It’s no secret that aging has an effect on everything about us, including our smile. Over time, the outer layers of our teeth wear down, leaving the dentin (a yellow-brown material) on the show, leading to an aged-looking smile. But, as science has demonstrated, a youthful appearance is within reach with some help from cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry is a rapidly growing field of dentistry that aims to improve the appearance of the teeth and smile by using dental materials such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, crowns, dental implants, and orthodontic appliances, among others. These procedures, coupled with a comprehensive dental hygiene routine, can help keep our smile looking young and vibrant for years to come.
The Effects of Aging on the Smile
Due to a variety of factors, such as diet, external factors, genetics, and – of course – simple aging, our teeth and smile begin to show the effects as we age. Over time, the enamel on the outer most part of our teeth wears down, making the underlayer – the dentin – visible. This can lead to a loss of vibrancy of our teeth and an unnatural, aged-looking smile.
In addition to this, the jaw and teeth undergo changes as we age. These changes can lead to teeth shifting, which may cause crowding or spaces between teeth, leading to thin-looking gums. This loss of support structures in the mouth can lead to a loss of facial support, which can add years to our appearance.
But, the good news is that many of these changes are entirely reversible with a little help from a cosmetic dentist.
How Cosmetic Dentistry Maintains a Youthful Smile
Cosmetic dentistry can help maintain a youthful smile in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it can help to whiten teeth and remove stains. While teeth whitening products can be found over the counter at many stores, the results are often not as dramatic or long-lasting as those found in a dentist’s office. A cosmetic dentist can offer professional strength teeth whitening strips, gels, and even in-office procedures, such as laser whitening, to help make your smile look younger.
Veneers, are another popular method of helping to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile by covering up imperfections in the teeth. A dental veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that can cover a variety of dental issues, including misshapen, uneven or severely stained teeth. Depending on your personal dental health and goals, veneers can be applied individually or as a full set to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Dental bonding is a technique in which an aesthetic dentist will adhere a tooth-colored composite material to the surface of the tooth to help reshape it, close small cracks or spaces, and even hide discoloration. This can be a more conserving treatment option compared to veneers as it does not typically require as much tooth preparation.
Crowns are another method that may be used to help restore or even improve the appearance of a tooth, depending on the areas of concern. A crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth, typically used when a tooth is damaged or broken. The crown itself can be made out of different materials, ranging from all-metal to all-ceramic. Even an all-metal crown can be made to look very natural, blending in seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Dental implants are another popular method of helping to maintain a youthful smile. A dental implant involves surgically inserting a titanium screw into the jawbone, on which an artificial tooth or teeth are mounted. These implants are widely used to replace missing teeth and can look and function just like natural teeth.
Finally, orthodontics can be an invaluable tool in helping to achieve a youthful-looking smile. Using braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign, a dentist can help shift teeth into correct alignment or close gaps between teeth. This can help to improve not only the appearance of your teeth and smile, but also the function of your bite.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that our teeth and smile can show the effects of aging, but with some help from a cosmetic dentist, we can get the youthful smile we’ve always wanted. It’s important to remember, however, that maintaining a youthful smile involves a comprehensive dental health care routine, including regular dentist visits, good dental hygiene, and a healthy diet. With good dental health
and the help of a cosmetic dentist, we can all keep our smiles looking young and vibrant for years to come.