Ashamed of Your Smile? Why You Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry

A method of professional oral care and treatments, cosmetic dentistry is designed to improve the appearance, strength and stability of your smile. Many cosmetic dental treatments are essential in guaranteeing the longevity of your teeth and gums, such as fillings and crowns whereas many provide genuine aesthetic advantages, such as teeth whitening, veneers and orthodontic treatments. Most cosmetic dental treatments are used in this way, but there are many occasions where they are essential to the future protection of your teeth. In this post, we analyse the key advantages of different cosmetic treatments, to help you discover which is best for you.

Teeth Whitening

Tooth discolouration is extremely common. Brought on by poor dental hygiene, several medications, smoking and certain food and drinks, teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them a lighter, brighter colour. Teeth whitening requires several trips to the dentist over the course of a couple of months to achieve optimum results, typically through a simple oxidation process and some sessions at home wearing a mouthguard containing a bleaching agent. There are a number of benefits to having your teeth whitened, particularly in a psychological sense, as many patients have suggested their mood has undoubtedly improved. Having pearly white teeth will give you great self-confidence, improve mood and lead to a renewed sense of wellbeing and positivity.

The simple act of smiling enhances our mood, and with a bright white smile, you won’t be able to stop yourself from beaming. A bright smile will improve physical form, as you appear healthier and more attractive, improving mental health, self-confidence and perception of self.

Inlays and Onlays

Sometimes referred to as ‘indirect fillings’, this particular form of cosmetic dentistry is perfect for situations when a filling is not enough, but a crown is unnecessary or too intrusive to effectively prevent tooth decay. Dental inlays fill in cavities and hollows in a tooth in the areas between the cusps. An onlay will not just fill in cavities in those spaces, but they can work for a larger area, including the cusps. This form of cosmetic dentistry works much the same as crowns, except they don’t cover the entire tooth, instead, filling in cavities or hollows when a tooth has mild or moderate decay. Much like crowns, inlays and onlays are made in a dental laboratory from a composite of both porcelain and ceramic materials, before being attached to the tooth with adhesive dental cement. They provide support to strengthen teeth, restore their shape, and avoid any further decay or deterioration.

Dental inlays and onlays are perfect for a quick, simple and affordable restoration of your smile. They will help to prevent tooth decay, add comfort, stability and strength to your overall oral health without breaking the bank and are considered an effective quick-fix solution in many cosmetic dental procedures.

Braces and Orthodontics

Braces are perhaps the most common form of cosmetic dental treatment and are designed to straighten or move teeth to improve the appearance of your teeth, preventing them from overlapping or causing pain or damage. Generally, braces are fixed in place for several months or years, depending on the treatment plan, and are made from metal, plastic and ceramics. Some braces are removable, however, with plastic Invisalign braces becoming a prominent figure in modern orthodontic treatment. Invisalign braces are, as the name suggests, practically invisible to the naked eye and can be removed, cleaned and custom-made to suit your requirements.

Braces are an affordable, yet long-lasting, (and occasionally painful), treatment that will effectively fix the alignment of your teeth. Relieving pain or the risk of teeth overlapping, braces and orthodontic treatments mean you will have a perfect smile once you’ve come to the end of the process but will require the regular use of retainers to maintain the look of your smile. Braces are typically available on the NHS for children and teenagers, and in severe cases where realignment is required, they are available for adults as well. However, most adults usually have to pay a premium for braces or orthodontic treatments and tend to lean towards Invisalign retainers. Due to their design, Invisalign braces work as both a semi-permanent brace and a retainer simultaneously and can be an affordable alternative.

White Fillings

White fillings have become an increasingly popular option for many dentists and patients, as they are a more natural-looking way of filling in cavities over traditional silver fillings. In general, white fillings do tend to last less time than silver fillings, but this can greatly depend on where the filling is needed and how heavy your teeth come together when you bite.

Recent advancements in the technology of white fillings materials, composites and porcelains are steadily making their performance comparable with or superior to silver amalgam fillings. Fillings are important in preventing cavities from growing, reducing the threat of decay and strengthening the tooth itself. They will prevent food from gathering between gaps or holes in your teeth and reduce the threat of further damage or decay later. Tooth fillings are able to prevent infection if they are used as a temporary fix during a more complex root canal and provide support for teeth that have lost shape or structure from the weakening of enamel over time. In the last few years, white filling technologies have caught up with patient needs, and are made of a composite resin that will blend perfectly with the rest of your teeth, providing you with the perfect smile.

Crowns and Bridges

A type of cap that completely covers a real tooth, a crown is made from either metal or a combination of metal and porcelain to cover broken, decayed or damaged teeth. A crown is a fixed cap and the original tooth will need to be drilled down in order for the crown to be fitted correctly. A bridge meanwhile is very similar, acting as a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth, made from taking an impression of the surrounding teeth which will eventually support the bridge.

Scale and Polish

One of the most basic cosmetic dental treatments, which is usually provided on most visits to your dental hygienist, is having your teeth professionally scaled and polished. This involves carefully removing nasty deposits, such as plaque and tartar, that have built up either on the teeth or between them over time.

Veneers

A veneer is a completely new facing or front surface for a tooth made from ceramic or porcelain. They are generally used to disguise discoloured teeth, as well as a cover for chipped, broken or damaged teeth. To fit a veneer, the front of the affected tooth is drilled away, before an impression is taken and a thin layer of porcelain is fitted over the front of the tooth. In extreme cases, veneers can be fitted to cover an entire row of teeth if there is severe damage. As a general rule, veneers are only available privately and at a cost, due to the complex procedure and labour required. Though they are easily the most expensive and complex solution for cosmetic dental treatments, veneers are incredibly durable, effective and aesthetically pleasing. Many celebrities use veneers to provide them with flawless smiles.

These are just some of the main dental cosmetic treatments available today, each with the primary objective of providing a brighter, healthier and happier smile. With cosmetic treatment, you’ll no longer feel the need to hide your smile, instead, you will beam with self-confidence and joy, smiling from ear to ear. Dental cosmetic treatments will boost positivity and lead to a satisfactory, shiny-bright smile. So why not get in touch with our expert dental cosmetic treatment team today? At Acorn Dental Health, we provide expert services across a number of treatments.

Acorn Dental Health - Reliable Cosmetic Dentistry Across Southampton

If you feel that the appearance of your teeth is preventing you from looking your best, speak to our specialists today. At Acorn Dental Health, we have a wealth of experience in cosmetic dentistry, offering personalised smile assessments and advanced treatments for clients in Southampton. We are passionate about providing quality cosmetic dental care services and will be more than happy to discuss various treatments and their benefits with you. If you are hiding away your beautiful smile because of a broken, chipped or discoloured tooth, come to Acorn Dental Health in Hedge End today. We offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments and will be able to help you. Get in touch with our team today.