Human beings are very self-conscious about teeth. We are fed a constant stream of gleaming gnashers in the media. They beam out from between Tom Cruise’s lips, they positively blind viewers of Love Island in their living rooms, and they even rise and fall in the mouths of newscasters. Many people choose to cosmetically alter their teeth. Here is a guide to the most common cosmetic dental procedures.
Whitening
Many people crave a whiter smile. Blinding white smiles are common on the silver screen and in television, but they do not occur naturally for many people. Tooth whitening is usually achieved by a dentist using a highly concentrated peroxide formula. Although home whitening kits are available, they are far less effective than in office procedures. Check out this guide to whitening your teeth published by dental experts.
Veneers
Veneers are extremely thin shells that are bonded to the front of damaged teeth in order to give them a more even appearance. Although the application of veneers is less time consuming than the application of crowns, the process is completely irreversible. The first veneers were developed by the actor Charles Pincus in 1928 to change the shape of his teeth for a performance. Luckily for Mr Pincus, he used a temporary adhesive.
Composite Fillings
Traditional metal amalgam fillings are typically darker than the tooth itself – making them rather obvious. In more recent times, composite fillings have become popular as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative. Although composite fillings are considerably more expensive than metal fillings, they are nearly invisible. Most dentists will offer composite fillings.
Crowns
Dental crowns are small caps that fit over the top of a damaged tooth in order to create a more pleasing appearance. In order to fit a crown, a dentist first has to file down the tooth they want to cover. They then cement the porcelain or porcelain and metal crown onto the ‘stub’ of the offending tooth. Dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years before they have to be replaced. It usually takes a couple of weeks for a dental technician to custom mold a crown. Traditionally, crowns were made from gold. Some dentists still offer gold crowns, which do have a glamorous – perhaps even villainous – look.
Braces
Braces are attached to the teeth in order to straighten them out. Most people have teeth that are crooked or crowded. This is not a major issue in medical terms but is considered undesirable by some people. Other people, of course, think crooked teeth are just about the most attractive feature a person can have. Gone are the days when braces caused immense pain and discomfort. Adult braces are relatively comfortable and unintrusive. Adults are embracing braces with increasing regularity. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the uptake of braces among people over the age of 18 grew by 14 percent between 2010 and 2014. Archeologists have found evidence of primitive braces being used by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. These devices were made of gold and catgut.
