Are you self-conscious about your smile? Perhaps your teeth are yellow, chipped, crooked, or missing. Maybe they were pushed out of alignment by sucking your thumb as a child, or you suffered dental trauma as a result of an accident. Whatever the reason, if you’re not confident about your smile, your overall sense of self, as well as dental health, can suffer.
The most important thing you can do is to book in with a trusted dentist and ask their professional advice. You may be surprised to learn that you’re not alone when it comes to insecurities about smiling. Not everyone was born with a celebrity smile – not even celebrities! Here are six ways you can get the beautiful, winning smile you deserve.
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants can be a great solution for partial or missing teeth. Placed into the jawbone beneath your gums, dental implants are metal posts that provide a stable base for dentures or bridges.
Dentures and bridges are mounted onto implants, which means they won’t slip or shift when you’re talking or eating. It also means that the crowns placed over implants feel more natural and comfortable than conventional dentures or bridges.
Because dental implants are specially designed to fuse with bone, they are permanent. So you’ll have teeth that look, feel, and behave like natural ones. Any slurring or mumbling could be a thing of the past.
2. Crowns
A crown or dental cap is a form of dental restoration when you have a cavity in your tooth. The crown surrounds the tooth or dental implant, using dental cement as a bonding agent.
Crowns are the ideal solution for strengthening weak teeth. It protects them from breaking and restores any broken ones. A crown can be used to cover a dental implant, attach a bridge, or hold fillings. They’re perfect for covering discolouration or restoring teeth to their natural shape and size.
Also, crowns usually last between five and 15 years. This longevity makes them a cost-effective solution to protect and enhance the appearance of your smile.
3. Veneers
If you have teeth that are chipped, stained, or uneven, veneers could be ideal. They’re a thin layer of porcelain that’s permanently bonded to your teeth.
After having veneers done, your smile will look natural and healthy. The position, colour, and shape of your teeth will instantly improve. If you want to alter the appearance of one discoloured tooth, a dentist can match the precise shade of porcelain.
A veneer also will make a chipped tooth look whole again. Veneers are useful to fill in small gaps when orthodontic braces aren’t the best option. They can also be fitted to align one tooth with others.
Finally, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant. You can choose a particular shade to make any dark teeth appear whiter.
4. Teeth Whitening
A popular cosmetic dental procedure, teeth whitening helps to remove stains and discolouration by lightening the natural colour of your teeth. Whitening doesn’t completely change the colour of your teeth, but it can lighten your existing shade.
As we age, and when drinking coffee or red wine, our teeth become discoloured. You could also find that eating certain foods and smoking will create stains.
However, by having a whiter, younger-looking smile, you could find your confidence and self-esteem naturally improve. You may notice that you smile more confidently after treatment. When you smile more, you produce endorphins, the feel-good chemicals. This, in turn, raises your mood and lowers stress levels.
Patients who have their whitening treatments take more care of their oral health. Brushing, flossing, and booking more hygienist appointments are just some of the ways you can take more care of your teeth.
5. Orthodontics
Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment if your teeth are crooked, protruding, or crowded. Crowded or crooked misalignment can mean that your teeth don’t meet properly when eating. You may find it difficult to keep your mouth and gums clean. There’s also a risk that your teeth could become damaged.
Your dentist will probably fit you with orthodontic braces. These will correct any dental crowding and gradually straighten your teeth. Braces also encourage your front and back teeth to meet evenly, reducing any damage to prominent teeth. Orthodontics can enhance your appearance, including your smile.
For children, it’s best to start orthodontic treatment around 12 years old after most adult teeth have come through. Adults can have treatment at any age although options are more limited.
6. Partial and Full Dentures
In some cases where teeth are missing, your dentist may recommend a full or partial denture. This is a removable replacement made of plastic, nylon or metal. If all teeth are missing, you would have a full denture. A partial denture is best fitted when some teeth remain.
Gaps left by missing teeth can cause problems with your speech or eating. Teeth either side of the gap may grow into it but at an angle. Your dentist may remove the teeth that are causing a problem then take measurements of it. A mould will then be made as the basis for your dentures.
Dentures are designed to fit tightly over your jawbone and gums, replacing any missing teeth. They support your facial structure by helping to prevent remaining teeth from moving further. Most importantly, you’ll have a set of fully functioning teeth that look natural and fit comfortably.
What You Can Do
You can do your bit to look after your dental health by brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, cutting down on sugar and alcohol – plus avoiding smoking. Your dentist will always be happy to advise you on what’s best for your dental health.
And then, the most important step: schedule a dental appointment! Contact our dental office in NW Calgary to schedule an appointment to determine which treatments are right for you. We will get you smiling again in no time.