Smiles, all around
In the past few decades, there has been a significant and notable rise in the amount of people who are turning to cosmetic dentistry as a means of improving how their smiles look, as well as boosting their self-esteem. In today’s world, more than ever, people are becoming ever-conscious of the importance of looking their best, and the impact that their smiles can have on how they are perceived by others. As a result, more and more new patients are visiting their trusted dentist to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry could help them to maximise the potential of their smiles.
What cosmetic treatments are available?
Each patient who seeks out cosmetic dentistry does so – generally – to address one or more specific superficial issues that they have with their teeth. Some of the most common concerns that patients have is having either teeth which are stained or yellow in colour, teeth which are chipped, missing or broken, and teeth which are slightly misaligned or crooked. Each of these issues are addressed through an entirely separate range of treatment options, which is why each course of cosmetic dentistry typically starts with a consultation between the dentist and the patient. This first consultation lets the practitioner find out exactly what it is about the patient’s smile they are unsatisfied with, and allows them to detail the various options which would best suit the patient’s individual needs. Anyone who is considering a course of cosmetic density may be able to book in for a digital consultation with a cosmetic dentist to get their unique treatment plan underway.
Teeth whitening
One of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry by some margin, is cosmetic teeth whitening. There are many speculative reasons as to why this is one of the most popular treatments across the globe, with many attributing it to the non-invasive nature of the treatment, and others still attributing it to the ‘perfect’ teeth of celebrities and personalities within the media limelight causing many to pay closer attention to the shade of their own teeth. Teeth whitening has actually existed in one capacity or other for centuries and can even be traced back to the days of Ancient Rome, when ammonia within urine was used as a bleaching agent. Today, thankfully, treatment has made countless forward strides and now patient’s can achieve a brighter shade of enamel within as little as just one hour, and patient’s also have the option to carry out the whitening process from within their own homes. In-practice whitening, which is typically opted for to achieve the fastest results and is carried out within the dental practice, involves the creation of a unique mould of each patient’s tooth structure and shape. Into this mould, the cosmetic dentist places an approved and safe quantity of a peroxide-based dental whitening gel, after which the retainer is placed over the patient’s teeth and the bleaching agent begins to clear away the yellowness or superficial staining on the patient’s teeth, and leaves them with a visibly clearer smile after treatment has been completed. Home-whitening kits are also available, and operate within a similar method – although over a timescale of around two weeks and at a time and place which suits each individual patient.
