Cosmetic Dentistry for a striking smile
Cosmetic dentistry is all about your enhancing your smile. Man-made devices are custom-made for your mouth and made to look so genuine and legitimate, that no one should know otherwise. The aim of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth, gums, bite and smile. Due to an increase in technology, cosmetic dentistry is the latest beauty trend when dealing with the aesthetics of your mouth. We’ve compiled a list of the most common cosmetic dental treatments and made it easier for you to determine if it’s something you should consider.
Teeth Whitening
Apparently, nothing you wear is more important than your smile, and when it comes to smiling from the heart, your teeth are the first accessory people see. Because this first impression is vital when meeting someone for the first time, your smile should be too! Wanting whiter teeth is no new quest for mankind and can be traced back to the early civilisation of man. Basic treatments included chewing on frayed branches to scrape off unwanted particles; using hog’s hair as a bristle to clean between the gaps in your teeth; and even Ancient Egyptians whitening paste consisting of white vinegar and ground pumice stone. The ancient Romans took this even further and added urine to their concoction. Thankfully, in the 21stcentury we can literally sit back and wait while our teeth become a brighter white. Zoom! Teeth Whitening has revolutionised the process of making teeth whiter and produces results in as little as two hours. The procedure is performed in-office and, in most cases, over two appointments. In the first appointment, your teeth will be assessed, checked and cleaned. Based on the state of your oral health and minimal stain or discolouration, Zoom! may be your best route to whiter teeth. If it’s a ‘go’ from the dentist, your second appointment will involve a rubber dam being placed on your gums to protect them. The whitening gel is then applied to your teeth and activated by a blue LED light. This light is used three times at 15-minute intervals and by the end of your treatment, your teeth should be eight to ten shades lighter. We’d highly recommend a professional facilitate the procedure so as to not dry out your teeth, but rather do it correctly the first and only time. You’re a candidate for teeth whitening if you have healthy gum tissue, and will respond even better if you have yellow tones in your teeth. People who have fillings or restorations, however, may not experience as successful a treatment.
Veneers
If you have discoloured, chipped or cracked teeth, dental veneers may be just the solution to enhancing your natural smile. As thin as a contact lens, porcelain shell veneers are crafted to suit your mouth and are tooth-coloured, so they appear completely natural. In your initial consultation with a dentist, they would assess your overall dental health to make sure you are free of cavities, gum disease and tooth decay. During your follow-up appointment, the dentist will shave your teeth to prepare the teeth’s surface for the veneer bonding; and to make sure it is the correct shape and size. After removing a small amount of your tooth enamel, an impression will be taken of your teeth and a digital veneer creation will follow. Veneers can be bonded to many teeth and are completely custom-made for your requirements. Once the veneers are bonded, they are shaped and polished and will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Veneers can last anywhere between five to ten years, and should be a consideration if you have chipped; gapped; stained; discoloured; misaligned; broken or crooked teeth.
Smile Makeover
The crème de la crème of cosmetic dentistry is a smile makeover. In short, it is treatment that combines the best of all cosmetic dentistry to give you a near-perfect smile. In most cases, a smile makeover encompasses dental implants, porcelain veneers and finally, some teeth whitening. With meticulous attention to detail, a smile makeover requires patience to achieve the best overall look. A specialised prosthodontist will need to examine the anatomy of your teeth including their length and the gum position. Smile makeovers are totally unique and each individual requires their own plan of treatment. You are a great candidate for a smile makeover if you have damaged; missing; misaligned; discoloured or generally unappealing teeth. A bonus to a smile makeover is that it not only improves the appearance but also the function of your teeth.
Consider the way you’d like to look when you smile and then think of the multiple options available to you. Dr Jim. Ironside from Ironside Advanced Dental in Sydney, is one of Australia’s prominent prosthodontists, meaning he is committed to giving you a beautiful, natural-looking smile, through high-quality dental care. If you are considering a cosmetic dental treatment, give his team a call today and book an appointment.
All surgical procedures carry risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.