Cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular as people seek ways to improve their confidence and their smiles. Many people believe that an unattractive smile can hamper their social life and put them at a disadvantage career-wise. With such strong feelings about the appearance of teeth, here are some of the most popular treatments that more and more people are signing up to than ever before:
Teeth Whitening
This is the most popular treatment, the whitening or bleaching of teeth for a sparkly smile. It’s easy to access and reasonably priced, with the benefit of not being overly invasive. There are over-the-counter options but none of these will brighten teeth as well as a professional treatment. Consultations will also help you to decide on a desired shade before undergoing the procedure.
Porcelain Veneers
Where whitening is not an option, another available treatment is porcelain veneers. This involves having a porcelain shell made to fit over a tooth to solve an issue of damaged enamel, poor alignment, chips, cracks or discolouration. This is a more invasive procedure that results in permanent change to your teeth but is a great choice for those who cannot have a whitening treatment for discolouration.
Gingival Contouring
A common complaint is having a gummy smile. For those who think they reveal too much gum when they smile, there are procedures available for contouring the gumline. These include laser treatment, gingival sculpting, maxillofacial surgery or surgery for repositioning of the lips. Gingival contouring is performed by a specialist and is a more invasive procedure.
Invisible Braces
Gone are the days when you had to have a mouth full of obvious wire and brackets. Now, people can straighten out their teeth with a barely visible device. Options available include inside braces, placed on the rear of the teeth, tooth-coloured brackets and transparent retainers or aligners. For anyone self-conscious about having this kind of orthodontic treatment, invisible braces are a great idea. For a Cosmetic Dentist Leicester, visit St Johns Road Dental Practice
Direct Composite Bonding
Bonding is not very glamourous but remains one of the most popular treatments. Bonding refers to the process of attaching permanent materials to the teeth such as crowns, veneers and fillings. It is used to make minor repairs to cracks, chips and gaps using teeth-coloured materials. It is the cheapest and easiest fix for many minor aesthetic dental problems.
Implants
These are the pinnacle of cosmetic dentistry treatments available today. With natural tooth-coloured and strong, durable materials, implants offer the best solution for tooth loss. An implant consists of a titanium artificial root being implanted into the jaw and being fused to the bone. A crown is then attached to the artificial root and you’re left with what looks and feels like a real tooth. As you would expect, this is an invasive procedure and would require 6 months of recovery before the crown could be fitted. It is, however, the most advanced cosmetic procedure available and results are impressive.