Thanks to new technologies, many options can give you the smile you have always wanted. The magic of cosmetic dentistry can make your teeth whiter, perhaps making you feel more attractive. Cosmetic dentistry can affect self-confidence, relationships, career, and even how old you look. Longer, slimmer teeth can make a round face appear thinner. Shorter, wider teeth can help widen a narrow face. Veneers or crowns can make lips appear fuller. They can smooth upper lip lines and straighten slightly crowded or twisted teeth. Teeth can be made to look more feminine or more masculine, youthful or aggressive.

First, you may want to know if you are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Ask yourself the following questions.

Do you cover your mouth when you smile or laugh?
Do you keep your lips closed when you smile?
Are you unhappy with the shape or position of your teeth?
Do you see gaps, chips, crowding or dark fillings when you smile or laugh?
Do you worry that your worn, stained or yellow teeth make you look older?
Do your gums look unhealthy or do you have a 'gummy' smile?
Are you unhappy with the number of teeth you show when you smile?
Do you wish you had a more spectacular smile?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, cosmetic dentistry may be an answer. Your dentist will ask you specific questions about your smile. Let your dentist know everything that you are unhappy with and would like to change.

An attractive smile is an important physical feature. From the distance of a football field, the only characteristic of someone's face easily noticed is their smile. Surveys show that most people believe a great smile is an important asset and that an unattractive smile can make someone less appealing or hinder career success.

Deciding whether to improve your smile can be difficult. Your dentist's job is to find a solution that will provide you with the most natural and appealing smile possible.

Many patients report that if they could change anything about their smile, they would like whiter teeth. Teeth can discolour from the foods we eat and what we drink, as well as from smoking, trauma and the aging process. Tooth whitening is easy, affordable and painless. Although many over-the-counter whitening agents exist, the most effective are dentist or hygienist-supervised. It can be accomplished with take-home bleaching systems or in the dental office. Both methods are safe, reliable and usually effective.

What if your teeth are worn, chipped or cracked? Your dentist will want to know how this happened. Are you grinding your teeth? A proper diagnosis helps decide on appropriate treatment, which can range from simple bonding of composite filling material to porcelain veneers or crowns. If you are grinding (especially during sleep), your dentist may suggest a night guard (grinding appliance) to protect your teeth and prevent your new smile from reverting to your old smile!

To repair chipped or slightly crooked teeth, cover unattractive stains or fillings, or conceal gaps, veneers might be the answer. Veneers are paper-thin, custom-made laminates of porcelain that are bonded to your teeth. Once bonded, they are very strong, reflecting light like natural tooth enamel. Restorations can be crafted to look longer or wider to restore the esthetic balance to your smile.

What if your teeth are crooked? Although you can choose to straighten your teeth with traditional braces, orthodontic appliances made of clear plastics are a less obvious solution. Using clear, custom-fitted aligners, dentists can bring your teeth into their proper position without the metallic look of braces. If you want an instant correction, crowns can often be used to give the look of straight teeth.

Are you showing too much gum tissue? Are your gums a nice healthy pink color? Your dentist will want to ensure that your gums are healthy before any cosmetic procedure is done. He or she will also want to be sure that your tooth length is right. One way to deal with gummy smiles is to do a gum lift' or cosmetic recontouring of the soft tissue. Simply sculpting this tissue can produce amazing results. The procedure can also correct an uneven gum line.

Are you missing one or more of the teeth in your smile? Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. A titanium root is placed where the natural tooth should be and a replacement tooth crown is attached. The end result will give you a very natural smile. You can also replace missing teeth using bridges and partial dentures.

With today's technology, your dentist can help you get the smile you have always wanted using methods that are comfortable than before. For more information, go on-line to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry website at www.aacd.com or see your dentist.

Cosmetic Dentistry Modern technology can help you get the smile you want

Dentistry can relieve pain, prevent dental and periodontal (gum) disease, and help maintain good general health. Now, modern technology allows dentists to help patients both look and feel good.

Cosmetic Dentistry
Modern technology can help you get the smile you want