If you’ve ever found yourself laughing and smiling with a closed mouth to hide your teeth, cosmetic dentistry could help boost your self-esteem and have you grinning wholeheartedly again. This form of dentistry aims to improve the look of teeth and gums and covers a lot of techniques which we’ll describe here.
One of the easiest ways to tweak your smile is teeth whitening. In our modern diets, there are many delicious but acidic foods and drinks that can cause yellowing of your enamel such as coffee or soy sauce. If your teeth are not as white as you’d like, you may want to consult your dentist about whitening treatments. Depending on the level of staining and the sensitivity of your teeth, you can have a one-off treatment in the dentist’s chair or perform the whitening at home more gradually. In both instances, you’ll need to have moulds taken of your teeth to ensure the whitening trays fit snugly. If you’re having your treatment at the dentist, you can expect it to take around an hour and a half. If you’re using the trays at home, you’ll carry out the treatment in stages over a few weeks. The effects of the whitening should last for a few months before you need a top-up.
If you’re looking to improve the appearance of wonky teeth, you could look into braces for straightening. You may now be picturing the metal braces common among teenagers, but many adults use ‘invisible’ braces which are formed from hard clear plastic. As straightening takes several months, or sometimes years, this option is preferable as they don’t draw attention to your mouth as you’re working on your smile. Straightening results should last forever but you will likely have to wear retainers at night to prevent your teeth from moving back to their previous positions.
If you wish to cover up more stubborn staining and damage, your dentist could offer dental bonding or veneers. Veneers are covers that are ceramic or composite and fitted over the top of existing teeth. You and your dentist will work together to create the best shape for your smile and with modern techniques there’s little to no filing of your natural teeth needed. Veneers last for around 10-15 years. Dental bonding is more affordable and only takes a single visit. Tooth-coloured resin is built up on the teeth that you wish to cover, and polished so it matches your other teeth while hiding gaps and chips.
Tips on Choosing the Right Services for Your Smile
We’d recommend considering whether you want a full smile change or just a few tweaks. This can help you narrow down, for example, whether you want a full set of veneers or whitening. You could find photos of other teeth that you like and look at the differences to try and figure out what changes you’d need to make. Once you know what treatments you’re leaning towards, you should seek out a dentist who understands that each smile is unique and will help you understand what’s achievable for you instead of just pushing you towards an expensive procedure.
How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Oral Health
It’s not all about looks; cosmetic dentistry could also improve your oral function. By correcting the alignment of your teeth, you can help prevent teeth grinding and TMJ, a jaw disorder that can cause a clicking sound when you move your jaw and a stiff painful jaw. Also, straight, equal-shaped teeth that aren’t crowded are easier to keep clean which will keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Get started with us to craft the smile of your dreams by contacting our friendly team here.