Most people agree that having a beautiful smile boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Although it is usually selected for aesthetic reasons, cosmetic dentistry can often improve your oral and overall health as well. Smile restoration is a worthy investment that has long-lasting benefits. (Image Credit: Prostooleh/Freepik)
Modern dental techniques create a more youthful appearance. It can also fix multiple problems such as protruding, crowded, crooked, chipped, or worn down overly gummy teeth. Furthermore, cosmetic dentistry easily disguises discoloration or gaps. For those who prefer non-invasive procedures, there are non-surgical dental treatment options available to create a better smile.
Here we describe five ways cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile:
1. Orthodontics
For anyone who had braces in their youth but failed to wear their retainer or those who have never had braces at all, adult life may be plagued by crooked teeth and being self-conscious about your smile. But orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to involve clunky metal train-track braces. These days, less visible options include tooth-colored braces and clear trays.
Braces corrects problems with overcrowding, crooked teeth, small gaps, and improve bite alignment (how the upper and lower teeth meet).
Generally, braces take six to 18 months to achieve results. While wearing braces, avoid certain foods. And, of course, your oral hygiene routine must be very rigorous. However, your improved smile will be a great reward for your commitment.
2. Jaw and Bite Alignment
Sometimes it’s best to fix the root of a problem rather than paper over the cracks. The starting point for a better smile is the position of the jaw and bite. Correcting a misaligned bite by optimizing the jaw sets a strong foundation for a beautiful smile and can also improve dental and overall health (a misaligned bite can cause jaw pain and headaches). It can also reduce the chances of problems, particularly if existing enamel damage is due to habits such as teeth grinding.
One of the more drastic options is jaw surgery, usually followed by fine-tuning of the smile with other cosmetic options such as veneers or dental bonding.
A quicker pain-free option is a non-surgical dental treatment, where the jaw is optimally aligned using JawTrac® from Face Lift Dentistry. The beauty of this jaw alignment treatment is that it is non-invasive and produces results very quickly, sometimes taking as little as 4 -8 days.
Read more about the causes of misaligned bites and the problems they can cause here.
3. Teeth Whitening/Covering Discoloration
One of the quickest and most effective types of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening; everyone feels more confident with a brighter smile. Teeth become stained over time from consuming certain foods and drinks, taking certain medications or habits such as smoking. Yellowed teeth age the face and uneven discoloration can make people feel very self-conscious.
Although the market is filled with fairly inexpensive whitening toothpaste and adhesive whitening strips, these options tend to only remove surface stains so can only whiten teeth by a couple of shades.
The most effective whitening treatment involves a laser-activated gel and custom-built trays that fit perfectly to your teeth. Teeth are cleaned professionally to remove plaque, tartar, and debris before the whitening treatment is started. You may be asked to apply the gel and trays at home afterward as well to complete the treatment. This technique produces a better smile very quickly and the results will last for much longer.
4. Porcelain Restorations
Porcelain veneers are perfectly shaped strong shells that disguise a multitude of dental imperfections such as cracked or eroded enamel, crooked teeth, and gapping. Your natural teeth are drilled down to allow the veneers to be attached to create a whiter, even appearance.
For those not keen on the idea of their natural teeth being ground down (which can result in sensitivity and even the need for root canal treatment), alternative non-invasive treatments such as VENLAY® from Face Lift Dentistry are available, where custom porcelain restorations are bonded to healthy enamel without any drilling. As well as improving the appearance of individual teeth, VENLAY® can improve the facial profile, providing a more youthful and confident appearance.
5. Dental Implants
Missing teeth create a sunken look to the face which is very aging. Missing teeth can also affect how you talk and eat. Without replacement, the jawbone weakens over time. This is especially true if multiple teeth are missing. Moreover, many people avoid smiling or laughing in case people notice the gaps.
A dental implant can easily replace a missing tooth. These impacts consist of a natural tooth-colored crown mounted onto a titanium screw embedded into your gum. Dental implants look and act like your natural teeth and always result in a better smile.
You’ll want to keep your teeth in tip-top condition before and after any cosmetic dentistry. Look after your teeth by following these handy tips: https://beverlyhillsmagazine.com/health-fitness/tips-for-healthy-teeth/.