Cosmetic Dental Applications To Transform The Mouth

7 December 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you are planning to change your appearance, one of the best places to start is your mouth. Your teeth have a significant impact on the overall look of your face. 

People with teeth that are misaligned, missing, or discolored may improve the look of their smile through cosmetic dentistry. Here are a few cosmetic dental issues and the applications that can help correct them:

Misalignment

Dental misalignments are common. Even if the teeth are not crooked enough to cause chewing or speaking problems, the misalignment can make the teeth look less attractive.

Here are some of the applications that make misaligned teeth look straighter:

  • Dental Veneers. Veneers can cover minor misalignments and make the teeth appear less crooked. 
  • Braces. Braces use brackets, an archwire, and elastic ligatures to apply pressure that gently aligns the teeth. 
  • Clear Aligners. Like braces, aligners apply pressure to coax the teeth into position. However, the aligners are removable trays that are made of clear plastic.

By correcting or concealing the crookedness of the teeth, the cosmetic applications improve the facial appearance. Correcting a misalignment may take months or even years. However, applications that cover the teeth provide immediate transformations.

Missing Teeth

Teeth may be missing from the mouth for multiple reasons, such as decay or accidental trauma. Here are some of the devices that can restore one or more missing teeth:

  • Dental Bridges. Dental bridges include false teeth and are held in place by bridge crowns that attach to remaining natural teeth.
  • Dental Implants. Dental implants are false dental roots that rest in the jawbone and are covered by prosthetic dental crowns.
  • Dentures. Traditional dentures usually replace a full palate of lost teeth and are held in place by suction or dental adhesives. Other dentures are implant-supported and connect to dental implants for stabilization.

Missing teeth that are replaced by implants are permanently restored. Other applications may require eventual replacement.

Discoloration

Teeth may become discolored over time as the teeth absorb pigments from foods and drinks. Additionally, the teeth may be permanently discolored from a blow to the mouth, a birth defect, or a side effect from a medication. Here are some ways that discoloration can be hidden or whitened:

  • Bleaching. Dental bleaches chemically whiten food-based stains.
  • Veneers. Veneers conceal the discoloration, so they may even be used to correct permanent darkening.
  • Crowns. A crown covers the discoloration by surrounding the entire natural crown of a tooth.

Bleaching applications can be applied at home or professionally in a dental office. 

If you are interested in improving the appearance of your teeth, contact the office of a local dentist to schedule a consultation.