Your favourite film star probably has an enviably perfect smile, so what dental procedures do celebrities use to perfect their pearly whites? Read on to discover the answers in this article. But cosmetic dentistry isn’t only for the rich and famous. These days, anyone can achieve their dream smile, and it is never too late to have your teeth fixed. Dental cosmetics can subtly improve the appearance of teeth or create more significant changes. It is up to you to decide what will suit you best.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry uses cosmetically oriented dental treatments to improve the appearance of teeth. Some cosmetic dental treatments will only provide aesthetic benefits, for example, teeth whitening, but others can provide oral health benefits, protecting and preserving natural teeth or replacing them entirely, using treatments provided by a restoration dentist. The treatments used in cosmetics dentistry utilise the latest materials and techniques, providing natural-looking and long-lasting treatment outcomes. A good cosmetic dentist uses a blend of artistry and science to design and create teeth that will complement your appearance and function properly, making it easy for you to bite and chew food thoroughly.
Why Consider Cosmetic Dentistry?
There are many reasons people consider cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry, and some will have been unhappy with the appearance of their teeth for years. These include teeth that are stained and discoloured or that are cracked, chipped and worn. Sometimes teeth are not an ideal size or shape or have unsightly gaps between them. Other times, teeth may be missing entirely due to trauma or disease or are congenitally missing.
Well-designed cosmetic dental treatments can correct these problems, creating an aesthetically appealing smile. When your smile looks good, it can help to boost self-confidence levels.
What Are My Options for Cosmetic Dentistry?
There are several options available, including:
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Dental implants
Each treatment works differently and may be used independently or in combination with other procedures. Combining different procedures can sometimes be desirable, providing a more aesthetically pleasing and conservative treatment option.
How Popular Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular as more people recognise the benefits of having a beautiful smile. One of our most frequently requested procedures at Tandara Dental is teeth whitening. It is fast, affordable and highly effective.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is ideal for anyone with strong and healthy teeth that are an attractive shape but have become discoloured. Teeth can become stained due to lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking coffee, tea and red wine, or as an effect of ageing. We use PolaOffice teeth whitening, a gentle yet fast whitening system providing results in less than an hour. All you have to do is relax in our dental practice while we apply the professional strength whitening gel. No UV light is needed to activate the gel as it gets to work immediately. Within a short while, your teeth are visibly brighter and whiter by several shades.
Alternatively, we can supply a bespoke take-home whitening kit. Your PolaNight kit includes custom whitening trays and professional-strength whitening gel safe for home use. You simply wear the trays as instructed overnight or for a few hours each day for a couple of weeks. The kit is a great idea if you have slightly sensitive teeth and find it more comfortable to whiten slowly. You can also re-use the trays to top up the results.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are very popular as they can create stunning smiles. Veneers consist of a thin shell of material, fitting over the front and sides of a tooth. They can hide a myriad of imperfections that include stained, worn or chipped teeth and slightly crooked teeth. Veneers can close or minimise unsightly gaps between teeth. Some people choose to have all their upper and lower front teeth veneered, while others will opt for just a few strategically placed veneers, covering only those teeth that are less than perfect.
Porcelain veneers are hard wearing and should last 10 or more years with the proper care. They are a treatment that can be easily combined with teeth whitening, first bleaching your teeth before placing veneers on teeth that will not whiten so well or have imperfections you wish to hide.
Crowns
A crown is sometimes called a cap because it covers or caps a severely damaged tooth right down to the gumline, so none of the original tooth is visible. Our dentist may recommend you have a crown if you need root canal treatment or have a tooth that is significantly decayed or broken down. Crowns can also be useful to protect teeth damaged by a severe injury, and where much of the original tooth structure is missing. The crown restores strength and structure and creates a natural-looking tooth. A dental crown is also used to cover a single dental implant.
We can provide aesthetically pleasing crowns made from the highest quality porcelains. Often, the best results are obtained by having a metal-free or all-ceramic crown. An all-ceramic crown allows light to pass through the crown in a very similar way to natural teeth, resulting in a tooth that looks entirely real. Our dentists take considerable care when designing crowns, ensuring they look good and function properly, helping to maintain the proper bite and working harmoniously with other teeth, ensuring you can chew food comfortably.
Dental Implants
Tooth loss is very common, and dental implants are the ultimate form of tooth replacement, providing people with a long-term solution that looks and feels good. Dental implants are a state-of-the-art treatment providing cosmetic teeth that function just like the real thing.
An implant consists of a small titanium post inserted surgically into the jawbone where it closely replicates a real tooth root. It only takes a few months for the bone to grow around the implant, fusing it firmly in place. The result is a strong anchorage point to which we attach an abutment. The abutment then supports an implant crown.
Treatment is very versatile, and if you have multiple missing teeth that are side-by-side, we don’t need to replace each one with an implant. Instead, we can use two or more implants to support an implant bridge. It is even possible to restore a complete arch of teeth, providing strong, stable teeth with similar biting strength to natural teeth. Implant crowns and bridges are non-removable and can only be taken out by our dentist for any necessary maintenance and professional cleaning.
Another option is an implant-supported denture, where a denture clips onto the implants, providing a greater biting strength and teeth that will not slip or move out of place. With an implant denture, you can remove the denture for easy cleaning. It is an affordable choice as relatively few implants are needed to support a full denture.
How Can I Tell Which Treatments Will Help Me Most?
If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, visit us at Tandara Dental. Our dentist will examine your mouth, listen to your concerns, and discuss your budget before devising a suitable treatment plan. We will explain every possible option so you understand the predicted outcome and how it will help achieve your aim.
Once you have your new smile, visit us regularly for checkups and cleanings. Ongoing preventive dental care will help ensure your new smile looks fabulous for longer.
