Cosmetic Dentistry is the branch of dental surgery that is applied with the goal of enahcing the overall look of a person’s smile. You will often hear this referred to as a smile makeover and the different procedures available include teeth whitening, veneers, fillings and gum contouring.
These days, more and more dentists are also offering facial rejuvenation in the form of botox or dermal fillers though for this article we will concentrate on more traditional, though contemporary, forms of smile makeovers.
Teeth Whitening
Even the most stringent personal dental hygiene will not be enough for some people to keep their teeth a perfect white colour. Over time, most people will find their teeth stained and discoloured as a result of every day food and drink consumption, in particular from red wine and coffee.
A dentist will be able to carry out one of two forms of tooth whitening. The first is done via laser where the treatment is quick and results immediate, the second via trays where more than one visit will be required and the results noticeable over a period of 1-2 months.
Whilst prices vary between and tray and laser whitening, there is the alternative option of home tray whitening kits. These are obviously more cost effective but can, if used incorrectly, have a certain amount of risk involved and you should always look for the supervision of a dentist when carrying out tooth whitening.
Veneers
Following on from teeth whitening which covers the shade of your teeth, veneers concentrate on the look and feel of a set of teeth. Made from ceramic or porcelain, the veneer is applied to the front of the tooth as a shell to improve it’s look - similar in many ways to false fingernails.
If you have damaged your teeth, have noticeable gaps, crooked teeth or teeth which require intense teeth whitening, you will more than likely find a veneer will suit your needs.
White Fillings
In times gone by a filling, though serving its function well, were unsightly due to being made of a silver amalgam and many people were conscious of opening their mouth when needing to smile or laugh.
Though less durable, white tooth coloured fillings are now a popular alternative, though note, as they are classed as cosmetic dentistry, you wouldn’t be able to obtain these for free on the NHS.#
Gum Contouring
If you have what is referred to as a “gummy smile” you will find that your gums hang over too much of your teeth leaving them looking short. This can be remedied via gum contouring and reshaping where the dentist uses a scalpel or a laser to cut at excess gum.
