One of the first things you notice when you meet people is their teeth. So it’s no surprise that most of us want great gnashers — or at least as white as we can get them, even if they’re not all that straight and perfectly aligned. And with hit TV shows like Love Island and others — in which contestants not only have amazing bodies but brilliant teeth — it’s no wonder cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers have risen dramatically in popularity.
Such is the demand for cosmetic procedures — including dentistry — in this part of the world, it’s now overtaking the United States, the traditional home of all kinds of personal makeovers, according to a recent survey. And it’s not just non-surgical procedures like Botox and dermal fillers people are seeking out and having done, but teeth improvements too. In fact, the majority of respondents (43%) said if they were to have something done, it would be cosmetic dentistry over anything else.
The poll found the reasons given for going to the dentist for a cosmetic procedure were mainly related to improving self-esteem and confidence — while respondents also said they wanted to look as good as they felt. Others said they wanted to combat the aging process while some were as intent on looking as young as they could — and felt having bright, white teeth were one way to go about it.
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a process of making your teeth as aesthetically pleasing as possible, which usually means whitening and straightening them. It can be just a matter of getting a professional tooth whitening kit from the dentist that you use at home, in conjunction with a specially fitted mould to ensure maximum results. Or it could be bonding, in which composite resin is used to fill gaps or repair chipped teeth, so they look how they used to — one of the most widely used and inexpensive cosmetic dental procedures there is.
If you want to go a step further and have a dazzling, celebrity smile, you can consider dental crowns and veneers, both usually made from porcelain — and sometimes partly of metal (although these have largely been phased out because they can become visible over time and look unsightly).
Veneers are a thin slice of porcelain fitted over the front of a tooth while crowns encapsulate the entire tooth. In both cases, the results are dramatic and stunning: teeth that are incredibly white and straight.
Smile Makeovers in Just One Day
As with many things now, technology has transformed how cosmetic dentistry and these days, it’s possible to have a smile makeover in just one visit to the dentist. Your practitioner will use a computer-based scanner to take detailed images of your teeth and gums, and then use software to create crowns or veneers that are ideal for your teeth’s shape. The crowns or veneers are made instantly in a special milling unit in the dentist’s surgery and then fitted.
This sophisticated and fast procedure means there’s no long and torturous waiting around and having to bite down on a mould for ages to take an impression of your teeth — and no repeat visits to the dentist either. There’s also no need to wear a temporary prosthesis after your teeth have been filed back in preparation for the real thing, and you’re waiting for your veneers or crowns to be made. The process also delivers highly professional results that bring the costs right down — meaning cheap cosmetic dentistry is now available in many places.
So, you no longer need to take out a second mortgage to have your teeth done so you can transform yourself into a real star.
