A great smile is about more than just appearances — in fact, appearances are about much more than just appearances. Your smile communicates who you are to other people, and your level of comfort around them. In genera, people get a message of confidence from those with great smiles. It’s no wonder that 74% of people believe that a poor smile can hurt their career success. A recent survey of people over 50 indicates that these people agree that a smile is the one thing that remains the most attractive throughout life. Sometimes, however, no matter how much we brush our teeth and floss, they still don’t look as nice as we would want them too. While some imperfections with teeth can be overlooked, others are very noticeable. These issues include discoloration, crookedness, and in some cases even missing teeth. Indeed, some problems are purely cosmetic — but many affect not only the way your teeth look, but the way they perform. Thankfully, for almost every tooth problem there is a solution. But these solutions can’t always be found at your regular family dentist’s office. Often, you’ll need to turn to a cosmetic dentist, and in some cases even one that specializes in restorative dentistry. Let’s look into a few of the options available for those in need of cosmetic dentistry.
Porcelain Veneers
If you’ve heard of any type of cosmetic dentistry before, it’s probably porcelain veneers. Veneers are not restorative pieces — they don’t affect the performance of your teeth, and if you have a serious issue with your teeth you will probably need a more drastic solution. But veneers are extremely popular for a reason, with thousands of people choosing them each year. Essentially, veneers are placed over your original teeth. They give the look of perfect — but natural — teeth without being extremely invasive. Many people prefer porcelain veneers simply because they don’t have to be permanent if you don’t want them to be. Although the majority of those that choose veneers love them, they can be removed if need be. They aren’t permanent, but they do last for years — often around five to seven — before needing to be replaced. Veneers are great for people with, say, severe discoloration in their teeth or people with misshapen teeth. With 32% of people reporting that they’re concerned about the looks of their teeth, porcelain veneers could be the perfect solution.
Teeth Straightening
Many of us deal with crooked teeth. It’s not anything you can prevent, having to do with genetics and the formation of your mouth. While some crooked teeth are barely noticeable, others are glaringly obvious. Often, when people have crooked teeth, they are corrected through braces. Braces are placed in the mouth during childhood, and while they can be a bit embarrassing, for many kids they are seen as a rite of passage. However, clunky metal braces can be a bit more difficult for adults to deal with. Many adults are ashamed of having to wear braces, and certainly they can make you look younger than you are — and not in a good way. Luckily, there are Invisalign braces available. Invisalign braces are clearly and essentially invisible to the naked eye when worn. You can wear your braces, have your teeth straightened, and not have to worry about everyone knowing. These are great options for people who want to have some relatively non-invasive straightening done.
Teeth Whitening
Don’t take another look at those home teeth whitening kits. These are essentially wastes of money, and for that matter not as safe and controlled as professional teeth whitening sessions. Everyone wants white teeth, but our teeth can be discolored by a number of things — ranging from coffee to every bit of food that you eat. Teeth whitening sessions are not invasive and they’re rather quick, with results showing up soon after. The thing about options like these is that they don’t require much effort on your part — but they yield amazing results.