Recently, you may have seen your favorite celebrities and influencers sporting tooth gems, which are small crystals or jewelry that are bonded to the teeth. While there’s no doubt that this trend is a surefire way to make your smile sparkle, it may not be as harmless as it seems.

If you’re considering ways to achieve a more eye-catching smile, keep reading to learn more about tooth gems, their potential risks, the importance of professional application, and some alternatives to consider. 

What Are Tooth Gems and Why Are People Getting Them?

First, let’s go over what tooth gems are and why they’re appealing. They consist of small crystals, gold, or diamonds that are adhered to the teeth, typically with a semi-permanent adhesive. 

When you have a tooth gem professionally done, it’s a similar process to installing the brackets for braces. They can stay on for months or even years, depending on the type of adhesive used, the placement, and your habits. 

While the concept of adding jewelry to your teeth may seem strange to some people, others see it as a way to express themselves. Celebrity influence has a lot to do with its appeal, as well, making tooth gems seem like a glamorous way to improve your appearance. Plus, since they’re temporary, they’re perceived as a low-risk body modification, especially compared to piercings or tattoos. 

The Potential Risks of Tooth Gems

However, despite their impermanence, tooth gems come with some potential risks. Most dentists don’t recommend them due to the potential for damage. Even with professional application, this trend isn’t 100 percent safe. 

The potential risks of tooth gems include: 

• Enamel damage: There’s a chance your tooth enamel could erode or weaken, especially with improper application or removal. 
• Tooth decay: Depending on the gem’s size and placement, plaque and bacteria can build up around the gem. Plus, it can cause difficulties with brushing and flossing, making it harder to remove this buildup. 
• Gum irritation: Plaque and bacteria can cause gum irritation, contributing to gum disease. Plus, if gems are placed too close to the gumline, it can cause inflammation. 
• Choking hazard: If the gem dislodges, it can be swallowed or inhaled. A lot of the time, the gems are too small to harm your digestive system; however, accidental inhalation can be a serious emergency.
• Allergic reactions or sensitivities: You may be sensitive or allergic to the adhesives or materials used, especially if you opt for DIY or low-budget options.

Professional Application vs. DIY Kits

As long as you have your tooth gem properly applied by a dental professional and maintain good oral hygiene habits, the risks are relatively small. However, those risks increase exponentially when you do it yourself. 

One of the biggest risks is improper preparation. If you apply a gem to a tooth that hasn’t been properly cleaned and prepared, you could trap bacteria underneath, leading to tooth decay. Non-sterile tools can also lead to infection, 

There’s also no way to know for sure what materials these DIY kits contain. Either the gem or the adhesive could contain toxins that may put your health at risk. Plus, low-quality metals can tarnish or rust over time or even cause allergic reactions. 

Alternatives to Tooth Gems

If you want a way to improve your smile’s aesthetics, there are better ways to do it. At VIP Smiles, we offer a wide range of safe cosmetic dentistry options that can help you achieve that beautiful, eye-catching look you’ve always wanted. 

Professional whitening, veneers, and bonding are all excellent ways to address imperfections like discoloration, misshapenness, or minor damage. These options will refresh your smile — and your confidence — without the risks that come with tooth gems. Plus, the results often last much longer, making them a smarter investment. 

Expert Cosmetic Dentistry by VIP Smiles

At VIP Smiles, we understand that your smile isn’t just functional — it’s a key part of your appearance, allowing you to express your personality. If you have questions about tooth gems or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, don’t hesitate to reach out and speak with a member of our team. Our goal is to give you all the information you need to make informed decisions about your oral health. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help you achieve the bright, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of. 

Nobody is born with completely straight teeth. There’s nothing inherently wrong with not having a perfect Hollywood smile, but some people choose to fix their crooked teeth for cosmetic reasons, to improve their oral health, or to boost their confidence. 

While braces are a common solution, they’re not the only option for fixing crooked teeth. Some alternative treatments may be better suited to your smile depending on the severity and cause of the misalignment. 

If you’re considering ways to straighten your smile, keep reading to learn more about what causes crooked teeth, when braces may be the best choice, and other options you may not have considered.

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

First, let’s explore some root causes of crooked teeth. There are many possible reasons why your teeth didn’t grow perfectly straight, and the cause of the misalignment may affect your treatment options. 

Crooked teeth can be caused by:

• Genetics and family history
• Childhood habits like thumb sucking and prolonged pacifier use
• Jaw size and structure
• Tooth loss or crowding

It’s important to work with your dentist to determine the cause before choosing a treatment to ensure the best possible results. 

When Are Braces the Best Option?

While braces are not anyone’s first choice for fixing crooked teeth, they’re the most effective option for complex bite issues, severe crowding, and significant misalignment. Other options may fail to fully address these more complicated cases of crooked teeth. 

Alternatives to Braces for Crooked Teeth

Braces are a tried-and-true method for addressing crooked teeth, but they’re not the only option. Thanks to modern dental advancements, you may not have to be stuck with a mouth full of metal to achieve a straighter, more uniform smile.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners like SureSmile are smooth plastic trays designed to gently guide your teeth into their proper place. Because they’re unobtrusive and customized to your unique smile, clear aligners are a more comfortable, streamlined alternative to braces. Plus, they’re nearly invisible when worn, allowing you to undergo orthodontic treatment discreetly. 

Aligners are ideal for mild to moderate alignment issues, but may not be able to handle more complex cases. Plus, they require strict patient compliance — if you forget to wear your aligners as directed, treatment will take much longer. 

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are another option to cosmetically correct minor misalignments, such as slightly crooked or gapped teeth. These thin porcelain or composite shells are bonded to the front surface of the teeth, covering imperfections such as misshapen teeth, discoloration, or chips. 

