A surprising number of people hate the way that their teeth look, and this affects their ability to smile. Some will even go out of their way to avoid showing their teeth at all, covering their mouth with their hand, avoiding speaking in public and eating in company. Sometimes, our confidence is so adversely affected by the appearance of our teeth that we struggle to make eye contact and have trouble engaging in social situations. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way.
A smile makeover is a process of improving the appearance of teeth through one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures. Many people have several different issues that affect the way that their teeth look and so often, a bespoke treatment plan is created in order to help patients achieve the greatest improvement in the appearance of their smile.
Here are some of the most common treatments that are included in smile makeover treatment plans.
Dental veneers
Veneers are thin, fingernail-like coverings that are applied to the outside of teeth that have cosmetic imperfections. Some of the issues that veneers can cover include:
– Chips and cracks
– Stains
– General discoloration
– Small gaps between teeth
They can also be used to add thickness to teeth that are set back in the arch or to add height to undersized teeth.
Every veneer is bespoke, designed for the individual tooth that it is to cover. You can have one or a whole set depending on your individual requirements. The process to apply veneers is minimally invasive, with a little of the natural enamel of teeth being removed so that the veneer sits perfectly in line with the rest of your smile without looking abnormally thick. This is done using local anesthetic and requires minimal recovery time. Once in place, veneers transform the appearance of your smile as well as adding an extra layer of protection to the natural teeth.
Composite bonding
Composite bonding is a popular alternative to dental veneers and rarely requires any preparatory work at all. Rather than pre-made shells attached to the teeth, bonding involves pasting a composite resin onto the teeth and molding it in an artistic manner to cover imperfections. It is then hardened using a special light, before being polished to complete the treatment.
In most instances, composite bonding can be carried out in a single visit to your cosmetic dentist’s offices, whilst veneers typically require at least two. It too can also be used to cover cracks, chips, discoloration, and staining.
Teeth whitening
Bright, white smiles are considered one of the most attractive attributes a person can have, and teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental treatment in the world. It is so effective that it can completely transform the way that your teeth look and give you much more confidence in your appearance.
Professional, in-office whitening can be carried out using the highest strength of bleaching agents available. This means that it will take fewer treatments to achieve the results that you are looking for, and the results will last longer. The application of the whitening agent is also more consistent and careful, minimizing your risk of experiencing side effects like sensitivity and soreness. Once the whitening agent has been applied, a light will be used to activate the whitening process. How, many sessions you will need will depend on the shade of whiteness that you hope to achieve.
Invisalign clear aligners
Crooked, twisted and overlapping teeth can also cause people to be self-conscious about the appearance of their smile. Orthodontic braces are the most conventional method to move teeth into a new and improved position, but a more discreet and convenient solution is now available – Invisalign. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gently exert pressure onto the teeth to change their position. They can be removed for eating and cleaning, meaning there is no need to compromise what you eat or how well you can brush your teeth. A typical Invisalign treatment program lasts anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on your individual circumstances.
Dental implants
When you are missing one or more teeth, you will almost certainly experience a loss of confidence in your smile. You will find that your oral health is at risk too. Dental implants are the most superior tooth replacement solution available. They use surgically-placed artificial tooth roots which provide a stable, secure foundation for the visible part of your restoration – which can be comprised of a single crown, a bridge or an entire denture.
If you are interested in learning more about smile makeovers, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation to see how our experienced cosmetic dentists can transform your smile, please contact our offices today.