If you are self-conscious about your smile, you are not alone. Many people feel that their self-confidence would improve if only they had a better smile. The good news is that many common dental conditions can easily be fixed.
The following are problems people often have with their smile and can be fixed, sometimes in as little as one appointment. Here are a few common complaints and how dentists go about treating them.
Dull Teeth
No matter what you eat or drink, teeth will naturally darken with age. Those who drink a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine are at higher risk of teeth staining, as are those who smoke or have poor oral health.
However, teeth whitening is one of the simplest dental procedures with the most noticeable results and can be done in a single appointment [1]. This in-office procedure allows your dentist to whiten your teeth to your preferred shade, whether you want a subtle whitening or a dramatic, ultra-white smile. Dull or discolored teeth allow you to have the smile of your dreams and not be embarrassed by stains or uneven color.
Old Dental Restorations
Dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, bridges, veneers, and dental implants are meant to enhance your smile. However, dental restorations may begin to look less than stellar over time. Fillings, crowns, bridges, and veneers all need to be replaced eventually, so if you have old dental restorations, it may be worth fixing them.
Over time, fillings can shrink and crack, crowns or bridges may develop dark areas around them, and veneers may begin to pull away from teeth [2]. And although dental implants should last for many years, a failing implant may look unsightly in the mouth, with the abutment connecting the dental crown to the implant showing.
Replacing your old dental restorations as needed helps ensure your smile looks bright, natural, and beautiful!
Missing Teeth
If you are missing a tooth or teeth, replacing it is essential, and not just for aesthetics. A single missing tooth can cause your teeth to shift because the body will naturally get rid of the bone that held the tooth in place over time, which can cause crooked or gapped teeth, an improper bite, and even a sunken facial appearance [3].
There are many options for replacing a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants are an excellent choice, but you may also have the option of veneers, bridges, and dentures.
You don’t have to live with the consequences of missing teeth!
Worn-Down Teeth
Worn-down teeth can dramatically alter your smile, making your teeth look shorter or fit together differently. Worn-down teeth can happen from bruxism (teeth grinding) or from improper use of the teeth, such as from chewing on ice or pencils.
Teeth that have been worn down can also cause tooth sensitivity and discoloration in addition to their aesthetic challenges. Dental veneers and crowns can help patients with worn-down teeth restore their smiles so they can look and feel their best [4].
Uneven Gum Tissue
Irregularly shaped gum tissue can happen for various reasons, most of which can be corrected. Whether you are dealing with uneven gum tissue—in which the gums go too far over some teeth but not others—or a “gummy” smile, in which the gums cover too much of all the teeth, treatment is available.
Treatment for uneven gums may include laser therapy, correcting the issue causing the irregular tissue, such as crooked teeth or a misplaced dental restoration, or gingival contouring [5].
Don’t Wait to Get the Smile of Your Dreams
Whether you’re worried about dull or discolored teeth, gummy smile, missing teeth, or worn-down teeth, treatment is available, so don’t wait to get the smile of your dreams. Contact your experienced dentist today to schedule a consultation for improving your smile!
Sources:
1. https://www.ada.org/en/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-
health-topics/whitening
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4663659/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15850992/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9404995/
5. https://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/article-1-368-en.html
