6 Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedures to Transform Your Smile
If you want a brighter and natural-looking smile without needing to worry about downtime, choosing the right cosmetic dental procedure can be difficult. With so many available, it is usually a good idea to focus on the ones that are the most popular, so you can have the assurance that they have a long legacy of success, and that the dentist is highly practiced in their application. However, what do these tend to be?
Below, we dig into the most popular cosmetic dental procedures that Justice Dental in Lexington offers. Read on to find clear guidance on what they entail and what you can expect from each, including the timeline of the procedure and the maintenance you can expect to need to investigate afterwards. Then, book a consultation to get a tailored plan or to ask further questions once you’ve learned all you can here.
1. Teeth Whitening Options
While at-home kits are available, they cannot meet the safety standards and level of quality you can expect from a professional, in-clinic service. Professional whitening uses peroxide gels that are specially made for in-clinic use to help lighten the teeth’s natural color beyond what your regular cleaning regimen can manage.
In-office whitening only needs a single visit in most cases, and uses a high-concentration gel that is not available at home. As such, you can expect it to work faster, and with the level of training the dentist has, they can inform you of the whole process at every step and ensure that your teeth remain healthy afterward.
If you need minor touch-ups over time, such as if you regularly enjoy tea or coffee, or other staining beverages, then you can return to maintain the shade. The dentist should also be able to advise you on steps to take to protect your teeth’s color long-term.
You can expect some temporary sensitivity that typically lasts a short time outside of the clinic. However, simply using ibuprofen has been shown to effectively reduce tooth sensitivity in such situations, allowing you to return to your regular diet faster.
2. Dental Veneers
These are thin shells of composite or porcelain that the dentist will bond to the surface of your teeth. They can both protect your teeth and, at the same time, adjust their shape. As such, if you have received minor damage in the past, these can help others avoid noticing it.
The difference between porcelain and composite options is that porcelain tends to resist staining much better. However, both regularly lead to satisfactory results, with neither offering specific problems that require careful maintenance. Porcelain veneers have even been reported to have a life span of over ten years in 95.5% of cases, according to Perrone (2025).
You will need to have healthy gums and a stable bite to ensure that you can protect the veneers long-term. Your dentist will check your jaw to ensure that heavy clenching does not occur, especially in specific areas. If it does, they can often offer nightguards or other methods to protect these restorations and allow you to avoid return visits.
3. Dental Bonding
Similar to veneers, dental bonding instead uses smaller, tooth-colored resin that the dentist will sculpt directly onto the teeth. If you have several smaller gaps or uneven edges, the dentist may recommend this option rather than full veneers.
When applied, the dentist will prime the enamel of the teeth before applying the resin to ensure the best connection. Then, following application, they will cure the resin to help it match the surrounding tooth enamel in color and translucency.
In most cases, it will blend in perfectly to all but the most aware observer. While it may pick up minor stains over time, a simple polish tends to reduce the need for more focused adjustments.
It’s perfect if you only want to receive small changes, and if your teeth are otherwise robust.
4. Invisalign Clear Aligners
These aligners straighten teeth, much like braces, but instead of being bonded to the teeth themselves, they use a set of custom and almost-invisible trays that apply gentle pressure on the teeth when inserted. Their reputation speaks for itself.
When you have them in, you will need to wear them the majority of the day. The American Association of Orthodontists even recommends wearing them for 20-22 hours daily, including during the night, leaving time for relief when eating.
However, the dentist will do everything they can to ensure that they do their job with the minimum of discomfort, giving you a more natural smile without the need for fillings or bonding anything to your teeth.
5. Gum Contouring
The process of gum contouring reshapes any excess gum tissue, helping you to reveal more of your teeth in a smile and to avoid a “gummy” appearance. There are several options available to dentists, and Justice Dental always aims to be at the forefront of technology, so make sure to discuss their exact processes with them before booking a consultation.
During this visit, they will evaluate your gum health and develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve the best possible results.
Planning for the Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Each of the options is customizable to the individual, using digital photos and 3D scans to create a personalized treatment plan that matches the patient’s specific needs. While results can vary between individuals, the dentist will do everything they can in all cases to ensure that any new tooth appearance matches that of the surrounding teeth and that the bite forces remain strong, helping you to avoid issues with eating in the future.
Justice Dental offers each of these five options in the same locations, helping you to avoid difficulties with follow-up and long-term maintenance so long as you can return to the same area.
Pick a Popular Option for the Best Smile
Now you understand which are the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, as well as what they entail, protect yourself and your look from stains and chips, or get your teeth into a more comfortable position. Justice Dental offers all five, as well as a comprehensive consultation process, including 3D scans and digital previews.
Book an appointment today to plan your first step towards a more comfortable future with a beautiful smile you can be proud of.
