Say cheese! When you are unhappy with your teeth, it’s easier said than done. Smiling in general – or worse, in photographs! – is something you learn to dread and have a major impact on your confidence.

A U.S. survey found that 48% of adults are concerned about not having an attractive smile as they get older. That same survey found that friendship is less important to people than oral health! 

 

Luckily, thanks to recent advances in dentistry, there are some easy ways to correct smile imperfections – and help you prioritise your relationships and social life. 

 

Here are 4 popular options to correct smile imperfections: 

 

Dental Veneers 

 

Dental veneers can help you restore the health and appearance of your teeth effectively. They are a great solution for minor imperfections such as chipped teeth, cracks, gaps in between teeth, discolouration or surface irregularities. 

 

Dental veneers are either porcelain or composite. For porcelain veneers, the dentist will shave off enamel from the affected teeth and apply tooth-coloured porcelain to it. It’s a permanent solution that achieves a natural smile with only a few trips to the dentist.

 

Composite veneers (sometimes referred to as dental bonding) fix minor teeth imperfections cheaply and quickly. This procedure requires the use of composite resin to fix gaps or chipped teeth. The material is less strong than porcelain, but depending on the issues you want corrected, it can be the better option for you.

 

Invisalign

 

Invisalign is a popular and effective way of correcting crooked teeth. While patients with minor imperfections often think of it as a viable solution, according to Dr. Katrina Zhao, Principal Dentist and Managing Director at Midas Dental “Invisalign is such an effective treatment that it can also fix severe misalignments.”

 

Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional orthodontic braces, a discreet solution to straightening teeth. You do need to be fairly regimented with this treatment, because you need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. That means a good eating routine and thorough oral hygiene. You can see it as a bonus: a perfect smile and healthy habits. Win-win!

 

Crowns 

 

Crowns or dental caps are mainly used to correct more serious issues such as badly-damaged teeth. For example, a tooth that has lost its nerve is weaker and also has an unattractive colour. The crown can then be placed on top of it to protect it from further damage and improve its appearance. 

 

You will need a couple of dentist visits for this procedure. During the first visit, the dentist will get a dental impression of your tooth and fix a temporary cap on it until the porcelain crown is ready. 

 

Teeth whitening 

 

If the only problem you have with your teeth is their colour, teeth whitening might be exactly what your smile needs. It is the quickest solution to improve the appearance of your teeth and it’s affordable, non-invasive and safe. 

 

It’s your best bet to remove stains and discolouration immediately, as opposed to over-the-counter solutions (that can be slow to work – or not work at all!).

 

3 other important reasons to fix your smile – that go beyond vanity:

 

  • A good bite – the proper positioning of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw makes for healthy eating and properly chewing your food. 
  • Proper digestion – the more efficiently you chew your food, the better the breakdown in the digestive system.
  • No jaw pain – TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) or TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) is pain that you feel in the face, ear, jaw, or mouth and it’s caused by poor misalignment. 

 

Conclusion

 

Correcting smile imperfections has a profound impact on your overall health and confidence. And if you’ve come this far in reading this article, you’ll most likely benefit from one of these solutions. But don’t forget, prevention is always key – and it’s never too late to incorporate these healthy habits into your routine: less sugar, alcohol and tobacco. Stay healthy and SMILE!