Are you embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth? If you hide your smile with ugly teeth, then it might be a good opportunity to invest in cosmetic dentistry treatments to upgrade your aesthetics and boost your confidence at the same time.
Whether you have ugly gap teeth or your teeth are misshapen, crooked, chipped, or discolored – rest assured knowing that there are cosmetic dentistry solutions available. There is a treatment to fix every dental imperfection! When you find the right dentist, there are always options to improve the appearance of your smile.
Here are a few common solutions that might be recommended to fix ugly teeth:
Gaps or Missing Teeth
When a tooth is missing, or there are large gaps between your teeth, the holes can have an undeniable impact on your smile. Sometimes, the adult tooth never grew in after the baby tooth fell out. Other times, a tooth is damaged beyond repair, so the dentist recommends an extraction.
Even though our desire is to save natural teeth whenever possible, there are often situations when ugly gap teeth need to be fixed. One of the best long-term solutions is to replace missing teeth with dental implants.
A dental implant can be used for a single tooth restoration. Or, sometimes, implants are helpful for replacing multiple missing teeth. For example, an implant might be paired with a crown, bridge, or dentures, depending on the size of the restoration and your individual needs.
Keep in mind that most dental implants require at least 3 – 4 appointments. First, you need a consultation to determine whether dental implants are right for you. Then, during the first appointment, the implant post is secured into the jawbone. You’ll need to wait for 4 – 6 months before moving forward with the next phase of the procedure: placing the abutment.
Once the abutment is placed and the dental implant is healed, a crown, bridge, or dentures can be secured to the top of the implant.
Tooth Misalignment
Not only do misaligned and crooked teeth affect your appearance, but these dental issues can also take a toll on your jaw function. You might have crooked teeth due to genetics, or these issues can develop if the mouth is too small and causes tooth crowding. Trauma can also affect the positioning and spacing of the teeth.
Many people hesitate to straighten their ugly gap teeth because they don’t want to wear uncomfortable metal braces. If you want to avoid wires and brackets, talk to your cosmetic dentist about Invisalign for ugly teeth. Invisalign is an effective solution to gently move the teeth into the ideal location, with invisible plastic trays you can remove while eating. Most Invisalign treatments can be completed in 12 – 18 months.
Veneers are another option for minor tooth misalignment or misshaping. This treatment involves removing a small amount of the visible surface of the tooth and then placing a porcelain shell to cover the natural tooth. Veneers can often be completed in three appointments: a consultation, tooth preparation, and veneer placement. The good news is that quality veneers can last for as long as 15 – 20 years if you are proactive about proper dental care.
Jaw Alignment (Overbite or Underbite)
Sometimes, the alignment issues are more than crooked teeth. You might feel like you have ugly teeth because of the positioning of your jaw. An overbite or underbite means that your top and bottom jaws don’t fit together in the ideal position.
Traditional braces might be the best recommendation because bands can be used to reposition the jaw. In rare cases, jaw surgery might be the only option.
Decayed or Chipped Teeth
Tooth decay can cause visible damage as the teeth are rotting away. In addition to creating ugly teeth, this dental concern can also be a serious problem for your overall health. Oral health has a direct impact on the whole body, which is why it’s essential to be diligent about regular dental checkups and preventing cavities and gum disease.
The best recommendation is to take care of dental decay and chipped teeth as early as possible. When you are proactive about treatment, it’s easier to avoid bigger cosmetic services in the future. For example, a small cavity can quickly be removed, and the tooth can have a filling to restore the overall appearance, shape, and size of the tooth.
For bigger cavities, it might be necessary to complete root canals. When the decay moves deep into the tooth and affects the inner tissue, then a root canal is a method to remove the pulp and disinfect the tooth from the inside out. Next, a deep filling is put in place, and then an onlay or inlay will be put over the remaining structure of the tooth.
There are times when onlays or inlays are recommended for teeth without a root canal. For example, if a large portion of the tooth has chipped or a big filling has fallen out, you might benefit from an onlay, inlay, or even a full crown. This treatment fills in the missing part of the tooth to not only improve your smile but also restore function at the same time.
Discolored Teeth
Even if your teeth are straight and free of decay, a yellowing tint or discoloration can take a toll on your smile. Some people feel shy about their ugly teeth simply because of their color. The good news is that professional teeth whitening is a fast and easy way to fix ugly teeth.
This treatment uses technology to improve the overall shade of the teeth. While there are many over-the-counter products that you can use at home, such as toothpaste or whitening strips, these at-home products don’t compare to the results that can be achieved with professional teeth whitening services.
Schedule a Consultation to Fix Ugly Teeth
You don’t need to continue living with ugly teeth. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile, then it’s time to reach out to our team to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation. Contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas to learn more about available services.
