For those who are unhappy with their smile, it can have a huge impact on their everyday lives and leave them feeling self-conscious. This can greatly affect their confidence and result in things like avoiding social situations, dating and relationships, hinder their career and leave them feeling unhappy and insecure.
Cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular over recent years with evolving technologies and techniques meaning that it is now more affordable and readily available for those who want to improve their smile.
If you have been contemplating cosmetic dentistry treatment, then here are some things that you should know to ensure that you make an informed decision that aligns with your hopes and expectations.
Your Dental Health
Although cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth and gums, your dentist will need to make sure that your dental health is in order before they can carry out any sort of cosmetic treatment.
Your dental health is the priority and takes precedence over cosmetic issues so if you have any underlying problems such as tooth decay or gum disease, then these will need to be addressed before your cosmetic treatment can proceed. By resolving these issues prior to cosmetic treatment, not only will your mouth be healthier, but your cosmetic treatments should yield high quality, lasting results.
Your dentist will therefore conduct an examination at the consultation phase to determine if you are a suitable candidate or if some restorative treatments are required first.
Goals and Expectations
Consider what you want to achieve from your cosmetic treatments and be realistic about your goals and expectations. It might be that you hope teeth whitening will be enough to brighten and enhance your smile, but if you also have teeth that are misaligned then you might want to consider orthodontics to straighten them first, followed by whitening treatment.
Speak to your dentist about what you hope to get from your treatment and discuss the options available to you so that you can decide on the most suitable, effective and beneficial treatments for your needs.
Research The Procedure
Whether you know what type of cosmetic treatment you want or you are guided by your dentist on what will provide the best results, you should always go away and do your own research before agreeing to treatment.
Having an in-depth understanding of the treatments you are considering will help to prepare you for what’s ahead, allow you to come up with a list of questions to ask your dentist and any alternatives that you might prefer.
Be sure to look into your treatment choice and understand things like – what the procedure includes, downtime and recovery, costs, pain, longevity and weigh up the pros and cons to come to a decision.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cost of cosmetic dental treatment can vary depending on the type of procedure so it’s important to factor in how much it will be ahead of time so you can adequately plan and save if necessary.
Be careful that you aren’t tempted to opt for a cheaper treatment option in order to save money in the short term, as this may mean compromising on longevity and require additional treatments sooner. However, be sure that you aren’t agreeing for something that is out of your price range and that you aren’t financially prepared for.
Most dentists offer some very reasonable payment options and payment plans to help make spreading the costs of your treatment much easier.
How Long the Results Will Last
Before you agree to cosmetic dental treatment, you should always consider the longevity of the procedures results.
Veneers for example can last for several years and more, but you need to be prepared for the event that something happens, and that they could require replacing or repairing. The same goes for teeth whitening, as long as you follow the aftercare advice it can last from a few months up to 3 years so you will likely have to pay again in the future for top ups to keep them looking white.
Risks and Complications
Just like with any dental procedure, there are always potential risks that you have to take into account when making your decision. Things like orthodontics and veneers may require some time for the patient to adjust whilst whitening may cause minor gum irritation or tooth sensitivity.
Be sure to speak to your dentist about the potential risks and complications associated with your cosmetic procedures to ensure that you are aware of what they are and how following the correct aftercare can minimise them from occurring.
Pain Preparation
Knowing the amount of pain and discomfort that is to be expected from a treatment is important for every patient, but especially those who are not a fan of the dentist or feel apprehensive about undergoing procedures.
You should always ask your dentists what to expect with regards to pain and discuss the options around pain relief, anaesthesia and sedation. They will be able to give you realistic expectations so that you can adequately prepare for what is ahead.
Healing and Aftercare
Some cosmetic dental treatments have longer recovery or healing times than others. Teeth whitening for example is almost instant, but you will need to stick to the aftercare rules around food, drinks and cleaning for best results. If you undergo multiple treatments at once or have a smile makeover then it may take longer to heal.
Knowing how to properly care for your teeth following cosmetic dental treatment will go a long way to ensuring that you achieve beautiful, long-lasting results.
