If you’re looking to fix a smile with major issues, you’re going to need more than a bit of lip balm and a tube of fluoride toothpaste. Improving crooked, discolored, and damaged smiles is the specialty of a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist. Thanks to modern advances in cosmetic dentistry, you can brighten your smile both quickly and easily—and often with minimal discomfort. Read on to discover how to fix your smile with the help of an experienced dentist.
Zoom! Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening improves the glow of your smile immediately and takes very little time to do. If your teeth have become yellowed or stained after years of drinking coffee or smoking, forget the whitening strips from the store and embrace the most effective solution with Zoom!
Developed by Philips, the Zoom! system uses blue LED light-accelerated technology to activate the hydrogen peroxide in a specially formulated gel. The entire process takes around 30 minutes, after which you’re given an at-home gel to maintain the glow.
Invisalign
According to a study commissioned by the American Association of Orthodontists and carried out by Wakefield Research, 78% of Americans perceive people with crooked teeth to be unsuccessful and 14% of people who aren’t happy with their smile think that their teeth might be affecting their professional opportunities.
Now, thanks to the Invisalign orthodontic treatment, adults and teens can achieve straighter teeth with a revolutionary system of graduated retainers. In contrast to traditional braces, Invisalign retainers can be removed for eating and brushing your teeth, and the desired alignment is generally achieved in under a year.
Cosmetic Bonding
If the only thing holding you back is a chipped or cracked tooth, cosmetic bonding could be the answer as far as how to fix your smile. Similar to a dental filling, a composite resin material is applied to the tooth and shaped to fill a chip or crack or to add length to a tooth that is shorter than the rest.
The primary advantage of cosmetic dental bonding is that it’s quick, it’s affordable, and it produces immediate results. However, it’s seen as a somewhat temporary solution, and that’s where porcelain fixtures come in.
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
Porcelain inlays and onlays take the concept of a “filling” to a new level with specially made pieces that are bonded to your teeth. These procedures are far more durable than fillings and are far less prone to staining and damage.
Just as in a filling, the damaged part of your tooth or teeth is drilled out. Then, a mold is taken and the porcelain pieces are made up in a dental lab. Finally, the pieces are bonded to your teeth—inlays inside the natural tooth and onlays on the outside. If you have visible cavities or misshapen teeth, porcelain inlays and onlays can greatly improve your smile.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers create a stunning smile in a very short time. Invented for the movie stars of the ‘20s and ‘30s, porcelain veneers create a “Hollywood” smile by covering your existing teeth with a thin, tooth-colored porcelain shell.
While the original Hollywood veneers were temporary, modern porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth after a small amount of tooth enamel is shaved off. With proper care, they can last 15 to 20 years before needing to be replaced with new veneers or crowns. Because veneers require healthy teeth, any tooth decay or periodontal disease will need to be addressed before the fittings are placed.
Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
If your front teeth are especially damaged or eaten away by years of wear, porcelain crowns and bridges could be the answer to how to fix your smile. Fitting like a cap over the tooth, porcelain crowns provide structural support, protect the natural tooth underneath, and give your smile a bright, full appearance that should last for 5 to 10 years or more.
Just like a crown, a bridge fits like a cap over your teeth—except that it covers several teeth at once. This makes it easy to create a beautiful smile with fewer procedures and at a slightly lower cost per tooth.
Dental Implants
Finally, if you’re missing one or more visible teeth, the best way to improve your smile is with the help of dental implants. Implants replace your tooth entirely—from the roots up—and provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. Whereas full and partial dentures can be awkward, uncomfortable, and less natural-looking, implants are just like your own teeth.
In order to apply an implant, an experienced cosmetic dentist will place a titanium post that fuses with the jaw bone (this replaces the root), then add an abutment onto the post, and finally bond the crown (a porcelain tooth) to the top of the post. The result of this three-stage process is an artificial tooth with a natural appearance.
Full Smile Makeover
If you find yourself constantly thinking about how to fix your smile, consider a full smile makeover. Performed by an experienced dental surgeon, a smile makeover incorporates any or all of the procedures mentioned above, leaving you with the smile of your dreams.
The Smile Makeover Process
At your initial appointment, your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and discuss your most pressing oral concerns. They may also take X-rays of your mouth to assess your eligibility for certain procedures. Once the discussions and testing are complete, your dentist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your budget and preferred timeline.
Benefits of a Smile Makeover
While a smile makeover is a significant investment, patients often find that it’s worth the expense. In addition to promoting better oral health, a smile makeover can:
Improve your confidence
Improve your relationships
Open up new professional opportunities
Choose a Cosmetic Dentist You Can Trust
After reading about how to fix your smile, you may have identified a procedure—or several—that could help you achieve the smile you desire. If you’re considering a single procedure or even a full smile makeover, ensure the best possible results by choosing an experienced dentist.
The best cosmetic dentists will take great care to assess your needs and possibilities, hear your concerns, answer your questions, and develop a completely personalized plan. The result will be a fabulous smile that you can enjoy for many years into the future.
