the procedure for you. A tissue resculpting, sometimes referred to as a crown lengthening or gum lift, can even out the gum line or move it upward. This procedure helps to address a gummy smile in which the gums are too low or the teeth are unusually small.

If you have a more complex case, you may also need to visit specialists, such as orthodontists or oral surgeons, to get the smile of your dreams. Your cosmetic dentist can make referrals to those specialists, too.

If you’ve been considering ways to enhance your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicholas Kemp, a cosmetic dentist in Toronto, to see what procedures might achieve your aesthetic goals.