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Smile Solutions: How to Fix a Bad Smile
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Are you unhappy with your teeth and bad smile? You’re not alone: half of UK adults feel the same way. So much so that they feel that their teeth already affect both their personal and work life.
With that said, it’s no wonder that many Britons are considering cosmetic dentistry. Indeed, a recent survey found that four in 10 UK adults would like to undergo such procedures.
To that end, we came up with this guide covering treatments for smiles with bad teeth. Read on to learn what they are, what flaws they can correct, and how they can enhance the quality of your life.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to augment the appearance of the teeth and gums. In the UK, it’s a type of specialist dentistry. This means that one must undergo extra education to become a cosmetic dentist.
Colour correction and restoration of damaged teeth are forms of cosmetic dentistry. Teeth straightening and replacement also fall under elective aesthetic dentistry.
Are All Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Purely Aesthetic?
Not necessarily, as cosmetic dentistry can encourage better self-confidence and self-esteem. When your teeth and gums look fantastic, you’ll no doubt want to smile more. According to scientists, the act of smiling alone can indeed make you feel happier.
In addition, some cosmetic dental treatments, such as crowns, can help ease bruxism. It’s a condition characterised by an involuntary but excessive grinding of the teeth. It’s quite prevalent in the UK, affecting about 8% to 10% of the population.
Dental crowns and veneers can also give the teeth a better, stronger structure. In this way, they can help minimise the risks of future damage to the teeth.
Teeth straightening, on the other hand, can also help reduce the risks of cavities. It can do so by helping minimise the spaces in which harmful oral bacteria can settle on. Do note that at least 700 species of bacteria are in the mouth, many of which can cause dental decay.
In addition, crooked, misaligned, or gapped teeth can be more prone to trauma. For instance, they can cause an improper bite, which affects the force of your bite. This can then make you bite “too hard,” which, in turn, can chip, crack, or break your teeth.
All these oral woes are well-established causes of having lower self-esteem. However, having low self-esteem can result in a lower quality of life. Since cosmetic dentistry fixes these issues, then it can help boost the quality of your life.
What if I Have Really Bad Teeth, What Are My Options?
If you have badly damaged or worn teeth, you may want to consider a smile makeover. It’s a comprehensive program aimed to address many dental cosmetic flaws. It uses multiple procedures, such as teeth whitening, teeth restoration, and teeth replacement.
Suppose that you have cracked, chipped, and stained teeth. Let’s also say that you have a few missing teeth. If you opt for a smile makeover, your cosmetic dentist can correct all these issues.
For damaged teeth structure, your dentist may recommend crowns or veneers. For the discolouration, in-office teeth whitening will also be part of the makeover. The specialist may then advise you to get dental implants to replace your lost teeth.
In addition, a smile makeover may also entail cosmetic teeth straightening. Today, clear braces such as Invisalign are some of the most popular straighteners. What’s more, they’re safe and effective for children, teens, and adults.
What if I Only Want to Fix a Chipped or Cracked Tooth?
Were you aware that 5% of all types of injuries across all ages are oral injuries? Many of these, unfortunately, can be so severe that they cause trauma to the teeth. Tooth breakage and “knocked out” teeth are amongst the most common types of oral trauma.
Dental crowns can help restore broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. Also known as “tooth caps,” these cover the entire structure of the damaged teeth. So, not only do they help reinforce weakened teeth; they can also help cover up stains.
What Are and How Long Do Veneers Last?
Like crowns, dental veneers also cover the teeth, but they only go over the front section of the teeth. They are extremely thin shells made either of composite resin or porcelain. A bonding material secures the shell in place.
Although veneers only cover the front surface of the teeth, they can still fix minor cracks or chips. They’re also perfect for camouflaging badly stained or discoloured teeth. They can even reshape abnormally-small teeth to make all the teeth uniform in size.
Researchers say that porcelain veneers are far more durable than composite resin. They found porcelain veneers to last for up to 20 years or even longer. What’s even better is that they’re more effective in resisting stains than resin.
Can Veneers Be Too Big for My Mouth?
You may have read about how a mum from Manchester ended up with veneers too big for her mouth. Whilst it seems funny, it does highlight the importance of seeking a professional. Only cosmetic dentists should carry out the process to ensure your veneers are a perfect fit.
What About Invisalign Meaning, Uses, and Benefits?
The name “Invisalign” is a portmanteau of the words “invisible” and “align.” True enough, Invisalign retainers are almost invisible, as they use specialised thermoplastic. It’s a patented material called “SmartTrack®” that makes the retainers see-through.
The second word, “align,” refers to how the Invisalign system aligns the teeth. It functions much like traditional braces used to straighten the teeth. The biggest difference is that Invisalign retainers are inconspicuous and removable.
Below is a quick overview of the benefits of the revolutionary Invisalign system.
Removable Aligners
Invisalign’s removability makes it easy to slip them on and off before and during meals. This means that you’ll enjoy fewer dietary restrictions. If you wear traditional braces, your dentist may advise you to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky food.
The removable aligners also help ensure maximum cleaning of your teeth and gums. Without any obstruction, you can brush and floss your teeth’s surfaces more thoroughly. This is harder to do with fixed braces, as they cover a significant portion of your teeth.
Better Oral Hygiene and Health
Since you can clean your teeth and gums better, then you can also lower your risks for oral diseases. Poor oral hygiene, after all, is the primary cause of dental cavities and gum disease.
Granted, maintaining oral hygiene is doable with traditional fixed braces. However, their brackets and wires can make it more difficult to brush all the crevices of your teeth.
Correct Various Misalignment Problems
Crooked or overlapping teeth often result from having an undersized mouth. As the mouth has “too little” space, the teeth can move forward or backwards; hence, the crookedness. In some people, crooked teeth occur due to abnormal growth or eruption.
In any case, Invisalign can fix such issues by gently nudging the teeth to their proper places. In the same way, Invisalign can also correct overjets, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
No Age Restriction
Teeth straightening with Invisalign are possible for almost all ages. Most children, teens, and even older adults are often good candidates. Plus, the fact that these are nearly invisible can help make you feel less conscious about your teeth.
Quick and Efficient Results
So long as you adhere to your dentist’s instructions, you may see results within half a year. This is a case-to-case basis, though, as most minor misalignment cases take about six to 12 months. For more complex issues, the treatment time can take a few more months.
If you do need straighter teeth within just six months, you can opt for discreet braces. Amongst your top choices are the tooth-coloured Six Month Smiles braces. These are a type of a fixed orthodontic appliance that can yield straighter teeth in six months.
Are Dental Implants an Excellent Tooth Replacement Option?
Yes. Dental implants are the longest-lasting, most durable option for replacing lost teeth.
That’s because they get placed straight into or on the jawbone. This gives them an almost-permanent characteristic, which is why many now opt to get them. Studies back up their durability and longevity: they have shown to last for up to 20 years or longer.
Since implants become part of your jaw, they look, feel, and act much like natural teeth. They even function similarly: they stimulate your jawbone and gums. This stimulation then helps prevent the jawbone from resorbing or “melting” away.
Fix Your Bad Smile to Make Way for Amazing-Looking Teeth
There you have it, your ultimate guide on the best ways to address a bad smile. Now that you know what your treatment options are, you can make a more educated decision. What’s important is not to neglect the state of your teeth and gums, as this can affect your mental well-being.
Would you like to know more about how to makeover your smile? If so, then please know that our team here at Glen Dental of Leicester is ready to help! Get in touch with us so we can give you your free initial cosmetic dentistry consultation.
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