Having a lack of self-confidence in one’s appearance is not a rare thing. There are many things that people feel insecure about when it comes to physical traits, and one of the most common features that causes this is our smiles. Our teeth and gums are naturally displayed when we are happy, and suppressing those smiles due to anxiety and diffidence can have a huge impact on our day-to-day enjoyment. With so many of us, adults and children, being ashamed of the way our smiles look, it’s important to identify the many different methods and treatments that dental professionals can do to help people to find their confidence again.
Speak To Your Dentist
First and foremost, you’re going to want to speak to your dentist before getting your heart set on a particular treatment. After all, a professional will need to identify which treatment is best for your situation, and they’ll also be the one to perform the procedure anyway. Regular dental visits are essential, regardless of whether you feel like there is a problem with your teeth or not, as they will be able to notice any possible issues arising and work to prevent those problems with other handy treatments.
Teeth Whitening
A very common procedure in dentistry is teeth whitening. This is something that you can actually do on your own, at home, or a dentist can do it for you. At home kits are widely available and while you can use one without permission from your dentist, it’s highly recommended that you speak to them beforehand, as they’ll be able to guide you towards the best treatment for you. Be prepared for this to be fairly costly, however, as this isn’t always seen as an essential treatment—discolouration of the teeth isn’t harmful and fixing it is therefore not a priority for NHS dentists.
Crowns
A crown is a synthetic cap that covers a real tooth. This tends to be used when a tooth is damaged or worn and needs protective assistance to prevent further damage and complications. These can often be used for aesthetic purposes too, but generally a crown is fitted is for medical purposes and is therefore a more prioritised treatment. If you have a tooth that has broken or is weakened, a crown may be a good choice instead of more invasive treatments.
Realignment
Crooked and misaligned teeth can be a constant source of concern for those that suffer with these problems. For younger people who are still growing, it’s likely that dentists and orthodontists will suggest braces and aligners to rectify these issues. Wearing metal braces aren’t overly subtle, although they do their job well.
However, for those that aren’t happy with wearing visible braces, there are some other options like invisible braces. These are clear braces that correct tooth alignment much more subtly than metal ones. People learning about clear braces will find that, while they may be a bit more costly, they are just as good as metal braces and can prevent people from feeling self-conscious by being very difficult to notice. They are also much easier to clean and have no impact on what you can eat as you remove them for meals.
Implants
Losing a tooth can be devastating. Whether it’s been knocked out in an accident or has been removed due to decay, it can make you feel very self-conscious. Implants are a fantastic way of dealing with this. Fitted into your jawbone with a titanium or other sturdy metal screw, a false tooth can then be attached to the implant, filling the gap that was left behind.
Veneers
For those worried about the appearance of multiple teeth, veneers are a quick and simple way of covering and hiding broken, stained or misshapen teeth. These are made from porcelain and are attached to the front of the teeth. To better fit the veneers, the teeth have some of their enamel removed providing a surface that is easier to attach to.
Once attached, the veneers make for a very strong addition to your natural teeth, and while the process is irreversible, they tend to last for a significant amount of time. Unfortunately, these are only available on the NHS if they’re being fitted for medical purposes and are not simply for cosmetic reasons. However, veneers can be fairly affordable via private dentists, and they will be able to fit these for you, no matter your reasons for getting them.
Bonding
Another common treatment when teeth have experienced slight aesthetic damage such as being worn down via grinding the teeth or chips and breaks is composite bonding which is a means of attaching a compound of materials like resins and porcelain to sculpt a replacement section of missing tooth. For example, if a canine tooth has been ground down over time removing the sharper, pointed part of the tooth, the point can be rebuilt. This is generally only available via private practices as it’s only done for aesthetic purposes.