Would you be excited to flash a toothless grin? Of course, some people wouldn’t mind wearing such a smile, but I suppose they are in the minority, or maybe not. If you feel your smile is a tad too bland and need a revamp, cosmetic dentistry might provide a solution. But let’s face it, dental issues can impact your self-confidence or even your teeth’ normal function.
Treatment options vary depending on the individual and the problem they experience. A dentist will likely recommend a tailored procedure or solution with that in mind. For instance, you can seek specialized TMJ treatment in Lafayette to alleviate discomfort and pain.
So, what are some of the dental issues a cosmetic dentist may help you with? Here’s a description of a few common conditions:
1. Uneven Teeth
Disproportional teeth can impact your facial structure and cause wrinkling, making you appear older than you are. Besides, such teeth may not support your jaw as well as they should.
Irregularly shaped teeth may also result from TMJ disorder. TMJ denotes Temporomandibular Joint disorders, conditions that impact jaw joints and their supporting structure- muscles and ligaments. It may occur due to aging, trauma, and improper biting. If you have TMJ, you will likely experience jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, ringing in your ears, and tooth pain.
Schedule an appointment with a dentist to examine the functional bite issues you face due to uneven teeth. Your dental specialists can also get to the root of the problem and recommend options such as cosmetic bonding, use of veneers, or recontouring.
2. Cracked or Misshapen Teeth
Teeth tend to lose their structure as we age, making older people- from age 50 onwards- more prone to cracked teeth. Other causes of cracked teeth could include:
● Biting or chewing hard foods
● Grinding of teeth
● Detrimental habits such as chewing ice or gum containing artificial sweeteners
● dental procedures such as root canals or large fillings that weaken teeth over time
● Mishaps- accidents such as falling or sports injuries
A tooth fracture can affect the outer covering of your tooth, middle layer, and soft inner tissue. To provide appropriate treatment, a dentist must evaluate the affected layer and the extent of the crack or chip. Although a cracked tooth may be evident, you may not notice any symptoms. In other cases, chips may lead to pain and swelling.
Plus, the severity of the crack and its location would determine the course of action needed. For instance, a dentist can treat minor damage using bonding material to restore your tooth’s appearance.
On the other hand, misshapen teeth may result from genetic flaws or environmental factors. Ectodermal dysplasia syndrome is one such example of a congenital issue in which individuals have abnormally small, misshapen teeth. The condition can be widespread or could affect one tooth. However, early diagnosis of the disease allows a cosmetic dentist to adopt a comprehensive treatment plan.
3. Missing Teeth
Some significant causes of tooth loss include gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Also, genetic conditions may cause a child to be born without certain teeth. An accident could also lead to injury and subsequent tooth loss.
Missing teeth can lead to various issues. For instance, it can affect how you chew and jeopardize the stability of your remaining natural teeth. In some cases, remaining teeth may shift or tip to fit into the gap. Still, gum inflammations or diseases can destroy the jaw bone, making it less supportive. And oh, that’s before we discuss the impact of your pearly whites on your smile!
With the help of dental implants, bridges, or dentures, a dentist can restore missing teeth and that attractive smile. To find out which option best suits your needs, it’s advisable to seek advice from your prosthodontist.
4. Stained Teeth
Tooth discoloration occurs due to various reasons such as medication, lifestyle habits (smoking), and the type of food you ingest. If you’re contending with yellow teeth, you’ve probably noticed that brushing or flossing doesn’t work. Does that mean you should forego brushing? Nope.
Unfortunately, yellow teeth can severely beat your self-confidence by making you less attractive. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry can provide a quick fix. If the discoloration is more pronounced, a dentist may need to install temporary dental crowns to protect your natural teeth. Another option would be to use permanent, customizable porcelain veneers.
In some ways, cosmetic dentistry improves oral health by fixing deep-rooted or incidental flaws. Now that you’re conversant with common dental problems, don’t let such issues get in the way of your smile. Instead, talk to a specialist to examine your condition and the possible treatment options most suitable for you.
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