Your smile says a lot about you. We know that a smile with imperfections may take away your looks, confidence and can attract all sorts of negative consequences. You might not be happy with the way your smile currently looks, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way. Whether you wish your teeth were straighter, whiter, or less chipped, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures available to help you create the kind of smile you’ve always desired.
This process of correcting a defective smile is often referred to as a “smile makeover”. At The Dental Room, we have years of experience in creating the perfect smile.
What does a smile makeover entail? There are a number of cosmetic procedures that also serve restorative benefits to improve your quality of life. Some of the most common cosmetic dental procedures that will enhance your smile include:
Teeth Whitening
It is the simplest of all smile makeover procedures. Teeth Whitening is an easy and affordable technique for restoring the natural colour of your teeth. The professional whitening of your teeth can make all the difference with your smile, even if it’s the only treatment you receive, you should schedule a professional cleaning first. Ideally, you can have them cleaned and whitened in one appointment with your dentist. There are different levels of teeth whitening, including in-office and at-home treatments. You can do teeth whitening treatments at home; however, the effects of professional whitening treatment will last much longer than at-home treatments, so you’ll likely save more money even after paying for touch-ups.
Implants
Dental Implants are used to replace missing teeth. The dentists will start by screwing a titanium tooth in the place of the missing tooth. This screw will support the implanted tooth. Dental implants have a realistic look and feel to them. You’ll still need to practice good oral hygiene to prevent infections, especially during the period immediately following the implant placement.
Veneers
Veneers provide a simple and efficient fix for discoloured, chipped, worn, broken, or misaligned teeth. Veneers are thin pieces of ceramic material that are attached to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance. Dentists apply veneers by removing the top layer of enamel from your teeth. Then, they attach veneers with a special dental adhesive. Veneers are very natural-looking and can be used to resolve a variety of issues. Including crooked teeth, stained teeth, and teeth with noticeable gaps. It is made from porcelain or a composite resin material. The porcelain’s superior stain resistance and natural look make it the best option for a smile make-over.
Tooth Recontouring
It is a technique used to reshape slightly crooked or uneven teeth and give them a more symmetrical appearance. In some cases, this involves strategically altering teeth to create the illusion of straightness. There are some drawbacks to this procedure. Its effects are limited as you can only remove so much tooth before issues with sensitivity arise. The procedure is also irreversible Despite these factors, recontouring remains a viable option for a smile makeover.
Braces
Braces are commonly used by younger patients to straighten uneven adult teeth. This isn’t limited to kids only as many adults also utilize braces and clear aligners to correct problems with crooked/overcrowded teeth or an uneven bite. There are a few options when it comes to braces, which includes the following:
Ceramic Crowns
The most popular use is to protect weak or damaged teeth, but they may also be used to cover mishaps or coloured teeth. Crowns are probably the rock stars of restorative procedures as it is a fast simple and affordable way to restore a tooth’s function and appearance. Additionally, crowns may be used to supplement other dental prosthetics like bridges or implants. Ceramic is the most commonly used due to its similar colouration to natural teeth.
To get a ceramic crown typically involves two visits: one for examination, fitting, and preparation, and one for installation. Some dental offices have the capability to fit, manufacturer, and install crowns the same day, using dental digital impressions and an in-office milling machine. Others prefer to have crowns manufactured at a lab.
Bridges
Bridges are dental prosthetics used to fill in gaps created by missing teeth. A conventional bridge consists of one or more false teeth, supported on both sides by crowns capped onto existing teeth or surgically installed implants. It typically requires two visits to fit a bridge. The first visit is to prepare the supporting teeth for the incoming crowns. The dentist will drill these teeth down, using local anaesthesia to minimize discomfort.
Next, the digital impressions are taken and sent to a lab, where the crowns and bridges will be manufactured. The patient will receive a temporary bridge to wear during the interim. When the permanent bridge is ready, the patient will return to have it cemented in place. A less intensive option is a resin-bonded bridge. In this instance, the replacement tooth is supported on thin metal plates glued to the insides of the adjacent teeth. While not as durable as a conventional bridge, the upside of a resin-bonded bridge is that the adjacent teeth don’t need to be shaved down.
Are ready for a smile makeover?
Now that you have a better understanding and grasp of the different smile makeover procedures, it’s time to take the first step towards a brighter healthier smile. As you can see whether you need extensive restorative work or minor cosmetic adjustments there are numerous options available for completing your smile makeover. Talk to us at The Dental Room to get your journey started.