Many factors can change the way a person smiles. Everyday wear and tear, traumas like accidents or injuries, and several age-related changes to teeth and gums may also create a less youthful-looking or less flattering smile. Besides, tooth decay and gum disease may also disrupt a person’s smile. As a consequence, many people opt for cosmetic dentistry to change or improve their smile.
Regardless of the cause, the dentist can advise ways in which both the look and function of the smile can be changed. Here are 6 ways that not only can change the look of the smile, but also improve oral health:
1. Teeth whitening: During this procedure, a bleaching agent is applied on the teeth and activated with an ultraviolet (UV) light. This procedure is quite useful, but it is not a permanent solution. Some over-the-counter products, such as bleaching kits or whitening products like gels or strips, are also available. However, these may not be as effective as professional teeth whitening.

2. Crowns: Dental crowns are fitted over the existing tooth structures to restore their natural appearance and function. Crowns help repairing or strengthening damaged or discoloured teeth. Crowns may also be placed after a root canal treatment, or to attach dental bridges, or even to protect a weak tooth from breaking or for restoring one that’s already broken. They are made of porcelain or ceramic and are colour-matched with the existing teeth. It may require a couple of visits to the dentist for crown fitting.

3. Veneers: Veneers are customized thin shells crafted with materials that are coloured like teeth and designed to cover the front side of teeth. Before applying veneers, it is essential to remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth to lodge the shell. These typically last up to 10 to 15 years.

4. Implants: A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jaw and acts as an artificial tooth root supporting a crown. A dentist essentially replaces a missing tooth with an implant. Dental implants are a better solution than dentures. However, implants may not suit a person with an oral health condition like gum disease or medical conditions like diabetes. Smoking may also affect implants and, thus, recovery times.

5. Bonding: Bonding is performed with tooth-coloured materials, i.e., ‘bonds’ to fill in cracks or chips in teeth. During bonding, the natural tooth enamel and dentin are merged with the materials like porcelain and resins to create a stable structure. This bonding material, matching with the shade of the existing teeth, is applied, smoothed, and hardened with the help of a UV light or laser. It can help restore the natural look of the teeth.

6. Orthodontics (Braces/aligners): These include braces and aligners. They help align the teeth and jaw into desired positions when used over time, with regular adjustments being made by the dentist over the course of the treatment. Clear aligners can help adults wanting to change their smile without altering their lifestyle or using noticeable metal braces. These are removable aligners or “invisible” braces that can be used to make the crooked or crowded teeth straight.
Apart from these options available in the dentistry, regular brushing and flossing, as well as routine visits to the dentist, are useful tools for maintaining oral health. Brushing the teeth twice and flossing at least once a day is essential for preventing cavities. Additionally, visits to the dentist twice a year can improve the smile significantly as these may include checking for cavities and oral diseases, apart from just the routine cleaning.

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