Cosmetic Dental Procedures that Enhance the Look of Your Mouth

It is the time of year where everyone will need to take a holiday photo. While many people enjoy showing off their families in Christmas cards, there are some people that don’t like giving a big smile to the camera. They do not feel confident about the look of their mouth and want to hide the appearance of their teeth and gums from others. If you are one of the many people each holiday season that does not want others to see the current condition of your teeth and gums, there is a chance for you to gain a better self-image and greater confidence in your appearance. This informative article is designed to give you the information you need to successfully plan for the enhancement and rejuvenation of your mouth through cosmetic dentistry.

Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

The loss of one tooth, or multiple teeth, can result from a number of factors. They include an injury or trauma to the teeth, severe tooth decay and not practicing proper oral hygiene. The loss of a tooth can have a negative impact on your self-image as well as your confidence in your appearance. The loss of some teeth can also lead to additional issues if the original tooth loss is not addressed by a dentist.

An experienced and board-certified cosmetic dentist can advise patients on whether a dental implant or a custom-made and fitted restoration can best address the issue of lost teeth in the mouth.

• A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed in the area of the mouth where there is a missing tooth. The dental implant is surgically placed in the mouth so patients can be assured they will stay in place. As the dental implant integrates with the surrounding teeth, the implant will eventually become a natural part of the jawbone. The dental implant replaces both the natural tooth and its root. In addition, the cosmetic dental implant provides a secure foundation for cosmetic dental restorations such as a bridge, a dental crown or dentures.
• Stained teeth are another reason that many people do not like to flash a big smile. The teeth can become stained thanks to common foods and beverages known to provide discoloration to the teeth. Some examples include tea, red wine, coffee, curry and berries. The enamel on the teeth is generally durable but it can start to stain and yellow as time passes. The resulting appearance is teeth that are not white and bright anymore. Professional teeth whitening can be performed to brighten the smile by reducing the appearance of stains on the teeth. The dentist will take impressions of the teeth so customized teeth whitening trays can be made to lighten the appearance of the teeth. Once the teeth whitening trays are created, you will be sent home with a whitening gel that will be used in combination with the teeth whitening trays. You will need to wear the trays while you sleep at night or for a certain amount of time each day (as determined by your dentist). While there are some teeth whitening kits that are made for use at home, the best results can be gained through professional teeth whitening that reduces the chances of irritating the gums or creating tooth sensitivity.
• If you want a straighter smile, there are cosmetic dentistry options that are more aesthetically pleasing than wearing traditional braces. One of the reasons you might want to wear braces is because teeth that are crooked, and have unnatural spaces between them, are often harder to hide than other imperfections that are present in the teeth.  Invisalign is a popular choice where clear aligners are placed in the mouth to perform teeth straightening. The teeth are gradually shifted into a more proper spacing and alignment. The set of aligners are made of a clear plastic and can be placed on, and removed from, the teeth by the patient. The aligners should be worn around 23 hours a day and should only be removed when you are eating or brushing your teeth. Each aligner in the set will be worn for around two weeks so it can gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired position, the next aligner in the set will be worn so it can also move the teeth.

Discuss Cosmetic Dental Procedures with a Dentist

Now that you know the options available to you to improve your smile, it is time to schedule an appointment with an experienced and board-certified cosmetic dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth to determine their current condition and the best cosmetic dentistry option to fix the imperfections that are present in the teeth. The dentist will also ask you about your desired goals to make sure you have realistic expectations going into the procedure. Once you and the dentist agree on the treatment plan, the cosmetic dentistry procedure can be performed to brighten your smile and make you want to show others the improvements to your teeth and gums.

MA