Many people are happy with their smile and flash it as often as possible, but trauma to the mouth, teeth, or gums can drastically change the state of a smile, and can also be a medical situation that needs immediate attention. Dental injuries typically occur due to trauma from a car accident, accidental injuries such as tripping or falling down a flight of stairs, or being hurt while playing a sport. If your teeth get damaged, it doesn't mean that you have to live the rest of your life with a broken smile. A dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry can restore your smile and improve your oral health. Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures to repair a smile include:

Bonding

Cracked or chipped teeth are not uncommon for athletes who participate in contact sports, but anyone can experience cracking or chipping their tooth due to an accident or a fall. If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, it is in your best interest to contact a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry as soon as possible. Bonding is a fantastic dental procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin to repair a cracked tooth, or reshape a tooth that has been chipped. 

Implants

When a tooth is violently knocked out of your mouth, there is a good chance that your dentist will not be able to repair it. But you don't have to live with a missing tooth—a dental implant may be the perfect solution. Having an implant inserted can take quite a few appointments, but once it is in, it will feel and look just like a natural tooth. Getting a dental implant requires dedication, but most people are happy with the final results.

Partial Dentures/ Bridges

Unfortunately, some people lose several teeth at the same time due to trauma. If you are not a candidate for dental implants, or if you just can't afford the treatment right now, a set of partial bridges or dentures may hold you over until you can afford to get implants. It can take some time to get used to dentures or a partial bridge, but your best bet is to try to embrace it as soon as possible. Partial dentures are often used in people of all ages to fill in for a missed tooth, and some people use partial or full dentures as a stop-gap while they are undergoing dental treatment.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry options, visit Delta Oaks Dental Care.