If you are lucky enough to have been born with perfectly straight, white teeth then this is possibly where you stop reading. If however you are not one of those lucky few then obtaining the perfect smile may take a little more work.
There are very few problems that cosmetic dentistry can not solve. If you are unhappy with your smile then chances are you will avoid smiling in public and in photographs and it some cases it will affect your self confidence and self esteem.
Braces can be used in both children and adults to help align and straighten crooked teeth with excellent results. Recent advances in cosmetic dentistry have helped develop a form of practically invisible braces. These are barely discernible and are particularly popular with fashion and image conscious teenagers as well as adults.
Sometimes however this isn`t quite enough and other procedures such as veneers or bonding may be beneficial. Veneers are tailor made, thin pieces of tooth colored porcelain which can be glued to the front of individual teeth to give the appearance of a better alignment. Composite bonding can also be used for this purpose and can also be used for tooth colored fillings and tooth repair.
If you have a pronounced gum line, also often called a `gummy smile` a procedure called contouring may be recommended. Using a scalpel or a laser, the excess gum which is covering the teeth is cut back to reveal more of the tooth. With the use of a local anesthetic, this is a painless procedure and can provide spectacular results.
Stained or discolored teeth are another common problem area when it comes to obtaining that perfect Hollywood smile. Staining and discoloration can be caused by a number of factors including coffee, red wine, curries and smoking as well as some medications.
Staining and discoloration be either extrinsic (on the outside of the tooth) or intrinsic (on the inside of the tooth). Whitening toothpastes can only go so far to combat staining mainly due to the amount of time they spend in contact with the teeth so if the color of your teeth is an issue for you it is a good idea to discuss this with your dentist. Treatments can include veneers or composite bonding as above or laser whitening or bleaching. Your dentist will advise which type of tooth whitening treatment is the best for you.
