A great smile can do wonders for your self-confidence and career prospects. Conversely, three quarters of us believe, according to a recent survey, that an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success. We'd like to share with you the top five things the survey respondents considered unattractive in a smile, along with some cosmetic dental treatments that have proven successful in remedying them.
- Discolored, yellow, or stained teeth. Teeth whitening is one of the most economical cosmetic dental treatments available. It can be done right here at the dental office, or at home with custom-made whitening trays and prescription-strength bleaching gel. Porcelain veneers, which are extremely thin tooth coverings, offer a more permanent solution.
- Missing teeth. There are several good options to replace missing teeth but we think dental implants are the best. An implant tooth consists of a small titanium post attached to a completely natural-looking dental crown. The crown is the only part of this tooth-replacement system that is visible in the mouth; the titanium implant sits beneath the gum line.
- Crooked teeth. The best solution will depend on how far out of alignment the teeth actually are. Sometimes minor alignment problems can be taken care of with porcelain veneers. For more serious alignment issues, orthodontics works best.
- Decaying teeth and cavities. Dental disease is completely preventable with meticulous oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing, along with regular professional cleanings here at the dental office. However, if you do wind up with a cavity, we can use mercury-free, tooth-colored filling material so that your restored smile looks great.
- Gaps and spaces between teeth. Small spaces can often be remedied with porcelain veneers and composite bonding. For larger gaps, orthodontics may be necessary.
Of course, the best treatment plan for you will depend on your individual situation, and the reasons underlying any cosmetic issues you may have. This is something we can only determine after we have examined you. So if you are unhappy with anything about your smile, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. We look forward to working with you to design the smile of your dreams! Learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Beautiful Smiles by Design” and “Celebrity Smiles.”
For information on this topic, or any topic of dental interest, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151.
