If you have a few missing or broken teeth, then you may already be feeling a little self-conscious. More than a few damaged teeth may also mean that you’re struggling to eat your favourite foods or even pronounce words. This is not only uncomfortable but can knock your confidence levels down another notch.
Fortunately, modern dentistry procedures, such as all-on-4 dental implants or dentures, make it easy for your prosthodontist to find the best solution to fix your smile. However, new teeth aren’t just good for replacing your teeth; they may be crucial for improving your oral health.
Defining Cosmetic Dentistry
Essentially, the term cosmetic dentistry refers to various dental treatments that focus on improving the appearance of gums, teeth, and your general oral health. While some may regard these procedures as an aesthetic enhancement, it’s worth noting that for many people, these treatments and procedures are essential for restoring functionality to their mouths.
There are many cosmetic treatment options out there. Choosing one is based solely on what you’d like, but rather on factors such as the current health of your mouth, bone density, and age. Some of the more common procedures that your prosthodontist may recommend include the following:
- Polishing or whitening stained or discoloured teeth
- Using veneers or dental crowns to restore the shape and length of teeth that have been worn-down
- Repairing misaligned or crooked teeth with dental braces
- Performing gum grafting to restore receded gums
- Inserting titanium implants to cover more extensive gaps in the same arch
- Full and partial dentures for instances where implants aren’t viable
Many Positives to Consider
If you’re still on the fence about getting one of the many cosmetic dentistry procedures, then knowing how they will benefit your overall oral health and improve your quality of life may help you decide. Our team of dental experts have compiled a list of the top benefits of opting for a cosmetic dental procedure.
1. Improves Dental Function
The number one reason why most Australians opt for one of the many cosmetic dental procedures is to improve functionality in their mouths. This is because missing teeth often make it difficult to eat some foods and may also hamper the way you pronounce words.
Having new teeth means that you can eat your favourite foods and speak clearly again.
2. Strengthens Teeth
Age and excessive use are common culprits that lead to teeth becoming worn down and weak over time. In addition to this, missing teeth means that the remaining teeth in your mouth are also at risk of becoming loose or weak. Opting for the right dental procedures, such as veneers or crowns, will work well to strengthen any weakened teeth.
3. Tailored to Your Needs
A huge benefit of cosmetic dentistry is that modern advancements ensure that the one you opt for is tailored to suit your specific needs. That means you won’t have to try to make a generic solution work for you. Your prosthodontist will assess your oral and general health and recommend the best option for you. Procedures are customised to fit your mouth.
4. Improved Oral Health
It can be difficult to maintain a high level of oral health if you’re dealing with gaps or broken teeth. This is because food particles and bacteria can become lodged in gaps or behind other teeth. Having straight, properly aligned teeth ensures that teeth are easier to clean and also reduces the likelihood of developing gum disease.
5. Boosts Self-Esteem
There’s no denying that when you improve the way your mouth looks, you also feel more confident about smiling, laughing, and interacting with other people. This is especially crucial for professional settings where you are expected to smile and chat. Having your confidence and your smile back means you can join in on the selfie craze without hiding your mouth.
6. Reduces the Onset of Future Issues
If you don’t have a professional deal with a few missing teeth, you’ll soon see that it spirals into other issues with your oral health. Worn or damaged teeth can increase the bacteria in your mouth, which in turn affects your other teeth, gums, and even your throat. In extreme cases, inflammation can also affect your overall health.
7. Lasting Results
Cosmetic dentistry aims to provide you with permanent solutions that will improve your oral health for the long-term. A complete assessment determines what’s the best option for your mouth. Quality ingredients and products are used to create durable solutions that will last a long time. The onus is then on you to maintain your new teeth correctly to further enhance dental health.
Final Thoughts
Modern cosmetic dentistry not only enables you to regain your smile but also goes a long way to improving your overall oral health. Opting for the right treatment based on the health of your mouth, you can look forward to results that last and normal activities such as eating and speaking suddenly become so much easier. Having your teeth fixed means your confidence gets an instant boost, which is always an enormous plus point!
