Many people believe that the appearance of their teeth can contribute to how others perceive them in social and professional settings. For others, an imperfect smile can lead to oral health and maintenance challenges.
If you are not 100% happy with your teeth, you may want to consider a smile makeover. This may consist of one procedure, or the dentist may recommend a few procedures to help improve the appearance and function of your teeth. Depending on your complaints, your budget, and your goals, the dentist can discuss what methods you may want to consider.
When it comes to enhancing your smile, the procedure you choose depends on what you want to improve. Some common issues that people have include stained teeth, misalignments or gaps, chipped teeth, missing teeth, and a gummy smile. The following are popular makeover procedures.
This is a popular option and the easiest way to get quick results. Professional whitening done in a dentist's office has long-lasting results, so you can go at least a year before having it done again.
However, your dentist must first determine that you are a candidate for this procedure by conducting a thorough oral to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and do not have any other symptoms of oral disease. In addition, patients who require additional cosmetic procedures, including veneers, should whiten their teeth and match the shade of the prosthetic to that of the natural teeth.
Finally, teenagers and pregnant women should delay teeth whitening until their mouths tolerate the procedure. Teenagers' teeth do not have a fully-developed dentin layer that whitening formulas can damage. In addition, pregnant women's hormones create an acidic oral environment that can lead to irritation from whitening.
Composite bonding is a smile makeover technique that covers chips, cracks, deep stains, and misshapen teeth. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored composite material to the front of the teeth and then shaping it to the desired size and length. This generally requires only one visit to complete.
Veneers help close gaps between teeth, and they cover cracks, chips, and dark stains. They also can shorten or lengthen the appearance of a tooth. The procedure consists of applying a thin layer of porcelain over the front of the tooth. The veneer layers are made in a lab, so this method usually takes at least two office visits.
Some people are not happy with their smiles due to misalignments. One option for a smile makeover is to straighten teeth, and the common procedures are braces and clear aligners. Aligners are popular because they are harder to detect, and they can be taken out for eating and brushing. Braces, however, may be a better choice for those with more severe misalignments. The total time for completion can vary widely, but the average timeline ranges from 12 months to two years.
Some people are not happy with their smiles because they have uneven gums or excess gum tissue, making teeth appear short. Gum recontouring removes the excess tissue and reshapes the gum line. This procedure can be completed in just one office visit.
A high gumline with insufficient gum tissue may be due to aggressive brushing, age, or oral health issues. When the teeth and gums are otherwise healthy, the dentist may remove tissue from the roof of a patient's mouth and graft it to extend the gumline. Sometimes, a cosmetic dentist will recommend gum veneers that a lab technician can create from an impression of the patient's mouth. This option consists of a removable acrylic prosthetic to match the patient's gum color.
Dental implants are a popular option to replace missing teeth. The implants are screwed into the jawbone, and then tooth-colored crowns are placed on top. This procedure results in a stable foundation that supports artificial teeth that function and look like real ones. This is a longer process, as it requires multiple steps with healing time. The average timeline for completion is six to 12 months.
Having a nice smile is one of the factors in increasing one's confidence and self-esteem. A smile makeover can fix a variety of issues related to teeth and gums. This makeover can be customized for each individual.
Remember that your dentist is your oral health care partner who can advise you about your smile and recommend the cosmetic procedure to help you achieve the results you seek.
Request an appointment here: https://www.summitfamilycosmetic.com or call Summit Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (908) 516-3833 for an appointment in our Summit office.
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