How to get a confident smile?

Confidence is fickle – one day you’ll feel on top of the world, the next day, not so much.

It’s human nature to go to extra lengths to look and feel attractive. This includes using a range of cosmetics, and specialized skin treatments. Most Americans agree that a confident and attractive appearance helps them secure better jobs, life partners and promotions. If you too are interested in enhancing the way you look, then the first thing you should consider is cosmetic dentistry. Remember, beautiful teeth reflect radiant beauty, good health and confidence, three crucial qualities in successful people.

Here are some of the most common cosmetic treatments used to enhance the aesthetic value of your teeth:

Orthodontic treatments:

Crooked teeth are teeth that are misaligned and at a higher risk of being lost early because of periodontal disease or tooth decay. Cosmetic orthodontics is a division of dentistry that fixes such issues for aesthetic reasons.

The most standard form of treatment for crooked teeth are braces. These prosthetics help treat overcrowding, protrusion, irregularity, and other related issues. There are various types of braces available, including:

• Fast acting adult braces
• Invisalign
• Damon braces
• Simply clear aligners
• Inman aligners

Invisalign:

Invisalign braces are made out of transparent plastic material and are hardly noticeable to the naked eye. They tend to fit over the teeth easily and move the choppers gradually into position.

Fast acting adult braces:

These braces are specially created to be worn by adults. They comprise of a gum-shield with vibration causing miniature motors. This vibration tends to start once the person bites down on the gum-shield, in turn loosening ligaments and initiating new bone to grow. This, in turn, moves the teeth into the correct place and holds them there.

Damon braces

These are no-friction, metal free braces comprising of wires and a slide mechanism that enables misaligned teeth to move into position.

Inman aligners

These are similar to Invisalign braces except that they comprise of a metal bar that is visible across the front teeth. But they utilize the same principles as Invisalign. The combination of a coiled spring pressing against the teeth and the metal bar causes a ‘push-pull’ movement that shifts the teeth into their correct position.

Simply clear aligners

These are a set of plastic aligners that are worn to fix mild cases of crooked teeth or other orthodontic problems. Such prosthetics do not contain wires, metal bars, or brackets and are opted by those patients who are looking for a mild cosmetic correction.

Apart from braces, there are several other cosmetic treatments that can help you achieve that perfect smile. Discuss all your options with your orthodontist or dentist. He or she should be able to recommend the right method for you depending on your oral health and personal preferences. Do not let a chipped or crooked tooth stop you from achieving your goals or shying away from social interactions! Book an appointment with your dentist now and see your life change for good.

Cosmetic Bonding Vs Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic dentistry has become extremely popular in California to get a winning smile. Whether it’s a misalignment problem, unsightly spacing issue, dark or uneven colored dentition, or even gum erosion, dentists use new ways to make sure the treatment is satisfactory and painless for the patient.

In yester years, crowns were the main choice for hiding tooth problems, but since the past four decades, cosmetic dentistry has been offering both veneers and bonding to enhance smiles. However, this does lead to the main question: “Veneers or Bonding?”

Dental bonding

Dental bonding pertains to the application of a strong composite material right onto the tooth’s surface, by a dentist, who then sculpts and shapes it to look exactly like a natural projection. It is made to blend seamlessly and naturally with the existing teeth of the patient. The teeth are then exposed to a laser light that cures the composite, reinforcing and hardening it.

This technique of bonding has several applications, not just for cosmetic uses but also for pediatric and prosthodontics dentistry. The benefits of dental bonding include,

Quick treatment time as the procedure can be finished in one visit after consultation.

Low cost per tooth in comparison to porcelain veneers.

Bonding also has some drawbacks. For instance, durability of the material might get affected by the oral environment. Also, since composite bonding is a mix of resin and quartz particle, breakage and discoloration is inevitable if the mouth has high acidic pH value. Breakage is also imminent if the patient does not have a solid tooth structure, or if he/she is a night grinder.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers need to be fabricated in the lab. They are filled with tough mineral particles that enhance durability. In comparison to bonding, the work process of veneers is a lot more complicated. There is a range of fabrication techniques that can be used and all require applying different methods to prepare the tooth. Pressing technique, for instance, produces an extremely strong veneer, but needs 0.8mm thickness of the veneer. Porcelain powder on the other hand can create super thin veneers that produce an extremely conservative look on the tooth structure, while also keeping a very natural profile. The veneer lays on the surface of the tooth and is very much like a press-on nail. 

Veneers adhere to the projection with the help of bonding cement. Since porcelain is resistant to acid and a lot stronger than composite, this form of restoration lasts longer. The process of getting veneers, however, involves more than one appointment. The first visit involves taking imprints of the teeth. A thin veneer is then crafted out of the porcelain and is cemented to the surface of the tooth on the next visit. Apart from straightening the teeth, porcelain veneers also help to close gaps, whiten teeth, and protect dented tooth surfaces. The main benefit of porcelain veneers over tooth bonding is that veneers last longer than composite.

Whether a patient decides to invest in porcelain veneers or dental bonding, it is important to get the procedure done from a reputable dentist, preferably at a clinic that has experienced professionals. When such work is left for experienced and skilled doctors, any last minute alteration can be done without hassle. Remember, the results of cosmetic procedures are truly diverse depending on the ability of the ceramist, dentist, the clinical history of the patient and the communication between the parties involved. Hence, it’s best to perform proper research. California boasts of several dental clinics offering cosmetic treatment. The patient can narrow down to a clinic that best suit his/her needs by reading online reviews and checking with family and friends.