Quick Blog Summary
Cosmetic dentistry could come in handy if you are self conscious about your smile because of any of the following: stained, chipped, missing, crooked or edges worn. Whether you have straightening, bonding, veneers or clear aligners, you can have them meet with various concerns, relying on your needs. The first step is to have a healthy mouth and cosmetic procedures should come after cavity treatment and gum treatments. During the consultation, you can have a discussion about your options, cost and results.
Introduction
Maria’s phone was face down at her daughter’s wedding. It wasn’t that she was bored. She felt the tightness in her lips around her teeth each time the cry of “say cheese” was shouted. One front tooth looked a little grayer than the others and a little bit of material that had chipped away on the corner, that had been bothering her for two years. She was adept at concealing it. The flash went and she saw the photo later that night. She did not find her sleep to be very restful.
She came to see us a few months after that. She did not want to be completely transformed. She simply wished that she wouldn’t have to think about her teeth every time she laughed. Much as you can imagine, her story is not uncommon and is an excellent starting point.
Then when is the perfect time to consider cosmetic dentistry? Truthfully, it’s up to you. The age is not set. However, there are certain indicators that can be seen in our chairs that can assist you in determining whether or not it is worth discussing.
At Contemporary Family Dentistry, we see a lot of people who feel a little shy about their smile. Some want a brighter look before a big event. Some have hated a gap since high school. Some just want to stop hiding. We don’t push anyone into anything. We listen first, then we tell you what we think.
Photos tell the truth
Do you turn your head in pictures? Do you cover your mouth when you laugh? Do you smile with your lips closed because it feels safer? If you nodded at any of those, your teeth are probably on your mind more than you’d like.
Cameras catch everything. Stains, gaps, and crooked edges all show up. If you feel shy in photos, that feeling is worth paying attention to. You don’t have to live with it just because it’s become a habit.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says people tend to notice a smile first, which is why even small changes to the teeth can shift how someone feels day to day.
A stain that won’t go away
Grass turns gray with age.As the grass ages, it turns grey. Coffee gets them. So do red wine, smoking and tea. So do some drugs. Surface stains can be fairly cleaned using brushing, but deeper stains tend to persist.
This is a refrain we hear over and over. The patient uses whitening toothpaste, but it barely works, and he or she stops trying. A more typical professional whitening will do a lot more. Veneers and bonding could be an alternative for deeper and/or patchy stains.
Examine the location of the stain. If the entire tooth is uniformly dark, it will probably be caused by drinks or food. A dark spot that doesn’t go away may indicate a former filling or injury. The quick examination tells us that it’s which one, and that changes the fix.
The American Dental Association advises patients to talk with their dentist about discoloration, since the cause often decides which treatment works best.
Chips happen
You eat something that is firm. You slip on the steps. Or you’re just unlucky. The small chip on a front tooth can feel like a huge problem, particularly in the morning.
Bonding is a suitable treatment for small chips. We apply resin onto the teeth, shape it and polish it in one visit, typically in a tooth coloured resin. Most people tell us it was quicker and easier than they expected. The larger chips may require a veneer or a crown.
But first, there is one thing. Before considering the cosmetic side of treatment, we need to examine your health to determine if a crack is deep enough to hurt when you chew, or if it feels like it is loose in the socket. The first thing is comfort and then style.
Gaps and crooked teeth
Lots of adults live with a smile they never picked. Maybe your teeth grew in crooked. Maybe there’s a space between your front teeth that you have hated for decades. Maybe your bite was off, and nobody fixed it when you were a kid.
Good news. Adults can improve alignment at almost any age. Clear aligners are a popular choice because they’re far less noticeable than metal braces. Some people need only small changes. Others need a longer plan. Honestly, we can’t promise every case works with aligners alone, so we check each mouth carefully.
For a small gap, bonding or veneers sometimes close it without any aligners at all. That’s often the first thing we talk about.
Straight teeth are easier to clean
Crooked teeth trap food and plaque in tight spots. Brushing and flossing get harder. Over time, that can lead to cavities and gum problems. Straightening your smile also makes your mouth easier to keep healthy.
Bad bites can cause jaw soreness, worn teeth, and headaches for some people. Fixing alignment can help with comfort, not just looks.
