We know how a terrible smile can affect a person’s confidence over time- from being called ugly duckling to being without friends.
Want to improve your smile? See what braces, crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, bridges, implants, gum reshaping — or even a complete dental makeover — can do for your smile.
Dental braces are devices used to correct crowded or crooked teeth, or a misaligned jaw, known as malocclusion.
Braces are most often used during adolescence, but more and more adults are getting corrective dental braces later in life.
Braces are made of metal or ceramic, wires, and bonding material that attaches them to your teeth. An orthodontist is a doctor who specializes in this kind of device and treatment for misaligned teeth.
Success rates of braces vary depending on your age when treatment begins and what your treatment goals are.
Dental crowns are caps placed on top of damaged teeth. Crowns are used to protect, cover and restore the shape of your teeth when fillings don’t solve the problem. Dental crowns can be made out of metals, porcelain, resin and ceramics. They typically don’t require special care over time other than regular good oral hygiene.
Veneers are thin coverings that are placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth. They look like natural teeth. Veneers can be used to correct a wide range of dental issues, such as: teeth that are stained and can’t be whitened by bleaching
Tooth whitening or tooth bleaching is the process of lightening the color of human teeth. Whitening is often desirable when teeth become yellowed over time for a number of reasons, and can be achieved by changing the intrinsic or extrinsic color of the tooth enamel
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close — or bridge — the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close — or bridge — the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.
Gum contouring is a procedure, done by a dental specialist, that reshapes or resculpts your gumline.
The process of gum contouring involves cutting away or removing excess gum tissue around your teeth. If you have gum recession, the procedure involves restoring gum tissue.
In many cases, gum contouring is an elective procedure. This means that it isn’t medically necessary. Instead, it’s done to improve the look of the gums, teeth, or smile.
But there may be times when your dentist recommends gum contouring for oral health reasons.
In conclusion, full dental makeover involves restorative dentistry (for procedures such as dental bridges, dental crowns, and veneers); gum treatment, which involves the services of specialist dentists and periodontists; and cosmetic dentistry for orthodontic treatments, which requires the services of orthodontists and dentists.
Follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure the long-term beauty of your new smile, and be sure to keep all follow-up and regular cleaning appointments with your dentist and hygienist.