Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Given the opportunity, most people want to improve some imperfection about themselves, irrespective of how small it is. For some, that imperfection is their smile and for them improving their smile is a way to improving their self-confidence. Feeling great about your teeth and smile is correlated to feeling happy in your appearance and general mood. For those that are unhappy with their smile, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry options available to transform how your teeth look and ultimately improve your smile. Common fixes that are sought are:
- Chipped teeth
- Stained and discoloured teeth
- Missing teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Gap between teeth
Despite being elective (your choice), cosmetic dentistry has a variety of other benefits besides improving your appearance. A new smile can promote better oral hygiene by wanting to maintaining it. Aside from looking great, a new smile can make you feel great and improve your self-confidence be it at work, at home or out on the town.
Knowing what you want to change will decided whether or not cosmetic dentistry is the right option for you. It’s easy to say you want to have a better smile, but being specific as to what you want to change will define the treatments you will require. The more precise you can be in your consultation will help your prosthodontist work out a treatment plan to achieve the new smile you are proud of.
Whilst general dentists may advertise it, cosmetic dentistry is an area which requires a specialist known as a prosthodontist. Therefore having a conversation with a prosthodontist is the first step to improving your smile. He or she may also recommend other specialists initially before having any cosmetic treatment. Specialists such as a maxillofacial surgeon or orthodontist.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Veneers: Porcelain or composite veneers are bonded to the front of the existing tooth surface to improve the appearance of a natural tooth. Porcelain veneers are used to eliminate a range of problems including stained or dark teeth, reshaping a tooth, or even to close the gap between teeth.
Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening improves the shade of your teeth to a brighter white look. If you’ve ever wondered why that Hollywood movie star has a bright white smile, it’s down to having their teeth whitened.
Dental Implants: replace the entire tooth and are often the preferred choice for tooth replacement because having a dental implant is almost like having your natural tooth again.
Dentures: are prosthetic devices made of plastic or metal to replace missing teeth; they can replace one tooth, several teeth or a full jaw using well established techniques that have been in use for decades.
Get a Second Opinion
At Western Prosthodontics, we follow an ethical and honest approach to cosmetic dentistry. If we feel a particular treatment option is not right for you, we will advise you and refer you to other dental specialists we know and trust.
Many of our patients have come to us for a second opinion on the treatment options their dentist has recommended. If you’re wondering if you should seek a second opinion for your dental treatment, then you probably should. Most people are happy to gain a second opinion when it comes to their medical health but aren’t so sure for dental issues.
For general and specialist dentists, second opinions are part of the doctrine and professional code, so they expect some patients will want to gain more information to allow them to make an informed decision. If you would like a second opinion at Western Prosthodontic Centre, call us on (08) 9321 1632 or contact us online.