Are Most People Satisfied With Their Smiles?

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Are most people satisfied with the state of their smile? Unfortunately, a 2012 study commissioned by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) revealed that one-third of American adults are unhappy with the look and feel of their teeth. This figure indicates that many people have cosmetic dentistry or orthodontic needs that are not being met.

The dissatisfaction affects both genders equally, yet it appears to be more prevalent among women than men, as 70% of female respondents reported overall unhappiness with their teeth compared to only 58% for males. Additionally, over half of those surveyed believe cosmetic dentist services will help improve their smiles and make them happier. A major contributing factor to this dissatisfaction is poor oral health resulting from incorrect bites and crooked teeth. Approximately 20% of the population does not have an ideal bite and this could be why cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular.

If you’re someone who isn’t happy with their smile, you have several options to improve it. We’ll review the problems that may cause an imperfect smile, how they can affect people’s lives, and dental procedures you may want to consider. Read further to see how a cosmetic dentist can help you gain the smile of your dreams.

How a Beautiful Smile Impacts Your Life

Have you ever watched a movie or TV interview with a celebrity and sat there amazed at their smile? Did you ever feel envious of their beautiful teeth? We all know that a bright smile can make someone stand out in a crowd. A cosmetic dentist can help you get the perfect set of pearly whites, but it’s not just about looking good; having an attractive smile can have significant effects on your life.

A recent study conducted by AACD showed that 41% of people said an unattractive smile has hurt them professionally. This clearly indicates how important it is to invest in cosmetic dentistry if you’re unhappy with your smile. Additionally, 74% of respondents believe a beautiful smile makes them more appealing and 59% said they are more likely to gain new friends when they are confident about their looks.

When it comes time to do a job interview, who do you think a high-ranking job will pick to represent the company? Will the hiring manager go for someone with one tooth that is yellow or someone with mostly straight pearly whites? A cosmetic dentist can help you make sure your oral aesthetics are top-notch by taking care of any discoloration or staining.

Are you on the dating market? A cosmetic dentist can help you make sure your smile is attractive. According to the study, 77% of participants said they feel more confident when their teeth are in good condition. This improved confidence is something that almost everyone wants and cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve it.

What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do for You?

The field of cosmetic dentistry continues to evolve as more advanced procedures become available. There are many cosmetic treatments that a cosmetic dentist can offer, ranging from whitening and veneers. It’s important to get professional advice from a cosmetic dentist on the best course of action for your particular needs.

The cosmetic dental industry offers a range of services to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth. Examples include tooth whitening, smile makeovers, veneers, and invisible braces. While there are some risks associated with cosmetic dentistry procedures, the majority are safe when performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist who has experience in their field. Many people choose to go for cosmetic dental treatments as they can help them feel better about themselves and boost their self-esteem.

Tooth Whitening

You may have wasted your time with whitening toothpaste and other over-the-counter products, only to find out that it doesn’t work. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry offers a more effective solution in the form of tooth whitening. Professional tooth whitening is done by a cosmetic dentist and is much more powerful than store-bought products.

The cosmetic dentist will examine your mouth and teeth to determine the type of teeth discoloration you are dealing with before they recommend any treatments. As a professional, he needs to be certain your tooth discoloration is from surface issues like food or tobacco stains as opposed to underlying health problems. Did you know stained teeth can result from illness-related issues such as antibiotics or chemotherapy? A cosmetic dentist will be able to assess your situation and provide you with the best course of action for achieving a desirable outcome. Once the cosmetic dentist feels everything is kosher, it won’t take long to give you a super white smile.

Some cosmetic dentists may also give you custom trays to use at home, but it’s important to follow the cosmetic dentist’s instructions to get the best results. However, it’s faster and easier to let the professional handle it to make sure everything goes as planned.

Are you in a hurry? No problem! An office visit for professional tooth whitening at a cosmetic dentist’s office only takes about an hour. This is because cosmetic dentists use highly concentrated bleaching gels with faster-acting active ingredients.

Is this a permanent solution to white teeth? Well, that depends on you. Professional teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades. The results can last for up to two years, depending on how well you care for your teeth. If you want to keep that megawatt smile, a cosmetic dentist can provide you with the best advice for maintaining your new look. The best way to maintain your new look is to avoid or use in moderation drinks like coffee, tea, and wine. If you’re a smoker, cosmetic dentistry recommends that you stop smoking altogether. Of course, you must be vigilant about oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing.

Veneers

Now if you really want to have a permanent whitening solution, cosmetic veneers could be the answer. Cosmetic veneers are thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain or composite that cosmetic dentists bond to the front of your teeth. This will cover any imperfections like chipped, discolored, broken, and crooked teeth.

