Smile Makeover
If there is something about your smile or your teeth that you dislike, ask your dentist about a smile makeover, the process of improving the look of your smile and teeth through cosmetic procedures.
Smile makeover treatments can be customized to fit your individual needs. Your dentist will discuss several factors with you, such as the color and shape of your teeth; your facial appearance, including lips, skin tone, and hair color; and any potential considerations regarding your gums and the overall health of your mouth.
Read on to learn about your available options for a smile makeover.
Whitening
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, offering a quick, non-invasive, and affordable method for a smile makeover. Treatments range from sessions with your dentist to home whitening kits available over-the-counter at your pharmacy. Keep in mind that whitening is not a permanent solution and regular maintenance is required.
Bonding
For minimally invasive smile makeovers, dentists use tooth-colored composite materials to repair chips or cracks in teeth; close gaps between teeth; or restore teeth that have become worn, discolored or stained, or slightly crooked or misshapen. Bonding is a good solution that is much less expensive than crowns or veneers. Your dentist will use one of two methods:
- Composite bonding involves directly applying and sculpting restorative materials to a tooth.
- Adhesive bonding refers to attaching a restoration to a tooth using an adhesive and a high-intensity light to cure the bonding.
Both approaches are usually completed in one appointment. More complicated or extensive bonding may require additional visits, but in such cases, your dentist will not need to provide temporary teeth, and you will not have to wait days or weeks for restorations to be completed in a lab.
Veneers
Veneers are durable, ultra-thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain or composite that are cemented over a tooth surface for patients with any of the following dental issues:
- Discolored teeth may not be fully correctable through whitening, making veneers an effective cosmetic solution.
- Worn tooth enamel is a natural result of aging. Also, your teeth are more likely to have chips, cracks, or an uneven appearance as you age. Acidic foods or drinks, smoking, and some medications can also damage teeth.
- Uneven teeth can result if you grind your teeth, especially while you sleep, or from wear and tear over time. This can lead to incorrect bite and cosmetic smile issues.
- Due to family genetics, some people are born with abnormal spacing between teeth that can widen with age.
In addition to improving your smile, dental veneers require little or no removal of tooth structure when compared to crowns.
Crowns
Gold crowns are used for teeth that are unsuitable for bonding or veneers due to decay, damage, or injury. For visible teeth, the gold is coated with porcelain and color-matched to blend naturally with your other teeth. Your dentist will remove some tooth structure prior to placing the crown. You will have a temporary tooth in place for a few weeks while your crown is manufactured in a lab.
Implants
Dental implants are an excellent solution if you have one or more missing teeth due to decay, root canal failure, gum disease, or tooth injury from trauma to your mouth. Your dentist will place a metal post into your jawbone and attach the tooth crown to the post.
Implants look like and function like your actual teeth for an excellent option to bridge work, which can be ill-fitting and cumbersome, or to wear dentures, which require frequent removal and cleaning. Dental implant surgery has several steps, and in between each step, your mouth must be completely healed before your dentist can proceed. You should expect the entire process to last as long as 12 months.
Maintaining Your Results
Smile makeover treatments require good oral hygiene at home, regular visits to your dentist, and maintenance over time, whether you have chosen bonding, veneers, crowns, implants, or whitening. Your dentist will work with you to meet your smile makeover needs and provide long-term health and stability for your teeth, gums, and mouth.
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