That said, if the crux of your dental problem has more to do with discoloration, missing teeth, or chipped/cracked teeth, most cosmetic dentists are capable of remediating such dental problems. One dental restoration option that is gaining a lot of attention lately is dental veneers. What are they, exactly? Well, they are thin, custom-made shells that are made from tooth-colored material and designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, improving their appearance.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PROFESSION TOOTH WHITENING?
It’s important to note that dental veneers may be cost-prohibitive for some individuals. If this is the case for you, tooth whitening is another great option for achieving a great smile, provided your teeth are otherwise healthy. This relatively simple process involves the use of one of two bleaches, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These unique bleaches work by breaking up the stains on the surface of your teeth, which, in turn, makes the discoloration less pronounce.
Of course, there are teeth whitening kits that can be purchased for home use, but there is something to be said for having your teeth professionally whitened. What are the pros of having a dental practitioner whiten your teeth for you? Well, the difference is two-fold; in-office whitening systems often contain a higher concentration of the active ingredients needed to whiten your teeth faster, typically 15% to 43% of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whereas home kits only contain 3% to 20%. Also, a dental practitioner may use heat/lights to intensify the whitening process, providing not only faster but also better results.
CAN CLEAR ALIGNERS IMPROVE CROOKED TEETH?
Similar to wire braces, clear aligners are a great way to improve crooked teeth, but there is a caveat. They can only be prescribed by dentists and orthodontists. Additionally, they may not always be ideal. Clear aligners like Invisalign, for example, can be used to correct overbites as well as gapped or crowded teeth, but they are not a viable solution for correcting exceptionally crooked teeth, crossbites, or malocclusions. In these instances, metal braces are a much better alternative. The same holds true for cracked or chipped teeth; in these cases, dental crowns would be more suitable. Nonetheless, you should speak with your dental practitioner who can outline a course of treatment that will be most effective based on the condition of your teeth.
DOES A GREAT SMILE EQUAL A BETTER LIFE?
If you’re still on the fence about improving the appearance of your teeth, here are some sobering statistics that will hopefully encourage you to consider the dental makeover you’ve been putting off. According to an article found on keltonglobal.com, more than 38 percent of Americans believed that those with crooked teeth lead dull, uninteresting lives.
In addition, the study took a look at the role that teeth played when it came to making a good first impression, especially amongst those looking to date. Of those surveyed, 57% admitted to preferring someone with an “attractive” smile. In fact, many participants admitted that they preferred perfect teeth over clear, blemish-free skin.
Again, this article is in no way an attempt to sway you in one direction or the other; it is, moreover, an attempt to showcase the mindset of certain individuals and the manner in which they assess the intelligence, character, and the desirability of others. With that said, if your goal is to conform to society’s standards of perfection, improve your self-esteem, or improve the functionality of your teeth, you’re encouraged to do your due diligence and find a quality cosmetic dentist/orthodontist to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