However, they don’t fix actual alignment problems; they just make them less noticeable. If your crooked teeth are contributing to oral health problems like gum disease or tooth decay, veneers won’t do anything to address the issue. 

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding consists of a special tooth-colored resin material that’s applied to the tooth and sculpted to improve a smile’s appearance. It can fix small gaps, minor crookedness, or misshapenness; however, like veneers, it doesn’t actually move the teeth into their proper positions — it only disguises their misalignment.

Because it’s quick, affordable, and non-invasive, dental bonding is a great choice for minor cosmetic improvements like improving the appearance of crooked teeth. The resin is less durable than veneers, though, and may stain or chip over time, requiring occasional repairs.

How to Know Which Option Is Right for You

If you’re thinking about addressing your crooked teeth, it’s essential to consult with your dentist about the available options. Everyone’s smile is different, which means certain treatments may be more effective for you than others. 

At your consultation, your dentist will consider the following factors to ensure you choose the best results:

• The severity of your teeth’s misalignment
• Your oral health status
• Your cosmetic goals
• Your budget and insurance coverage
• Lifestyle considerations, such as your willingness or ability to wear your aligners as directed

Fix Your Crooked Teeth with VIP Smiles

While braces are often an effective way to achieve a straighter smile, they’re not the only solution. At VIP Smiles, we specialize in both orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. Whether you’re dealing with severe crowding or minor  misalignment, we can guide you through a personalized treatment plan that ensures satisfactory results. 

If you’re ready to straighten your smile, contact VIP Smiles today to explore your options and learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals. 

Chipped teeth can be caused by accidents, impacts, biting into hard foods, or grinding your teeth. However your chipped tooth came to be, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible — not just for aesthetic reasons, but to prevent further damage and restore function, as well. 

If you have a chipped tooth, consider dental bonding. This simple solution is quick, non-invasive, and effective for repairing minor damage. 

At VIP Smiles, we’re proud to offer dental bonding to our patients who want a convenient way to restore their smiles. Keep reading to learn what dental bonding is, its benefits, what to expect, and how to care for bonded teeth. 

What Is Dental Bonding?

First, let’s explore what exactly dental bonding is. As a cosmetic procedure that uses composite resin to repair minor tooth damage, it can be a powerful tool for fixing a chipped tooth, covering stains, or reshaping irregularities. 

It involves applying a special resin material to the tooth, shaping it to create a seamless appearance, hardening it with a special light, and polishing it to achieve a smooth finish. Compared to other options, such as veneers or crowns, dental bonding is a quicker, easier, and less invasive way to repair your chipped tooth. 

Benefits of Dental Bonding for Your Chipped Tooth

If you have a chipped tooth, dental bonding may be the solution you’re looking for. This procedure provides many benefits, including:

• Non-invasive: Unlike veneers and crowns, which require enamel removal, dental bonding requires minimal tooth preparation. 
• Quick procedure: Dental bonding is usually completed in one visit, making it a convenient option for addressing your chipped tooth. 
• Affordable: Because the dental bonding process is quicker and less invasive than veneers or crowns, it’s often more affordable, which means it’s better for patients on a budget.
• Natural-looking results: The composite resin is color-matched to your teeth, creating a seamless, natural-looking appearance. 
• Durable solution: While dental bonding is not as durable as veneers or crowns, the results can last several years with proper care. 

The Dental Bonding Process: What to Expect

Now that you know what dental bonding is, let’s go over what you can expect when you choose VIP Smiles to fix your chipped tooth. 

1. Consultation and Evaluation

First, we’ll examine your chipped tooth to determine if bonding is suitable. During this initial consultation and evaluation, we’ll discuss which resin color matches your teeth best and how the final shape will look. 

2. Preparation

The next step is preparing the tooth. Typically, no anesthesia is needed, unless the chipped tooth is near a nerve. We’ll roughen the tooth’s surface and apply a conditioning liquid designed to help the resin adhere securely. 

3. Application and Shaping

After that, it’s time to apply and shape the resin. We’ll apply the composite resin in layers, gradually building it up to fill the chipped tooth and sculpting it to match the natural tooth shape. 

4. Curing and Polishing

The final step is curing and polishing the resin. We use a special light to harden it, and then give it a final shaping and polishing for a smooth, natural finish. 

How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

Dental bonding is generally durable; however, it doesn’t last a lifetime. The typical lifespan of dental bonding is about 3 to 10 years, but that number may be different depending on the level of care. Factors that influence its longevity include your diet, whether you have habits like chewing on non-food items or clenching your teeth, and your oral hygiene. 

Signs that bonding may need repair or replacement include chipping, cracking, discoloration, uneven texture, resin pulling away from the tooth, or a change in bite. 

Caring for Bonded Teeth

If you opt for dental bonding to fix your chipped tooth, it’s important to properly care for your oral health to extend the life of the bonding. Here are some guidelines to help ensure long-lasting results:

• Avoid biting hard objects like pens, fingernails, and ice.
• Limit substances known to stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. 
• Maintain good oral hygiene, which includes brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.
• If you’re prone to teeth grinding, wear a mouthguard at night. 

When Is Dental Bonding Not the Best Option?

While dental bonding is an excellent solution for many patients, it’s not always the best way to repair a chipped tooth. Large chips or severe damage may require veneers or crowns. Additionally, patients with bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) may need a more durable solution. Your dentist can help you determine which cosmetic/restorative option is best for your chipped tooth. 

Fix Your Chipped Tooth with Dental Bonding at VIP Smiles

Our team at VIP Smiles is dedicated to providing outstanding restorative and cosmetic dentistry, including dental bonding. Whether you have a chipped tooth, discolored enamel, or misshapen teeth, contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can restore your beautiful smile.