Worried about the appearance of your smile? Cosmetic dentistry is what you need.
As the name implies, cosmetic dentistry deals with issues that involve how your teeth and mouth look when you smile. It is essentially the type of dentistry that ensures oral care with a specific focus on appearance.
Cosmetic dentistry is often considered a want rather than a need since its focus is to enhance teeth appearance. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t help improve the function of the teeth. While they are not typically considered essentials in terms of maintaining oral health care, certain cosmetic dentistry treatments do offer restorative benefits.
When it comes to choosing cosmetic dental care procedures for you and your family, having the proper knowledge of which solutions are best for specific issues is your best bet at getting the most out of what you pay for.
Below are four cost-effective cosmetic dentistry solutions for different dental issues you may have:
1. Dental Veneers for Misshapen, Chipped, Stained, or Discolored Teeth
Chipped, misshapen, stained, or discolored teeth – these are the most common issues that can be dealt with using dental veneers. These ultra-thin shells made from medical-grade ceramic or porcelain can instantly improve the appearance of teeth.
Since the material used to make them closely resembles the color of the surrounding natural teeth, veneers offer a quick and realistic solution to staining, discoloration, and damaged enamel. In some cases, these can even be used for gapped and crooked teeth.
These shells are custom-made for each patient’s natural teeth, so you’re sure that they won’t look noticeably different from your existing choppers. However, grinding the natural tooth’s surface is required to ensure an excellent fit.
Veneers can also be used for either one tooth or all the front teeth. Either way, this cosmetic dentistry solution can last from 10 to 20 years, depending on maintenance and care.
It is worth noting that once you get veneers, you’ll have to have them throughout your life. This means that after they’ve reached the end of their lifespan, they need to be replaced with a new set of shells to maintain the appearance of your smile.
2. Teeth Whitening for Discoloration and Staining
No matter how much you try, you might find that your teeth become discolored or stained from the intake of certain foods, drinks, and medications. When this happens, teeth whitening may be the first solution that comes to mind.
Also known as “bleaching,” teeth whitening entails the use of a solution that restores the whiteness of the teeth. To start, the dentist creates a custom mouthpiece tray to fit the patient’s teeth. This will ensure that each tooth gets just the right amount of whitening solution.
When opting for this procedure, you’ll be given two options: Get it done in the dentist’s clinic or at home where you can use a chemical solution that the dentist will prepare for you. Of the two, home solutions may take a bit longer to take effect, so you might want to opt to have the treatment done in the clinic.
Moreover, you must remember that teeth whitening doesn’t make your choppers resistant to staining and discoloration. This means that if you continue to expose them to substances like coffee or tobacco, it is highly likely that your teeth will become stained or discolored again.
3. Invisible Braces for Misaligned or Crooked Teeth
Back in the day, traditional braces with metal brackets were the go-to solution for crooked or misaligned teeth. While this type of solution is still used today, a more aesthetically pleasing and potentially better alternative has emerged: Invisalign.
The Invisalign treatment is an invisible brace system composed of clear aligner trays that allow patients to achieve a better smile without other people noticing the presence of the orthodontic device.
These aligner trays are worn 20 to 22 hours every day and removed only when eating. They are also replaced with a new set of trays every two weeks to adjust the pressure on the teeth. Changes in teeth alignment can become noticeable after an average of six to 12 months, depending on each case.
Below are some tips for proper care and maintenance of Invisalign:
- Rinse the aligners when removed to get rid of food debris and dry saliva that may cause bacteria buildup.
- Soak them in a gentle solution to keep them moist while removed.
- Avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaning substances and tools when cleaning Invisalign. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle scent-free clear soap.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene. Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth before putting Invisalign back into your mouth.
4. Dental Crowns for Chipped, Decayed, or Damaged Tooth
Dental crowns are “caps” that are made to look just like a tooth on the outside. They have a hollow center which allows them to cover the tooth to bring back or improve its size, shape, and overall appearance. Crowns are cemented into place and fully encase the portion of the tooth that is visible just above the gum line.
Aside from aesthetics, dental crowns can also enhance the tooth’s strength. This means crowns can prevent tooth breakage or support an already-cracked tooth.
Materials used for this cosmetic dentistry solution include metal, resin, ceramic, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Each material is best used for specific situations.
Below are several other benefits you can get from using a dental crown:
- Support for tooth filling where not much of the natural tooth is left
- A foundation for a dental bridge
- A solution to severely discolored or misshapen teeth
- Cover for dental implants
- Reinforcement for a weak tooth against decay or cracking
- Restoration of broken or severely worn-down teeth
- A solution to most cosmetic modifications
In some cases, children may be advised to have crowns installed on their baby teeth. This can be done to salvage the choppers that are damaged from decay but cannot be filled, to protect teeth from high-risk tooth decay, or to reduce the need for general anesthesia due to certain behavioral issues. In these instances, a pediatric dentist might recommend the use of a stainless-steel crown.
A Cosmetic Dentistry Solution for Every Smile
Oral health care is an essential part of a person’s overall well-being. Aside from maintaining physical fitness, keeping a bright smile is also important for one’s self-esteem and emotional health.
Work towards getting that confident smile with these cost-effective cosmetic dentistry solutions. Use this article as a guide when choosing the best one for your specific case.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr. Zul Paliwalla is the General and Cosmetic British Dentist at NOA Dental Clinic, specializing in smile-related concerns. With over 33 years of experience in the UK, Dr. Zul has successfully worked on and improved many internationally recognized smiles. He is a certified Invisalign® GOLD provider as well and has brought his elite expertise to Dubai not only to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, but also to offer his brand of personalized smile makeovers.
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