Obviously, wrinkles and fine lines can add a few years to your facial appearance. However, your smile is also an important factor. There are multiple visual aspects of your teeth that can potentially make you look younger or older. If you want to maintain a more youthful smile, then you should think about making a few improvements to your grin. Below are 3 ways that your cosmetic dentist can help you create a younger-looking smile.
1. Whiter Teeth
As the enamel protecting your teeth wears away, the underlying dentin layer becomes more visible, leaving you with a yellowed smile. And of course, years of drinking coffee can leave you with a few dental stains.
In order to brighten your dulled, discolored teeth, you can ask your dentist for a professional whitening treatment, which can brighten your enamel by multiple shades in a relatively short amount of time. If whitening isn’t enough to remove certain stains, you can instead have the teeth in question covered with customized veneers.
2. Hide Chips and Cracks
A lot can happen to your teeth over the years, and as a result, some of them might have small chips and cracks. Hiding the damage your smile has suffered over the years is essential if you want to look as young as possible.
There are a few different treatments your dentist might suggest for chips and cracks. Minor tooth injuries can often be quickly fixed with direct bonding while veneers can be useful for more extensive damage. If a tooth has been seriously injured, it may need to be restored with a crown. Luckily, nowadays you can get a crown made out of zirconia or another material that can be shaded to blend right in with your enamel.
3. Improve the Shape of Your Gums
Sometimes there can be a bit too much gum tissue in certain parts of your mouth. This can leave some teeth looking smaller than normal. If you want your grin to look as young as possible, then you need to do something about excessive gum tissue.
Your dentist may be able to help with a specialized cosmetic treatment known as gum recontouring. A gentle dental laser is used to remove unnecessary tissue. By the end of the procedure, all of your teeth should appear to be the right size.
Every patient is different, so the path to a younger-looking smile isn’t exactly the same for everyone. Take note of all the imperfections that have been bothering you lately, then make an appointment with your dentist to start exploring your treatment options.
About the Author
Dr. Dan Greenwood has been operating Greenwood Dental in Sagamore Hills since 1998. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University. From veneers to teeth whitening to gum recontouring, he has all kinds of options for restoring the youth to your grin. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenwood, visit his website or call (330) 467-2522.