A person's smile can have a massive impact on their life. In fact, some surveys suggest nearly
40 percent of young adults find life less satisfying because of their teeth.
Cosmetic dental procedures can help. They can completely change the way a person looks and feels.
But it isn't always easy to know how to get a better smile.
We're here to help. We've laid out a guide to cosmetic dentistry. And we've nailed down the top ways to get a beautiful smile.
Read on for the top 8 popular procedures to consider for a better smile.
Why a Smile Matters
A person's smile affects self-esteem and perceptions from others. It can even impact someone's likelihood to get a job.
Some studies suggest more than a quarter of young people feel their teeth hurt their ability to interview for a job.
And the importance of a good smile goes well beyond looks. Surveys show as much as
35 percent of young adults have problems chewing or biting.
That could also lead to added oral health problems. And almost
75 percent of Americans say they would trust someone with a nice smile over someone with a good job, nice outfit, or car.
But people who don't like their smiles are discovering cosmetic dentistry in increasing numbers. For a new smile teeth can be completely reformed, straightened, and brightened.
How to Get a Better Smile
Luckily, anyone wondering how to get a better smile has plenty of options. New techniques are making it easier than ever to boost oral health and overall wellness.
Here are the top 8 popular procedures for perfect pearly whites:
1. Braces
Braces can help people straighten out crooked teeth, but they can also help things like bite and chewing comfort. They can fix things like crowded teeth. And they can even help line up a person's jaw.
Braces put pressure on teeth to reform a person's smile.
They usually are put in place by a dentist or orthodontist. And they're made up of brackets that fix onto the teeth. These brackets are typically made out of plastic, metal, or ceramic material.
But there are also less noticeable options when it comes to braces. There are invisible braces that are made out of transparent materials.
And in some cases dentists can put lingual braces in place. These braces hook to the back of the teeth, so they're more discrete.
The process of reforming teeth with braces usually includes two stages. The first is where the person wears the bracketed braces. Next, they can wear a retainer to hold teeth in their new places.
2. Teeth Whitening
Teeth can lose their luster over time. Stains from things like coffee or smoking can darken a person's smile.
But teeth whitening can restore or brighten a person's teeth. This type of cosmetic dentistry uses chemical treatments to lighten the color of teeth.
Dentists can bleach the teeth to whiten them, or they can build tooth whitening mouthpieces. The process usually involves using peroxide on the teeth.
In-office whitening sessions might be completed in a few visits. And at home procedures tend to take around a few weeks to a month.
3. Gum Surgery
Gum surgery is a way to repair an uneven gum line or gums that are in bad shape.
Typically, the surgeon will reform gums using tissue from other parts of the mouth. Most of they time, that tissue is transferred from a person's palate.
Gum surgery can be a good way to fix scars or gums that have fallen victim to disease.
4. Dental Crowns
Crowns are designed to go over a tooth. They are meant to add structure to the teeth so they look and function like normal.
Dental crowns can be used to keep a bridge in place or to protect a weak tooth from rigid foods. People can also use dental crowns to cover up teeth that are discolored, broken, or worn down.
5. Dentures
Dentures can completely change the way a person looks and feels. That's because they basically replace full sets of teeth.
They are meant for people who have lost several or all of their teeth. And they can be made out of things like metal, porcelain, or acrylic resin.
Often times they are removable. That means the wearer might need something to help them stick to their gums.
But a good pair of dentures can look similar to natural teeth and make speaking or chewing much more pleasant.
6. Bonding
Bonding is a good option for anyone wanting to fill in large spaces in their teeth. That's because bonding fills in spaces with a hardening solution.
This also means dentists can use bonding to fix chipped teeth or even to repair little cavities. It's also a good way to stop residue from hitting an exposed root. And that could guard against having to have a
root canal from infection later on.
Most of the time, dentists can finish a bonding treatment in a single office visit.
7. Dental Implants
Dental implants can be an intense procedure. But it can be a more permanent option for someone who wants to add or replace teeth.
The surgeon first embeds a metal post in the gums as an anchor. Then a crown tooth is fixed to the post.
The result can be real-looking teeth that are secured in a person's mouth and part of their new smile.
8. Veneers
Anyone wondering how to get a beautiful smile that lasts longer should consider veneers. Veneers are specially-fitted shells that cover the front of teeth.
They can be used to repair chipped teeth or bring a bright, natural appearance to worn and discolored teeth.
This can be one of the most customized cosmetic dental procedures. The dentist starts by getting a mold of the patient's teeth. From there, the dentist buffs the tooth and fixes the veneer to it.
And veneers are usually made of porcelain or plastic.
The Next Step in Securing New Smile Teeth
These top 8 ways how to get a better smile are great options for tooth improvements or repair. And we have new smile dentists who can make a better smile reality.
Want to learn more about having one of these procedures done?
Click here to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services.
