Cosmetic Dentistry Gives You A Reason To Smile

 

While there is no such thing as an “ugly” smile, an astounding number of people are conscious of the way their teeth look when they smile. While some cover up their dental flaws by smiling conservatively, others may cover their mouths while speaking. A smile can make all the difference to a person’s self-esteem and physical appearance, which is why more and more people today and ready to opt for cosmetic dentistry treatments that promise to make their smiles as perfect as can be. There are several “smile makeover” treatments available, some of which are discussed below.

Bonding

If you have chipped/broken teeth, or excessive spaces between teeth, bonding may be the answer to your problems. Bonding treatments involve “filling up” of flawed areas with a composite resin and binding material. Unlike many other dental treatments, bonding can usually be completed in a single sitting and you can walk out with a flawless set of teeth in less than an hour.

Whitening

One of the most common dental treatments, whitening becomes a necessity for those who have stained or discolored teeth, which may be caused by smoking, medication or excessive intake of coffee and tea. Poor oral hygiene may also contribute to plaque formation and lend an unpleasant hue to your teeth.  A cosmetic dentist may either perform the whitening treatment as an outpatient procedure in the clinic or prescribe a teeth whitening system to be used at home. While the former takes as less as 45 minutes for a single sitting, a self-use whitening treatment may take a couple of weeks before it begins show effect. Both kinds of treatments involve the use of a whitening solution that is applied on the teeth for a specified duration. If your teeth have suffered extensive discoloration, you may require more than one sitting.

Veneers

Dental veneers are gaining popularity due their versatility and ease of installation. A veneer is essentially a thin porcelain film that is applied on the front surface of the teeth to mask any imperfections like chipping, cracking discoloration and misalignments. Since a veneer is custom-made, the procedure may require a couple of sittings. Many dentists prefer veneers to other treatments like bonding because they are less prone to breakage, staining or discoloration in the long run.

Gum re-contouring

Do flashy gums keep you from smiling wholeheartedly? With gum-recontouring, it is possible to fix prominent or receding gums so that your smile looks just perfect. If you have receding gums, a dentist may recommend gum-regrafting. On the other hand, a “gummy” smile can be taken care of by trimming away the extra gum tissue.

Braces

If you have misaligned or crooked teeth and have been avoiding braces for the fear of looking like a gawky teenager, you have a reason to smile. New-age braces are either made of transparent materials or placed behind the teeth so that they are not visible at all from the outside. Also, the hygiene problems and discomforts associated with traditional braces are taken care of since most modern braces can be removed while eating, brushing and flossing.

The author of this post, Nancy Baker, is a freelance blogger who is also a part of the team at West Lakes Dental that offer dental services such as tooth whitening, tooth coloured fillings and dental implants in Adelaide.  She has many years of experience in this field and likes to write about dental health and care in her blog posts. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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