A 2015 study found that 28 percent of people don’t show their smile when taking selfies or pictures for social media because they don’t like their smile. And more than 80 percent of people think their teeth are unattractive in pictures due to flaws like stained, crooked or crowded teeth.
A 2018 study conducted by OnePoll showed that 57 percent of Americans cover their mouths when they laugh due to their insecurity over their teeth. And 50 percent of Americans smile with their mouths closed.
The OnePoll study also revealed that younger people are even more uneasy when they laugh, with 62 percent of people ages 25-44 covering their mouths when they smile versus the 20 percent who do it over the age of 45.
Additionally, seven in 10 people say they feel self-conscious about their teeth.
Don’t Be a Smile Statistic
Solutions such as whitening strips or porcelain veneers exist to correct some flaws. For missing teeth, you may consider more in-depth dental restorations such as dental bridges or even dental implants to replace missing teeth. And, there’s always orthodontics to help straighten crooked teeth. But, there’s something to ask yourself (or your dentist) before making cosmetic changes:
Is my mouth healthy?
And, if your mouth is not healthy, how does that impact your cosmetic dental restoration or smile makeover in the long run?
Our Approach to Cosmetic Dentistry
In the first step of your cosmetic dentistry journey at Legends Dental, we work to make sure your smile is healthy. This means free of dental issues such as tooth decay, cavities, and cracked, chipped or fractured teeth. We also check to make sure that your gums are in good health. The reason for this is that untreated dental health issues can worsen below your restorations, leaving you at risk of infection and pain.
We also take a look at your bite. Yes, some dental restorations are made to just cover up small gaps and slightly turned or crooked teeth, but these things can cause your bite to be misaligned. And, if your bite is off, this can impact the durability of your restoration and your overall health.
And, because we care about the long-term success of your cosmetic restorations and about you, we also look at your jaw health and structure before making any moves to fix aesthetic flaws. This is because if your jaw and bite are off, it can mean excessive force on your teeth and jaw joints, which can cause problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder. This excessive force is a result of teeth grinding and clenching, which frequently occur when your jaw and bite are misaligned.
So, by looking at all aspects of your oral health, including your bite, we can ensure that your cosmetic dental restoration will last longer and give you a better chance of having an attractive smile for years to come.
Once your smile is healthy, then we will begin addressing cosmetic needs.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Restorations
Legends Dental offers a full array of cosmetic dental services to help patients achieve the perfect smile. Here are some examples of our most popular procedures:
Dentures. If you have lost one or multiple teeth, dentures can provide stability and function while improving aesthetics. They can also improve chewing efficiency and reduce food impaction.
Veneers. Veneers are thin layers of material bonded over the front surface of your teeth. These materials can change color, shape, size, length, width, texture, translucency, thickness, etc., depending upon the patient’s desires.
Porcelain Crowns. Porcelain crowns are used to restore damaged teeth. A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring its strength and appearance. It provides protection from further damage caused by biting forces and helps prevent future fractures.
Bridges. Bridges connect two adjacent teeth using artificial components. When properly aligned, they create a natural-looking space between them.
Teeth Whitening. Teeth whitening uses light energy to remove stains from teeth without damaging enamel. Our office has several different types of bleaching techniques available, each designed to target specific areas of discoloration.
Dental Implants. This cosmetic option looks, feels and functions like your natural teeth. The result is a long-lasting cosmetic solution to replace missing teeth and complete your smile.
So, what do you say? Are you ready to get started with your new beautiful smile? Let us help you with all your cosmetic dental and dental health needs. Call us today to schedule your appointment.