Did you know that half of British adults are unhappy with their smile, a fact from research commissioned by Straight Teeth Direct. This can be due to a number of factors, such as misaligned or discoloured teeth, gaps, or even missing teeth.
The good news is that dentistry offers a variety of solutions to help improve the look of your smile. One option is teeth whitening, which can help brighten stained or discoloured teeth. It is important to have your teeth cleaned before you bleach so you remove the stains first. You bleach the teeth, not the stains. Another option is orthodontic treatment, such as braces or Invisalign. While braces are more traditional and typically used for children, adults do use them, but usually don´t like to as they are so obvious in the mouth and take time to realign teeth and close gaps, up to 2 years or more. Invisalign on the other hand is a customized digital treatment plan in which a patient wears a set of aligners/trays that are changed every 1-2 weeks and the process can take as little as 6 months.
For those with missing teeth, dental implants or dentures both partial or full depending on if you have remaining teeth, can provide a natural-looking replacement. And if you have chipped or damaged teeth, dental bonding, composite restoration, veneers or crowns can help restore their appearance.
Improving your smile isn’t just about cosmetic benefits. It can also improve your overall dental health. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Replacing missing teeth can prevent other teeth from shifting out of place, leading to occlusion problems / bite problems and even more dental and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues in the future.
If you’re unhappy with your smile, make a dental appointment to speak with your dentist about your options. With innovative dental techniques and technology, achieving the smile you’ve always wanted is even more possible than ever before.