Cosmetic Dentistry- All the Reason for You to Smile! Life is short, smile while you still have teeth; and if you do not, get a smile makeover!

Do you have to put your hand over your mouth every time you laugh just because you are embarrassed by your stained or crooked teeth? Well, you are not the first one. Bad teeth are not only bad for your physical health but emotional and mental, too! However, with a plethora of options available in cosmetic dentistry, you can get the best smile makeover and boost up your confidence because a smile lets your personality breathe.

Cosmetic Dental Issues- Why do you need a smile makeover? Next time they ask you where your money went, show them your smile! Many people go the extra mile to look pretty, especially when it is about their facial appearance. When a person wants to improve their smile, they get professional dental care, in which the cosmetic dentist looks into the root cause and the possible dental treatments. The question that you might ask is, how do you know that you need a smile makeover? Several natural or acquired dental problems can stop you from smiling, such as:

Stained or discolored teeth: Your teeth may appear not so white due to several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Genetic and hereditary problems that may cause damage to dental tissues can result in permanent stains or discoloration of the teeth. However, external factors like bad eating and drinking habits, smoking, etc. cause tartar and discoloration in your mouth. Whichever the cause, if the stains or discoloration does not respond to scaling and polishing, the dentist might suggest other cosmetic dental treatments.

Crooked or misaligned teeth: Have you ever teased anyone by calling them for their crooked or “Dracula teeth,” or are you a victim here? Either way, get a dental consultation and see which cosmetic dental treatment suits you best because misaligned teeth compromise your smile and cause other dental problems like dental decay and gum diseases.

Broken/misshapen/chipped off teeth: Accidents are unforeseen, especially if you are sporty or a kid. Trauma to the face can result in fractured or even a broken tooth (or teeth) that need immediate medical attention. After restoring the tooth, the cosmetic dentist might suggest treatment options to restore the anatomy, function, and aesthetics of the damaged tooth (or teeth).

Worn-out teeth: Do you clench your teeth when angry, or your roommate complained that you grind your teeth while asleep? If yes, get yourself checked because you might be suffering from Bruxism that causes tooth surface to wear off (attrition), leading to other dental problems such as sensitivity.

Gaps between teeth: Some people have minor gaps in their teeth, especially in between the front (incisors) teeth (midline diastema), which cosmetic dental procedures can overcome.

Tooth loss: Aging, trauma, tooth decay, and gum diseases can all lead to tooth loss, leaving a space behind. Imagine smiling with the front teeth missing. Even the imagination is scary. Worry not, cosmetic dentistry can give you a complete smile makeover to help you smile again, this time with higher self-esteem.

Smile Makeover- What options do you have? With modern cosmetic dentistry now more popular than ever, a dentist can completely transform your looks with a smile makeover by offering you several choices.

Teeth whitening (teeth bleaching): As already discussed, some stains or discoloration never go away no matter how perfect the oral hygiene is or how many times you get dental scaling done. Hence, to lighten the stains and brighten the smile, a cosmetic dentist might perform teeth whitening. In this procedure, a gel is applied to your teeth, and then it is exposed to an infra-red light (hot laser) or blue light (cold laser) to improve the appearance.

Dental veneers: To overcome the minor gaps in front teeth, or to cover the discoloration/staining that will not go away even after teeth whitening or to lengthen the teeth to restore their height that has been worn down, the cosmetic dentist might opt for a natural tooth-colored shell-like covering called veneer.

Dental implants: Tooth loss can occur due to several reasons. The best possible cosmetic dental solution to it today is a dental implant. A dental implant consists of three parts, a screw that is surgically placed in the jawbone, an abutment that sits over the screw, and once the screw has healed, a tooth-colored crown/cap is placed over it. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate. For a dental implant, you need to be committed to your already perfect oral hygiene, never smoke, and have no bone or other health issues because they will not be covered under your dental insurance.

Dental crowns: After a restoration or root canal therapy (RCT), the remaining natural tooth structure might not be adequate. Hence, custom-made acrylic or porcelain caps are used to fit over the damaged tooth and give you a smile makeover.

Enamel or teeth shaping: If you have slightly large teeth or smaller teeth, the cosmetic dentist might shape the outermost layer (enamel) to reduce the height or add in a little restorative filling to elongate the tooth.

Tooth bonding: If you have severely stained, broken, or chipped teeth, a cosmetic dentist might use a tooth-colored bonding agent to adhere it to the surface to repair and restore the appearance.

Orthodontic treatment: If you have severely misaligned teeth or jaw problems, it can be corrected by the traditional orthodontic treatment called braces, in which metal wires and bands are used. However, many people dislike the appearance of braces and may not need extensive treatment as they have minor gaps or slightly misaligned teeth with no jawbone issues and can go for clear aligners (Invisalign). Clear aligners are transparent custom-made trays that can be removed and re-inserted by the patients, unlike the traditional braces.

Smile; for it is the best therapy! A smile makeover can redefine your lifestyle. To know what cosmetic dental treatment you need, pay your dentist a visit and get your oral cavity examined! Cosmetic dentistry may be expensive, but when you see yourself smiling back in the mirror, you will know why!