Cosmetic Dentistry 101: The Solution to Almost All Your Dental Problems

Introduction

There are worse things in life than having imperfect teeth. For instance, you could be mugged on the street while walking home after work, or you could miss the subway when you’re already late for your meeting across town. Those things can no longer be changed, but your teeth still have hope.

Of course, not everyone has the privilege to go to the dentist whenever they wish to get something done. Aside from that, not everyone has dental coverage provided by their employers. But even if you don’t have all that, you can still do something about the teeth you aren’t so proud to have.

You could whine and curse the heavens about why they didn’t give you better teeth, or you can schedule a trip to the dentist’s clinic. Unlike a lot of things in life, there’s something you can do to change how your teeth look if you’re not happy with them. Sure, it may cost you, but with the confidence boost you’ll get from having better teeth, the upfront expenses will be worth it.

But you can’t just sit on the dental chair and expect the dentist to work their magic. You must know what procedure you want to be done. And to do that, you need to know what your options are so that you can make the right decision.

Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Here are three cosmetic procedures you can choose from.

Straighten

A lot of people stop themselves from smiling too wide too often just because they have crooked teeth. Fortunately, orthodontists have managed to create an easy solution to this common dental problem so that people can smile their toothy grins without having to worry about being shamed by others.

Traditionally, the only way to straighten teeth was by using metal wires and brackets. Braces were the go-to solution for every child with crooked teeth, and some even having to wear headgear to re-align their jaws. Through time, the traditional metal braces were joined by ceramic and lingual braces.

The more modern approach to teeth straightening was introduced through the Invisalign treatment. Basically, these are clear aligners that function the same way braces do; only the former are removable. With this option, you won’t have to deal with the metal wires and brackets like other people did to make your teeth straighter.

Brighten

Teeth stains and discoloration can have many causes, such as what a person consumes, their habits, or their genetics. While pearly white teeth aren’t supposed to be the norm because everyone’s teeth are different, you also can’t blame other people for wanting to have their own pearly whites.

Wanting to have whiter and brighter teeth is only acceptable if you’re doing it for yourself, not because society dictates you to do so. That said, the demand for teeth whitening is everywhere, even when you aren’t looking. In fact, you might see teeth whitening toothpaste more often than just regular toothpaste nowadays.

But drugstore teeth whitening kits can only do so much for your teeth stains. If you truly want to get rid of the stains on your teeth or fix the discoloration, you must seek professional help. At least this way, your dentist can help you address the much larger issue at hand—why you’re getting stains in the first place.

Aside from teeth whitening procedures, you can also get veneers if you prefer to cover up the flaws instead. In essence, dental veneers are custom-made shells that are placed on the front of the tooth. They are thin enough not to obscure your mouth and can make your teeth appear naturally white.

Repair

Chips and cracks or a missing tooth can all hinder a person from showing off their real smile. These imperfections, however minor, can make someone lose their confidence and dampen their self-esteem. That’s why it’s a good thing that dentists have also found a way to solve this all-too-common problem.

Through a dental implant procedure, people with a missing or damaged tooth can restore their tooth’s former glory. When inserting an implant underneath the gums, dentists use a screw, an abutment, and a dental crown to secure the implant in place. Among the usual teeth replacement procedures, implants often feel the most natural.

For chips, cracks, and other damages, dentists usually recommend placing a crown on top of the existing tooth. But before the permanent crown is secured in place, the outer portion of the tooth is removed to make some room. Dental crowns also help stop further decay and degradation of worn-down teeth.

The Takeaway

Your flaws and imperfections are what make you you; having them won’t make you any less of a person. But if you’re not satisfied with how you look, of course, you always have the freedom to change that. Just make sure that you’re doing it for yourself and not because of the external pressures to conform to the conventional beauty standards.