Stop Hiding Smile
Be it selfies, online dating, or social media, more of our lives are being captured on camera and video than ever before. As such, most people want to look their best and have a healthy-looking smile.
For people suffering from any number of dental conditions, feeling confident about their appearance is difficult. Cosmetic concerns can often leave the patient reluctant to show their smile and can result in anxiety, depression, and negative self-confidence.
Fortunately, there are treatments available to combat the most common dental conditions and their related cosmetic concerns. This article will address some of the most common dental conditions and their treatment options.
Stained or Yellowed Teeth
Over time, our teeth are susceptible to staining from the foods and beverages we consume. Tobacco use, oral trauma, certain medications, and aging can also lead to staining or yellowing on the surface of the teeth. A thorough and regular cleaning regimen can help avoid or remove some staining but may not be enough and could necessitate additional treatment.
TREATMENT
* Professional Whitening: Considered to be the fastest and most effective method of whitening the teeth. Performed at the dentist’s office, these treatments use lasers or peroxide-containing agents to combat surface staining. While more expensive than at-home treatment options, the higher peroxide level in professional treatments makes them far more effective.
* At-home Whitening: Using a lower peroxide percentage than professional treatments, these home remedies come in tray, gel, strip, rinse, and toothpaste form.
Missing Teeth
Whether it was due to an injury, gum recession, or tooth decay, losing a tooth is never fun. The space left from the lost tooth may create functional issues if the adjacent teeth shift into the gap. And the gap left from a missing tooth can obviously be a cosmetic concern for patients as well.
TREATMENT:
* Dental Implants: Surgical procedure that involves implanting metal posts into the gums on which a prosthetic crown is screwed into place. The implant looks, functions, and feels like a natural tooth. Because surgery is involved, implants are typically more expensive and require significant healing/recovery time.
* Bridges: Ideal when multiple teeth are missing, rather than an individual tooth, bridges hold the prosthetic teeth in place without any cementing or screwing.
* Dentures: Depending on the number of teeth needing replacement, a partial or full set of dentures could be an option to replace the missing teeth. This method does not require surgery but some patients find the dentures to be uncomfortable.
Chipped, Cracked, or Damaged Teeth
There are numerous ways that a tooth can become chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged but it often occurs suddenly and without warning. In addition to possibly being painful, the damage can be unsightly and could lead to further complications if not treated.
TREATMENT:
* Dental Bonding: If only a small portion of the tooth enamel has been damaged, a tooth-colored composite resin (bonding) can be used to cover the area. After placing the resin, the dentist shapes and polishes the area before hardening the material with a high-intensity light. While a simple process, bonding is not as hard as natural tooth enamel and as such, is prone to future damage.
* Veneers: Thin shells that cover the tooth surface that are cemented in place. Custom made to patient specifications and tooth-color.
* Crowns/Caps: When damage is more extensive, a crown may be place over the entire remaining tooth. The crown helps improve cosmetics, protect the damaged tooth, and preserve functionality.
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