Your teeth can become exposed to all types of dangers throughout your life. Thankfully, dentists offer a large selection of tools and techniques to help you enhance the look of your smile. Dental medicine is more advanced than ever and you can find a variety of procedures to suit your needs. Below we will cover seven of the best options available to you for healthier teeth and a brighter smile.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding offers a fast and effective solution for many looking to fix minor damage or gaps in their teeth or improve the appearance of their smile. A dental professional will bond a composite resin material to existing teeth in order to reshape them. The colour of the resin is matched to your teeth and thus it will result in a natural look. Experts in this field, including those at Fulham Road Dental, can provide you with further information on composite bonding. The treatment will include an evaluation with an experienced dentist in Fulham who will get to know you and what you hope to achieve. Afterwards, the procedure could be carried out in one visit where you may not even require local anaesthesia
Enamel Shaping
If you would like to create more balance in the look of your smile, you may want to consider enamel shaping or recontouring. This process involves removing or contouring dental enamel in order to improve chipped and irregular teeth or minor bite problems. While enamel shaping is mostly performed on lower front teeth, it can even be done on upper front teeth. It is a quick technique which allows you to see results immediately. It is important to have the thickness of your enamel assessed before committing to this procedure. If the enamel is too thin, you may want to consider different options such as composite bonding.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a long-term solution to replacing missing or failing teeth. Implants use a titanium screw which is attached to your jaw to replace the missing tooth. A false tooth in the form of a crown, bridge or denture is then fitted to the top of the implant. The false tooth will have a similar shape, size and colour to your existing teeth which ensures it will fit in naturally. To understand this procedure better and what can be expected, check out this comprehensive guide. The time involved will depend on your health and the structure of your mouth.
Dental Veneers
Another option you may consider is adding dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or ceramic that are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth. They can be used to correct chips, cracks or small gaps. This procedure is preferred by many as veneers are undetectable and customised to your teeth. Unlike other treatments, dental veneers take more than a single visit to the dentist. Initially, you will have a consultation after which your dentist can provide you with temporary veneers made of liquid composite. This will give you a sense of what to expect. Veneers can help you restore the appearance of your teeth and keep stains away.
Teeth Whitening
A popular procedure which involves removing stains and discoloration is teeth whitening. It aims to enhance the appearance of your teeth by brightening them. Although there are home kits available to purchase, it is recommended to set up a consultation with a dentist. Teeth can become yellow for many reasons and each would require a different approach. Take a look at these answers to common questions about this treatment. Moreover, dentists have access to stronger bleaching agents and some whiteners used by them are activated by lasers. The overall process is quick and painless and the number of sessions will be based on the initial colour of the patient’s teeth.
Dental Crowns
You may consider dental crowns in some situations, such as protecting a weak tooth from breaking, holding a dental bridge in place, or covering misshapen or discoloured teeth. When crowns are cemented into place, they fully cover the entire visible part of a tooth. This is the perfect solution for anyone looking to achieve a better smile. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including stainless steel, metal, porcelain and ceramic. If you maintain a good standard of hygiene, your crown should last for over a decade.
Gum Reshaping
Apart from your teeth, focusing on reshaping your gums is another important aspect. There are many reasons why someone might experience uneven gums. For example, this can be due to genetics, health issues or some medications. Gum reshaping is primarily done for cosmetic purposes. However, sometimes it can be a medical necessity to treat periodontal disease. If you have excessive gum tissue, your dental professional will remove it using a scalpel or laser. Then, a new gumline will be sculpted to expose more of your teeth. Alternatively, in cases of too little gum tissue, gum tissue from other parts of the mouth such as the palette will be added instead.