Welcome to 2022 and brand-new beginnings for whatever you have in mind. Many people look forward to the fresh start and hope of change each new year brings. For those who have been considering a smile makeover, there is no time like the present. There are several reasons a person might want to consider undertaking such a project.
For some individuals, it is a matter of achieving a better bite. Ideally, a dentist identifies a wrong bite early so it can be corrected with braces; however, not everyone who needs braces is able to get them early on. Older individuals as well as young adults and adolescents are now getting braces to straighten their teeth. Advancements in dental technology and techniques have made it possible for people of all ages to have their bite corrected or teeth straightened.
Your dental issue may have nothing to do with getting your teeth aligned properly. You may have missing teeth that need to be replaced. Perhaps you have gone years with big gaps between some of your teeth. You have made do with the remaining teeth you have, and you have gotten used to making adjustments in your diet to accommodate the fact that you have trouble chewing some foods. In such cases, getting a smile makeover is not just for aesthetic reasons.
The aesthetic reasons for a smile makeover may be obvious, but more important are the health reasons. Missing teeth affect more than your appearance. If you have back teeth, or molars, missing, you do not have sufficient chewing surface to break your food down adequately. Your body may be missing out on nutrients because you are swallowing larger chunks of food than necessary. Also, those larger chunks of food could have a negative impact on your digestive system.
When you have minor dental imperfections that prevent you from having an ideal smile, a set of dental veneers may be all that is needed to enhance your smile. Thin porcelain shells are adhered to the front of your teeth, making your smile look perfect.
Some individuals are fortunate enough to have nearly perfect smiles naturally. The only problem is the staining that can make the teeth look dull and dingy. For these individuals, a simple, professional whitening procedure can make all the difference.
Renewing Your Smile with Dental Implants
There are several restorative options when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Depending on how many teeth you have missing and the condition of your jawbone, you may benefit from dental implants. This procedure is quickly becoming the method of choice for replacing missing teeth. When only one tooth is missing, the dental implant is the ideal way to fill in that space.
Dental implants are made to look like natural teeth. They are permanent restorations and when properly maintained, can last for decades. Certain requirements must be met in order for an implant to be placed successfully. Good oral hygiene, a healthy mouth and sufficient bone are needed for an implant to be placed. For individuals with insufficient bone mass, a bone graft may be advised. This procedure helps produce healthy bone over time in the area where the implant is going to be placed.
Dental implants can be used to replace any number of teeth, including a full arch. In this case, a denture is secured by implants. Implant secured dentures have many advantages over the traditional removable dentures. Traditional dentures can become dislodged when you eat, speak, cough or laugh. This can cause embarrassment. Also, food can become lodged under the denture, causing great discomfort. If you are out among friends or colleagues, this can lead to an awkward moment. Implant secured dentures eliminate this problem because the denture is locked in place. Your denture will not move or fall out. You will not need to use adhesive powders or messy denture pastes to keep your dentures in place.
Dental implants are also used for dental bridges. If you are missing teeth, including an abutment tooth to create a dental bridge, a dental implant can be placed to create an abutment tooth. This can eliminate the need for a removable partial, which has the same disadvantages as a traditional full denture.
Removable Dentures
When dental implants are inadvisable, traditional dentures may be recommended for replacing missing teeth. While not as secure as dental implants, they can still make a big difference in your appearance and overall health. When the chewing and biting surfaces of missing teeth are restored, you are able to chew your food sufficiently so your body is able to extract the most nutrients.
Whether you choose dental implants or traditional dentures, replacing missing teeth is important for optimal oral health. When those teeth are not replaced, a variety of problems can develop with the remaining teeth. They may move out of alignment, create gaps where plaque can accumulate and cause decay or gingivitis.
Correcting Misalignment or Crooked Teeth
There was a time when the only way to straighten teeth was to use metal brackets and wires to move the teeth into the best position. This was the case whether the misalignment was severe or mild. If you only had a few crooked teeth in the front of your mouth, metal braces were used to straighten them out. Fortunately, with advancements in dental technology and methods, this is no longer the case.
Mild misalignments and crooked teeth can be straightened with less invasive and more comfortable orthodontic methods. The use of clear plastic aligners like Invisalign® has revolutionized the way many orthodontic cases are handled. The aligners are removable and thus do not require special diets. Additionally, the clear aligners are hardly noticeable. They do not require as many visits to the dentist and you have the option of seeing what you will look like when the treatment is completed, thanks to computer imaging.
For individuals who do need traditional braces to straighten more severely misaligned teeth, there are also clear braces and tooth-colored braces that are less noticeable than the silver metal type. Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on the best method for straightening your teeth after taking into consideration the severity of the misalignment.
An improved smile is not the only advantage of getting your teeth straightened. Brusing and flossing your teeth to remove plaque and food debris becomes easier with the elimination of hard-to-clean areas caused by overlap or crowding. Some individuals will find that their speech may improve with straightened teeth.
Dental Veneers for the Perfect Smile
When you have minor imperfections in your teeth, an investment in dental veneers may be the most efficient way to improve your smile. Thin porcelain shells are adhered to the front of the teeth within the smile line. These shells can mask a variety of imperfections such as discolored teeth, small gaps between teeth and misshapen teeth. The procedure for placing dental veneers is often done with little or no anesthetic and can be completed in one visit.
This year, if you are considering enhancing your smile, make an appointment with one of the dentists at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta for a consultation. Let us show you the procedure that will create your very best smile.
