Photo by Amir Esrafili on Unsplash
Christmas is a stone’s throw away and the New Year is almost upon us. January 1st sees people writing out resolutions and reinventing themselves, which could be anything from losing weight to decluttering the garage. Many people seek to change their body image and feel better about themselves, which can involve solving oral issues. There are plenty of ways to achieve a fabulous smile, and you’ll find out how below.
Tooth Alignment
Many people go to extensive measures to achieve “the perfect smile” and feel more comfortable, with many people going as far as having dental implants, which involve removing teeth and replacing them with fakes. The pain level of such surgery depends on gumline health, but it can be extremely painful after the initial surgery.
Fortunately, there are less-invasive ways of improving your smile without having your teeth replaced. For example, you can explore invisible aligners for teeth like this from ALIGNERCO. Designed from x-rays and molds of your teeth, the discrete aligners gently apply pressure to your teeth to slowly bring them into the correct position.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin layer of material that’s placed over a tooth. Unlike a crown, veneers only cover the front and side of the tooth, meaning there’s no need to alter the underlying tooth structure. In the US, the cost of veneers is around $925-$2500 per tooth (depending on the material used). Unfortunately, this treatment isn’t typically covered by insurance because it’s classified as cosmetic.
Proportion Over Perfection
A smile needs to complement the shape of a face, which is why perfection isn’t necessarily the best option. When dentists are designing smiles, they assess the forehead, lips, nose, eyes, and middle of the face to achieve the correct proportions. The body naturally includes asymmetry, which means a perfectly symmetrical smile will look out of place. Embracing the asymmetry of the face is the only way to achieve “natural” beauty.
Good Oral Hygiene
There’s no point investing in expensive cosmetic dental treatments if you’re not going to take care of your teeth. Oral hygiene is an important part of healthy smile longevity. When you’re at home, you should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes; electric toothbrushes are the most effective. Additionally, flossing between your teeth helps remove any bacteria you’ve missed. You can use mouthwash to help discourage bacteria build-ups, but you should avoid using them until at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth because it removes fluoride.
Understand Your Options
Veneers are great options for addressing oral cosmetics, but they aren’t for everyone. For example, young patients typically avoid veneers because they believe it’s too early in the game, which is true in some cases. In place of veneers, explore invisible aligners, teeth whitening, and dental bonding.
Oral cosmetic surgeries are designed to deliver a great smile, but they should look as close to natural as possible. Speak to a dental expert before deciding on a cosmetic treatment, and ensure you understand any associated risks before committing.