Dental Features That Can Be Improved With A Smile Makeover

Posted on: 16 July 2021

To achieve a smile makeover, your dentist will likely use multiple cosmetic applications that alter the appearance of your teeth. Here are some of the dental features that may be improved.

The Length of Your Teeth

People with short, peg-like teeth may look older. As a person ages, the length of the teeth may decrease from the wear and tear on the tooth material that occurs over time. The result is a smile that may display shorter teeth and more of the gums.

To increase the length of the teeth, the dentist can use dental veneers or composite bonding material. Veneers, which are shell-like coverings that are attached to the front of the teeth, cover the underlying teeth and make them appear longer.

Composite material works in a similar manner. However, the moldable material is added to the bottom of the teeth to increase their length. Once the appropriate tooth height is achieved, the dentist hardens the material in place. 

As your dentist lengthens your teeth, they consider the effects of the dental changes on your smile line. The smile line is an imaginary curve that runs parallel to the edges of your top teeth from one side of the mouth to the other as your smile. For perfect uniformity, the curve of your bottom lip should coincide with the smile line as you smile. 

Gummy Smiles

Sometimes, regardless of the length of the teeth, the smile appears gummy. The dentist can use a laser or a scalpel to reduce the amount of gingival tissue that is displayed when you smile. Since the gingival reduction automatically reveals more tooth material, the modification of the gum line can automatically make the teeth appear longer. 

Discolored Teeth

Teeth whitening can help rid the teeth of food-based stains. The whitening products used in the applications are often peroxide-based and work by bleaching the stains from the pores of the enamel. Nevertheless, chemical whitening products are only effective at removing stains that are not permanent.

Permanent dental discoloration must be addressed differently. Veneers or crowns can be used to cover the discolored teeth. Also, the dentist may replace dental fillings to improve the color of the teeth. Fillings that contain amalgam can be replaced with composite fillings that are white in color. 

If you would like to have your smile transformed using cosmetic dental procedures, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.

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