Most people are not born with the genetic ability to have perfect, healthy teeth. Environment and diet are a factor regarding how our adult teeth develop, but genetics have something to do with it, as well. Some people are more inclined to produce cavities than others, even though they watch their sugar intake. Some people naturally develop crooked teeth the first time their adult teeth start popping up. Others have more sensitive teeth and gums, or other issues such as TMJ or weak enamel.
Naturally, taking care of your oral health is the first step, despite what genetic dispositions your teeth have. Soda and other acidic drinks, for example, weaken enamel, so if you have weak enamel to begin with, it’s a good idea to stay from those types of beverages. You may not get cavities very easily, but eating candy all the time still won’t help produce a healthy mouth. Visiting the dentist regularly will help curb issues, but it cannot always fix cosmetic problems you have.
Cosmetic dental issues can also be from genetics, such as crooked teeth or gaps. Environmental factors, such as rotting as a result of poor oral hygiene, broken teeth or fillings you received before fillings were tooth-colored are all things that can be fixed with cosmetic dentistry. Necessary treatments are helpful with issues that affect your health. Elective treatments occur when you decide to work with a cosmetic dentist professional to receive a treatment that will affect the way you look.
Cosmetic dentistry is not the same today as it was a few years ago. People can now change their entire look – and outlook on life – with general, affordable procedures. There have been so many technological advancements that many teeth and gum issues are no longer issues, but simple problems that can be remedied with simple processes. Industry trends, as affected by both technology and the beauty industry, show what steps can now be taken to fix the way your smile appears. Below are a few of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures:
Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment Trends:
Teeth whitening:
Today, everyone wants white teeth. From smoking, to coffee, tea, red wine and just everyday eating habits, we develop stained teeth that don’t appear healthy or beautiful in all of the pictures we are taking and posting. We want glowing, beautiful teeth, so we ask our dentists how to achieve this. Besides in-office professional teeth whitening treatments, which are by far the safest and most effective whitening procedure, there is much we can do to get white teeth. One tip is to drink acidic drinks with straws to avoid direct tooth contact. Another tip is to rinse your mouth after drinking teeth-staining beverages, such as red wine. Lastly, an at-home treatment includes brushing lightly with baking soda and a little bit of hydrogen peroxide. Seek your professional cosmetic dentist before trying anything, of course.
Composite Bonding:
Many people have chipped, broken or discolored teeth. Teeth can be chipped or broken in many types of everyday accidents and discolored teeth are a natural occurrence after many years. Composite bonding is one way that cosmetic dentists fix these issues. Composite material is tooth-colored and has the same texture of your teeth. It is shaped to existing teeth and solidified with a special light. The finished look is a nice tooth that blends in with surrounding teeth.
Veneers:
Porcelain veneers are a huge trend for 2014. Both women and men turn to using dental veneers for many reasons. One is that veneers are a quicker alternative to braces to fix gaps or teeth that have moved. Veneers are helpful when teeth whitening procedures have not been successful. Veneers also can repair chips or cracks and provide strength to the tooth it is bonded against.
Dental implants:
Dental implants help with tooth loss and subsequent appearance changes that come with tooth loss. Implants are fabricated root replacements that function alongside a prosthetic dentistry procedure. They can drastically change the look of your smile and face, so they are a smart option when you have tooth loss or when you want to complete an entire smile makeover.
Adult orthodontics:
More and more adults over the age of 25 are receiving some sort of orthodontic treatment today. Adult braces are more acceptable and common to see, especially when orthodontists promise a quick, easy treatment time, such as 6 months or one year. Many adults choose Invisalign, as well, a clear braces alternative that isn’t as noticeable as the metal fixtures. Materials today are becoming lighter and lighter, so any adult orthodontic treatment isn’t as invasive or uncomfortable as it was in the past.
The CEREC machine:
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) is a restoration tool that allows cosmetic dentists to fix your smile in the office with very little downtime. CEREC machines can help fix decayed teeth, remove amalgam fillings, create dental crows or porcelain veneers. Your cosmetic dentist will use the CEREC CAD program to design 3D images of your tooth. The machine will then produce tooth fillings, crowns or veneers out of porcelain that match your natural tooth appearance. The product will then be placed and polished.
The cosmetic dental trends for 2014 are all about easy, reliable ways to fix your smile. Changing the appearance of your smile can really change your outlook on life. It is about having confidence and the ability to put your best face forward. The most popular dental procedures involve taking measures to gain this confidence, and cosmetic dentists know how to make this happen.
Discuss any smile issues you have with your cosmetic dentist and helpful dental team at Central Valley Dentistry, and see what they can do today to help you gain confidence in your looks. It is important to maintain strong oral hygiene, but remember, there are many options today for improving the look of your smile. Contact us to schedule your next appointment or dental checkup today.
