Dream No More: How to Get a Perfect White Smile
March 6, 2020 12:48 pmDo you always keep your mouth tightly closed in photos – or do you carefully place your hand in front of your face when talking to people? If you feel self-conscious about your teeth, then you’re not alone – according to a recent study by the American Association of Orthodontists, over one-third of Americans are unhappy with their teeth. In the UK, this number rises to nearly half (according to the Oral Health Foundation). And, the statistics aren’t just limited to our own perceptions. An unattractive smile can affect career prospects, your love life, and day-to-day interactions with the people around you. For example, the same American survey found that those with straight teeth are 38% more likely to be seen as intelligent.
- Teeth whitening
This is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedures and is one of the quickest and safest too. Performed by dental hygienists in the dental surgery, it takes around 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. The result can be as much as 10 shades lighter. It’s quick and safe – so if you want a subtle lift rather than major work, it’s ideal. Drs. Nicolas & Asp uses Philips Zoom whitening, which offers one of the fastest and most effective treatment options available.
- Veneers and dental bonding
If whitening isn’t enough, then veneers can be the next option. In this procedure, a thin porcelain ‘shell’ is bonded to the front of each tooth. This is great for chipped, cracked, or crooked teeth – it covers the flaw, but little change is made to the actual tooth itself, beyond a slight roughening of the surface enamel. Veneers are natural looking and won’t stain, and they last for up to 20 years. However, do bear in mind it is a permanent change to your teeth. As with any cosmetic dentistry in Dubai, be sure to discuss it thoroughly with your dentist beforehand. Dental bonding is where a composite resin is applied to the tooth surface – this can be used to fill smaller gaps or tooth chips. A high-intensity light seals the resin once the dentist has applied it to the tooth. The whole procedure takes under an hour and lasts up to 10 years. It’s quick and inexpensive too. But, the composite material is not quite as hardy as porcelain and bonding can require a little more care and maintenance than a veneer or crown. As ever, it’s always best to discuss options with a trusted dentist to decide what’s best for you.
A crown covers the tooth in its entirety and is perfect for situations where a natural tooth needs to be strengthened as well as concealed. In fact, crowns cover a whole range of uses, including hiding fillings, disguising larger gaps, as well as holding an existing tooth together – say, if it has been damaged. For this reason, crowns are hugely popular in cosmetic dentistry in Dubai. Old-fashioned crowns used to be made of metal, but nowadays are likely to be porcelain fused to metal (PFM) or all-porcelain. PFM is stronger and is still colour-matched to your natural teeth by your dentist – though if you need a crown on one of your front teeth, all-porcelain avoids the dark line that can be visible against your gum. Crowns are made to measure for each patient and will likely require two appointments, to allow for a mould and custom-made tooth to be produced for you and fitted.
If your natural teeth require straightening, then this solution, available from the best cosmetic dentist in Dubai, offers a simpler alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign is like a retainer – worn whenever you do (or don’t) want, once it’s in place it will gradually straighten out your teeth – but you can still take it out when you need to clean your teeth or enjoy a meal. After an initial consultation with your dentist, a range of aligners will be pre-made, which you change yourself at home every two weeks. Dentist appointments are required every six to eight weeks – much less than it is typical for brace wearers. Perhaps most importantly, the aligners are next to invisible – so you can go about your daily life with minimal disruption or embarrassment.
An implant is a permanent solution that replaces natural teeth that have been lost or have had to be removed. While it’s a longer procedure, generally requiring more than one appointment across a number of months, an implant will last for years and can be managed in exactly the same way as your natural teeth. The procedure is performed by specialist oral surgeons – a small metal post will need to be inserted into your gum, and a tooth (actually a crown) is placed on top later. The finished result from the cosmetic dentist in Dubai will be a tooth that is indistinguishable from your natural teeth around it.
- Specialist cases
If you have a more complex situation, such as lost tissue, more than one missing tooth, or perhaps a condition such as a cleft palate or a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), then you may require something a little different. Drs. Nicolas & Asp has a range of highly skilled prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists that can all help you. It’s best to arrange an individual consultation, so a personalized treatment plan can be developed just for you. This could include a range of products such as veneers, crowns, and bridges, arranged to suit you best.
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