Cosmetic or Function?
For most patients, the decision to change or enhance their smile is cosmetic in nature. For others, they may consider changing their smile for functional purposes, or function and cosmetic reasons.
Functional Benefits
There are many functional benefits that can be had with an enhanced smile. Some patients may have a hard time biting or chewing food, due to the position or location of their teeth. If teeth do not make proper contact with each other, it can be hard to bite or chew food when eating. Patients who have an open bite are affected the most.
Patients who are missing certain teeth can also have a hard time chewing or even speaking clearly. A missing tooth makes eating difficult, since there is no opposing tooth to make contact with to chew the food. Having an empty space where a tooth used to be, causes the nearby teeth, that used to surround the missing tooth, to shift into that space over time. This shifting can alter your facial appearance.
Changing your smile through the use of orthodontics, which moves teeth around gently, helps to improve chewing and speaking function. Replacing missing teeth with tooth replacement options such as a dental implant, will help to restore chewing function, and prevent further negative changes to your facial appearance.
Cosmetic Benefits
For patients who are unhappy when they look in the mirror, enhancing their smile can have huge benefits for their confidence and self-esteem.
In surveys conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 52% of people surveyed said that they would smile more often, if they had a nicer smile. 38% of people say they avoid smiling in photos, due to the way their smile looks.
Smiles affects how we interact with others and it also affects how others perceive us. In surveys, a new smile has been associated with making a person appear more intelligent, successful, attractive and wealthy.
Fortunately for those who want a change, there are a number of cosmetic dental procedures available. These procedures can be done in as little as one visit for minor changes. Or they make take a few appointments, when a complete makeover is needed.
A common cosmetic dental procedure is changing the look of the top teeth that are visible when smiling. Dental veneers are an excellent way to change the size, shape and colour of your teeth, quickly and easily.
If you would like to enhance your smile, contact us for a complimentary consultation. We would love to discuss treatment options that are right for you.
Beautiful Smiles Start Here!