Cosmetic Procedures That Help You Have A Prettier Smile
A beautiful smile is a combination of even teeth, white enamel, the right amount of gum tissue showing around the teeth, and an upper lip that doesn't lift too much when you smile. Not many people are lucky enough to have the perfect combination of these features, particularly since changes occur with age, enamel staining, and gum disease. Fortunately, a cosmetic dentist can give you a smile makeover at any age that will improve your smile. Here are some techniques that might help you:
Stabilizing The Upper Lip
If your upper lip pulls up too far when you smile, a larger portion of your gums is exposed than normal. This gives you a gummy smile even if your gums and teeth are proportioned well. Sometimes it is possible to stabilize your lip so it doesn't move so much. This can be done through surgery or through Botox injections. When injections are used, the effects are temporary. The Botox keeps your muscles from raising your lips as much when you smile so your gums stay covered. However, the effects wear off in a few months while the surgery is permanent.
Improving The Appearance Of Your Teeth
A cosmetic dentist has several ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. Whitening them may be the only help you need. However, if you have uneven teeth or teeth that are too short, your dentist may want to use veneers or crowns to give them a uniform appearance. Veneers can also be used to cover slightly rotated or crooked teeth, which give you results right away. If your teeth have more serious misalignment problems, you may need to wear traditional wire braces or the more convenient aligner trays.
Reshaping Your Gums
Your gums can cover too much of your teeth. This makes your smile look gummy and your teeth look shorter. When this is the case, your cosmetic dentist can sculpt your gums so they rest higher on the enamel. That way, less gum shows when you smile. On the other hand, your gums might be receding instead. This makes your teeth look longer than normal. When this happens, your dentist may need to perform a gum graft to add more tissue to your gums.
Since gum problems are often the result of gum disease, it's important to improve the health of your mouth before you begin cosmetic work. You may need to have your teeth deep cleaned to treat gum disease and have fillings put in cavities so your mouth is ready for a smile makeover.
Contact a dental office like Carolina Forest Family Dentistry for more information and assistance.