Veneers are a great cosmetic dentistry solution for people with stained, chipped, or unevenly shaped teeth. Cosmetic veneers can also be used to fill large gaps between teeth and even make your teeth appear straighter. The cosmetic dentist will take an impression of your mouth and create custom veneers that fit your natural smile line. The dentist will usually have to shape down your natural teeth before placing the veneer shells over them.

Getting cosmetic veneers isn’t covered by insurance but many cosmetic dentists offer payment plans that can help you spread out the cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures over several months.

Maintain your veneers by avoiding biting down on hard surfaces, since cosmetic veneers are susceptible to chipping and damage if you’re not careful. In addition, cosmetic dentists recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, along with flossing at least once a day.

Dental Bonding

If you have a small gap but don’t want to get a crown, cosmetic dentists may suggest cosmetic bonding. Cosmetic bonding is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure where cosmetic dentists apply composite material to your teeth and shape it into the desired shape of your smile. This cosmetic dentistry treatment is much less expensive than dental veneers and can last up to five years with proper care.

Bonding is good for cosmetic dentistry because it can fix minor cosmetic issues like chips, gaps, and discoloration. It is also a fast procedure that cosmetic dentists can do in just one appointment. To maintain cosmetic bonding, cosmetic dentists recommend avoiding biting down on hard surfaces like ice cubes and pencils or teeth grinding.

Dental Crowns

If cosmetic bonding doesn’t work for you, cosmetic dentists may suggest crowns if your tooth is badly damaged. Dental crowns are caps that dentists put over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and aesthetics. This cosmetic dentistry procedure will require at least two visits to the dentist.

Dental crowns are good for cosmetic dentistry because they can fix a wide range of issues like discoloration, chips, and cracks. A dental crown also restores the function of a badly damaged tooth. That’s why an endodontist often suggests a crown after completing a root canal procedure.

With proper care, crowns can last up to 10 years. The dentist starts by taking an impression of your tooth and sending it to a dental lab to create the crown. During your second visit, dentists will fit and adjust the crown to make sure it fits perfectly and looks natural.

Dental Implants

Of course, a cosmetic dentist can only work on teeth that are still in the mouth. However, if things have progressed to the point where you have missing teeth, the only solution is to use dentures or implants. Dental implants have become the procedure of choice for many people with missing teeth since they look and feel like natural teeth.

Dental implants are good for cosmetic dentistry because they can replace one or more missing teeth and restore your smile. The dentist will insert a titanium post into your jawbone and attach a crown to the post. The cosmetic dentist will take an impression of your teeth and make sure the implant is properly placed in the jawbone. It can take months from start to finish because the posts must adhere to the jawbone before the cosmetic dentist can attach a crown.

Dental implants are very durable and can last a lifetime with proper care. You’ll need to brush and floss regularly, just like natural teeth, and make sure you are getting regular professional cleanings. Gum health is particularly important when it comes to dental implants since your gums should be healthy before the cosmetic dentist can begin the procedure.

What To Look For in a Cosmetic Dentist

When looking for a cosmetic dentist, you want someone with the right credentials and obvious experience. Check their website for photos of past cosmetic dentistry cases they have done and read online reviews to get an idea of their work. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the cosmetic dentist as you’ll be spending a lot of time in their office. Usually, patients that have had excellent work done are more than happy to share their experience with cosmetic dentistry.

It’s also important to know that cosmetic dentistry is more than just cosmetic, it involves dental health as well. While your cosmetic dentist focuses more on the aesthetics of your teeth, they still understand how important good oral hygiene is. Before any procedure, even tooth whitening, expect your cosmetic dentist to examine your mouth for any underlying issues. If something alarms them, they may send you to a general dentist for certain procedures before they can help you.

When many people visit a cosmetic dentist, they often take photos of the ideal smile they want to achieve. This will give the cosmetic dentist an idea of what you hope to accomplish and can help them create a treatment plan specifically for you. Bear in mind that if your teeth are extremely misaligned or crooked, you may have to go to an orthodontist instead.

Are most people satisfied with their smiles? Unfortunately, many Americans are unhappy with the way their smile looks. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentists can help restore a person’s smile and confidence. With cosmetic bonding, dental crowns, and dental implants, cosmetic dentistry can make a huge difference in improving the appearance of your teeth and the way you feel about your smile. No matter what cosmetic dentistry procedure you choose, do your research to understand the procedure and ask questions at the office. It’s also essential that you find a cosmetic dentist who’s experienced and qualified so that you can get the best possible results from your cosmetic dentistry treatment. With a great cosmetic dentist, you can have that perfect smile you always wanted. Contact our office today so we can get started on giving you the smile of your dreams!