Nothing makes a first good impression quite like a healthy and friendly smile. Radiating confidence and warmth, a smile can speak volumes about a person without them saying a word.
Unfortunately, not everyone is naturally blessed with a perfectly proportioned and straight set of pearly whites. From overbites to crookedness, discoloration to gaps, there can be a whole host of reasons why you might want to tend to your teeth.
To help you find the right treatment for you this article will highlight some of the most common cosmetic dental procedures that are available.
Braces
Orthodontics have come a long way since the days of unsightly metal braces which can add to one feeling self-conscious about their smile.
With a range of discrete alternatives on the market which are cleverly disguised to blend with your teeth, braces need no longer hold the stigma they once used to, nor be exclusively for children only.
Treatments such as ceramic braces, Six Month Smiles or Invisalign clear aligners offer you the option to straighten your teeth whilst wearing less noticeable or invisible braces.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are made from ceramic or porcelain and fit onto the front of the teeth to create a new surface. The finished result is a homogeneous looking smile.
The whole process usually takes a few weeks from consulting to fitting and involves filing down the tooth enamel to prevent the veneers sticking out too much and to allow them to bond to the tooth effectively.
This procedure is ideal for people who have chipped or broken teeth, discoloration that can’t be resolved by bleaching, or small teeth and if well looked after, veneers can last around a decade.
Bleaching
A common treatment that can now be done at home, tooth bleaching or whitening,is a relatively quick and inexpensive way to achieve a glowing smile.It is ideal for people who already have healthy, aligned teeth that do not require much correction or for people who do not want to invest too much on a dental procedure.
Most dentists, such as Eastport Dental in NE Calgary, offer teeth whitening procedures and it is best to consult with them before trying an over-the-counter bleach yourself.
Dental Contouring
Dental contouring, also known as odontoplasty or enameloplasty, deals with the reshaping of the tooth’s enamel.
The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of enamel to improve misshapen, overly long or chipped teeth to create a more uniform appearance. To undergo this procedure your teeth must be healthy and strong and the enamel must be thick enough to withstand removal. Although rare, the risk is that too much enamel is removed leaving the tooth prone to decay or breakage.
Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that addresses cracked, broken or stained teeth by applying a soft resin which is hardened with a special light, bonding it to the tooth.
Bonding is one of the least expensive and simplest cosmetic dental procedures and can also be used to close gaps as well increase the length of teeth.
Although bonding can last several years, the resin material used in this procedure is not as strong as a healthy tooth and can break or chip from biting or chewing on hard food.
With these five cosmetic dental procedures on the market a celebrity smile need no longer be exclusively for the rich and famous.
