Do you want to get a smile makeover? Depending on the oral issues you struggle with, there are many different paths you can take to achieve your perfect smile.
Did you know that your smile is one of the attributes that most people are likely to remember about you? That’s according to studies that examined how tooth loss affected people’s mental state. And if you have missing, broken, or discolored teeth, you may already be very conscious about how other people view you when they see your smile. But if that’s not something you can live with, don’t worry - a smile makeover can completely transform how you feel about yourself!
Even though people rarely talk about tooth loss, it’s actually a very common issue. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth loss affects over 50% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 64.
Related studies have found that any tooth loss can affect an individual’s self-confidence, sometimes causing depression associated with lower self-esteem levels.
However, there are multiple restorative treatments that can help affected individuals circumvent these issues.
“With a smile makeover, it’s possible to change, restore, or alter multiple aspects of a patient’s mouth, including the appearance and functionality of teeth,” explains a clinician at North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, one of the many practices that offer cosmetic and restorative dental services. “It’s especially beneficial for patients who want to enhance their smile while being mindful of their oral health.”
Everyone has different teeth, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for any patient. That being said, you can expect your cosmetic dentist to develop a treatment plan that’s just for you.
But what procedures are out there? To give you a better idea, let’s look at what your dentist may recommend.
Ceramic dental crowns are a pretty common option, and they’re probably one of the simplest ones you can get. These artificial coverings are designed to surround and protect a damaged tooth, and they’re often made of ceramic or porcelain that emulates the color of your natural teeth. Crowns can level teeth, close gaps, cover stains, and stabilize damaged teeth, making them suitable for individuals who would like to strengthen existing teeth.
If you have missing teeth, your dentist may instead offer dental implants, which are a more durable alternative to dentures; these can also be used to straighten severely crooked teeth that are not responding to orthodontics. Implant procedures are pretty intensive - they involve inserting a titanium post into your gum and jaw, where it’ll fuse with your bone and behave as a synthetic root system. Once the fusion is complete, an artificial tooth that’s shaped to fill the gap left behind and match your other teeth is screwed onto the post. This will leave you with a natural-looking smile, with all the strength of real teeth!
If you don’t want something so intensive, you can also request dental veneers, which are custom-made shells that are attached to the front of your teeth. These can be used to close gaps, alter the size of teeth, or disguise particularly dark stains, so they’re a great non-surgical option if you’re not outright missing teeth or you’re only concerned about smaller chips and cracks.
Finally, if you’re only worried about staining, you can instead opt for a teeth whitening procedure, either in the office or with a customized teeth whitening tray.
With so many options on the table, you may be wondering which procedure is your best choice for improving your smile. There’s no real correct answer, but a professional cosmetic dentist will be able to guide you in the right direction.
