Did you know that around the world each year, nearly
$1 billion is spent on teeth whitening strips
alone? All told, products and procedures totaling $11 billion are used annually to make our teeth whiter and brighter.
Purchasing a package of over-the-counter whitening strips can boost your confidence before a job interview or big date. Whitening your teeth at home is also an easy way to reverse some of the damage done by drinking lots of coffee, cola, or red wine, or from smoking cigarettes.
However, you may have additional cosmetic dental issues to deal with. In addition to being stained, dingy, or yellowing, are your teeth also crooked, chipped, or cracked? Do you have large gaps between your teeth? Have you lost teeth because of cavities or accidents?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you might be a good candidate for a smile makeover. Read on to learn about how you can improve your smile!
What Is a Smile Makeover?
If you have ever watched
makeover shows on television
, you know that they feature several procedures. Their subjects receive advice on how to dress in trendy but flattering ways and usually go home with a new wardrobe.
They also have their hair cut and colored. They may even receive cosmetic surgery, or at the very least are taught how to use makeup to bring out their best features and minimize unattractive ones.
A
smile makeover
is similar. It doesn't just correct one problem that affects the mouth's appearance; it tackles several issues in order to give you a radiant, but also natural looking, smile. Let's take a look at some of the procedures that are used in smile makeovers.
Teeth Whitening
Yellow, gray, stained, or discolored teeth are unsightly. They can add years to your appearance, as well. That's because years of damage from dark beverages and foods, as well as from smoking or chewing tobacco, can leave teeth much darker than their original state.
While at home teeth whitening kits are effective up to a point, they simply don't work as well as teeth whitening services provided by a cosmetic dentist as part of a smile makeover package.
If you need to whiten your teeth more than a shade or two, it's best to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. They can help you achieve a brighter smile that still looks natural.
Dental Bonding
What if your teeth are not just stained or discolored, but also chipped or broken? No matter what the cause, broken, chipped, or cracked teeth don't let you make a very good first impression. That's where dental bonding can help.
Dental bonding is a fairly straightforward procedure in which a composite resin is used to repair your teeth. This is a strong, durable, and natural looking material that is the same one used to fill holes left by cavities.
Dental bonding is perfect for minor chips, snags, cracks, or other issues affecting the appearance of the teeth.
Invisalign
Next up on the menu of options for those who want to make over their smiles is Invisalign. You may have heard of this treatment, which is an alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign is perfect for dental patients who have alignment issues, like crooked teeth or crowded teeth.
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gently and gradually move your teeth into a better position. You wear the aligners almost all the time, removing them only to eat and brush your teeth. As the name implies, they are virtually invisible to others!
Using Invisalign to correct placement or alignment issues is ideal for anyone who doesn't want their smile marred by metal braces, like adult patients.
Dental Implants
Think of
dental implants
like extremely high-quality replacement teeth. They are affixed using metal posts that screw into your jawbone and act just like your natural teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, they do not require extra care or cleaning.
Dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from your other, natural teeth. If you are missing teeth, or need to have teeth pulled due to decay, consider dental implants as a valuable tool in your smile makeover toolkit.
Dental Veneers
Lastly, dental veneers can rectify a range of problems with your smile. This procedure really does represent the ultimate in a smile makeover, since it can completely transform the way your mouth looks.
Veneers are ultra-thin shells made from a cosmetic resin material in the shape of teeth. They adhere to the front of your natural teeth. With proper care, dental veneers can last for years, giving you a beautiful smile all the while!
Who is a good candidate for dental veneers? In short, anyone with cosmetic issues that cannot be addressed by the other procedures we've mentioned here. Such issues could include missing teeth, multiple gaps or excessively wide gaps between the teeth, extensive chipping and cracking, and/or extensive staining and discoloration.
There are some dental patients whose teeth are stained from antibiotic use as a child, disease, or other reasons. For these people, tooth whitening will not work. Dental veneers, however, are ideal in this instance.
Dental veneers can be used on just one or two teeth, or for many teeth. It depends on the effect you want to achieve. Speak with your cosmetic dentist about the possibilities.
In Closing
Aren't sure which of these smile makeover procedures are the best ones to help you achieve the smile of your dreams? Not to worry--that's where we come in! Sparkle Dental is happy to sit down with you and discuss your options.
Contact us
today to request a consultation, or if you require a second opinion or emergency dental care.
