The benefits of a beautiful smile
Having a beautiful smile is about much more than physical appearance, it’s about how a good smile makes you feel. Here, Dr Moataz Shafik shares his advice for those who need dental help with their smile.
A human smile is an incredible thing. Not only does it express happiness and make you appear friendlier and more approachable, but it inspires others to smile too – that old saying that smiling is contagious.
When you smile, it sparks a chemical reaction in your brain, releasing hormones like dopamine and serotonin which make us feel happier and less stressed. (Low levels of these hormones are linked to depression.) Increased serotonin also helps boost your immune system, which makes you more resistant to illness.
As well as these health benefits, smiling also makes you appear more attractive, more successful and more likely to be promoted. Research from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UKMC) even suggests smiling makes us look younger, and, surprisingly, thinner!
What do you do though if you don’t love your own smile and feel self-conscious smiling? There are options available to improve the look of your smile, namely teeth whitening, straightening, crowns and veneers.
Before any action, your dentist will have an initial consultation to talk about what you do and don’t like about your smile and your expectations. Your dentist will take photos and impressions of your smile to determine which options are suitable for you, and then will design your smile. You will test these designs on your face, or have a “smile trial” as we call it, before deciding which option to proceed with.
Teeth whitening, straightening and gum-contouring
In some cases, only slight modifications may be required. We can contour gums to give your teeth and ideal proportions, which is a simple procedure using local anaesthetic. We can use orthodontic treatments (braces) to align your teeth.
Often, a good clean, refreshing old metal fillings, and a whitening treatment can rejuvenate a discoloured smile. If your natural enamel is in good condition, we can whiten your teeth, using our in-chair treatments. Alternatively, we can talk you through using an at-home treatment if your desired outcome is close to your natural colour.
Snap-On Smile
Snap-On Smile is painless, non-invasive option, that is custom-fit to your teeth. It is like a bridge, that fits snuggly on your teeth and you can remove as you please. It’s made out of very thin dental resin, that allows users to speak normally and still eat and drink while wearing it. It’s ideal for covering gaps, crooked, stained or missing teeth. We sometimes use Snap-On Smile as an alternative to dentures or plates.
Crowns
Crowns are used to protect a damaged or highly vulnerable tooth, such as one that has a big filling at risk of fracture or a tooth that has had root canal treatment and lost most of its structure. As a crown gives full coverage to the tooth, the tooth must first be reduced in size on every side in order to accommodate the crown.
Veneers
A veneer on the other hand, is a thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front of the tooth. While veneers can be used to protect the front of the tooth, they are usually for a cosmetic purpose. Veneers are very thin and require less preparation/resizing of the tooth structure (compared to crowns) as they only cover the front.
There are two types of veneers. Porcelain veneers are made out of a thin layer of porcelain, and are bonded to the front of the tooth. Composite veneers slightly cheaper, and made using a filling-like material that we apply and shape. Porcelain is not porous, so one benefit of porcelain veneers is that they won’t stain like natural teeth do. However, after five or so years, you may notice a little staining just on the edge of your natural tooth where it meets the veneer. Composite veneers may stain a little over time, sooner than a porcelain veneer would.
FAQs
What are the lifespans of crowns and veneers?
Around 10 years. In order to get longevity out of your crown or veneers, you need to take good care of them. This means six-monthly dentist visits.
What foods do I need to avoid if I have crowns or veneers?
Any hard foods like candy, sticky foods like toffees and caramels, tough meats, crusty breads.
Can I have crowns or veneers if I grind my teeth?
If you suffer bruxism (teeth grinding), we do recommend using an occlusal splint to protect the veneers or crown, and also your other teeth. Just because veneers and crowns are artificial doesn’t mean they are indestructible.
How do I care for crowns and veneers?
Treat them as your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss at least once a day, take care of your gums and see your dentist every six months.