Old work that stands out
Dental work doesn’t last forever. Silver fillings darken with time and show up when you smile. Older crowns sometimes reveal a gray line near the gums. Many patients tell us they never liked how that work looked, and the feeling never left.
Newer materials blend in much better. If your old work is still solid, you may not need to replace it just for looks. If it’s cracking or leaking, or if you truly hate how it looks, an upgrade can help a lot.
Worn edges
Teeth wear down from grinding, acid, and plain old age. The edges can look flat or short. Your smile may start to look older than the rest of your face. This change is slow, so many people don’t notice until someone points it out or they see an old photo.
Veneers, crowns, or bonding can bring back length and shape. A good plan restores that fresher look and still matches your natural face.
If you grind or clench at night, tell us. We can check for wear and talk about a night guard. Protecting your teeth from more damage is a big part of any cosmetic plan that’s supposed to last.
Health comes first
Cosmetic work is best done on a healthy mouth. If you have an active cavity, gum disease, and/or infection or painful tooth, that will be tackled first. Just painting a pretty face won’t save a cavity underneath. Can conceal the problem until it becomes quite large.
Consider this a way of painting over a leaky roof! Water continues to flow for a while until the walls look nice. First, we assess your complete well-being before we recommend any cosmetics changes, and we prefer to convey the bad news early!
The American Dental Association recommends regular checkups so dentists can catch small problems early, before they change how your teeth look or work.
Money and timing
Cosmetic work does come with a price tag, so it’s reasonable to consider it. Whitening and bonding typically cost less and are a quicker process. Long term orthodontics and/or full mouth veneers require more planning in addition to a larger budget.
Each option and price is explained to all patients. A lot, many offices will have payment plans. You don’t need to do them all at once. Many patients begin on one treatment and progress to multiple treatments.
Timing matters too. If it’s a wedding, plan early! Sometimes whitening will end up in one single visit. Take time to have aligners and veneers made.
Talking to your dentist
A lot of people feel awkward bringing this up. They worry we’ll judge them or think the request is silly. We hear these concerns every week, and we don’t think less of anyone for wanting a smile they like.
Be honest about what bugs you. Bring photos if they help. Tell us what you love and what you wish you could change. Ask what’s realistic. A good dentist will tell you straight what can work and what might need a different approach. If we think something isn’t worth it for you, we’ll say so.
The MouthHealthy website from the American Dental Association encourages patients to ask about options, costs, and expected results before they agree to any treatment.
Wrapping up
You don’t need a perfect smile to deserve some care. If your teeth make you hide, hold back, or avoid the camera, that matters. Cosmetic dentistry can help with stains, chips, gaps, old work, and worn edges. It can also help you feel like yourself again.
Maria did eventually get bonding on her chipped tooth and a whitening session before her next family photo. She still laughs with her hand off her mouth, and she told us she checks the photos now for the good parts.
Schedule a cosmetic consultation with our team and we’ll help you figure out which changes are worth making for your smile.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need cosmetic dentistry or do I need routine care?
Maintain oral health with good oral hygiene. This involves cleanings, exams, cavity fillings and infection treatments. Cosmetic work is making changes to your smile. If you don’t like the colour, shape or position of your teeth, but they’re healthy, cosmetic treatments might be suitable. We can assist you in determining with which group your concern would belong.
Is there any pain in cosmetic dentistry?
Most treatments are quite comfortable. Your teeth may be sensitive for a few days when they are whitened. Bonding and veneers require little or no numbing. Before we start we explain what you can expect and nothing surprises you.
How long do cosmetic results last?
It depends. Coffee, tea and wine drinkers will find that the whitening tends to wear off sooner, but touch ups can help. With proper care, the lifespan of veneers and crowns can be several years. The repairs to bonding may be required sooner. Regular visits, flossing and brushing makes it last a long time.
Is it possible to correct a crooked smile without braces using cosmetic means?
Sometimes. Small problems may be corrected using veneers or bonding. If you have more significant bite issues or crowding, clear aligners or other orthodontic methods are typically more effective. A consultation helps you understand the things that you can do in your mouth.
Could I be too old to do cosmetic dentistry?
No. Patients can be in their twenties and in their seventies and ageing has little impact on the outcome. The most important thing is to see if your gums and teeth are healthy enough for the procedure you wish to have done. Many of our patients are more comfortable with their smiles after they reach the age of fifty.
