Do you wish you had a fairy godmother that could wave her wand and make your smile beautiful? Unfortunately, this probably won't happen. However, there are some almost-magical, quick-fixes for your dental problems that will make you feel like you are living in a fairy tale.
Accelerated Orthodontics
If you're looking to have straighter teeth, but are on a timeline, accelerated orthodontics may be the right answer for you. While traditional braces may take two to four years, the accelerated option takes less than a year. To speed up the straightening process, minor oral surgery is required. During the procedure, the gums and bones are shaved and adjusted to allow the teeth to migrate into the proper spots more quickly. Then, the regular braces are placed on, or behind, your teeth.
Snap-On Teeth
If you want a better smile for a wedding or a high-school reunion, a solution may be a snap away. Snap-on or clip-on dental pieces fit over your teeth to create a nicer looking smile. These removable partial dentures are made from a non-toxic polymer. Besides being quick and inexpensive, here are some of the other benefits:
- It's non-invasive. Unlike veneers and implants, there isn't any drilling or surgery involved.
- Since the dental appliance slides on over your chompers, it will conceal gaps between teeth, discoloration, and missing teeth.
Here are some of the drawbacks:
- Snap-on smiles are not a permanent solution. Eventually, they will need to be replaced.
- It is not a good fit for those with protruding teeth.
- It will not improve your oral health. If you are suffering from periodontal disease, this is not a solution.
Bonding
As you near your 40s, your top two front teeth can be up to two millimeters shorter than they were two decades ago. Likewise, as you get older, your teeth are likely to suffer chips and cracks. All of these things can age your smile. Luckily, bonding is a simple way to fix these flaws. The process is usually completed in one visit to the dentist. It only takes a few short steps:
- First the surface is etched, or roughened up, with a liquid or gel. This makes it easier for the composite to adhere to the tooth.
- Next, the dentist places an adhesive material on the tooth.
- After that, a tooth-colored composite resin is put onto the surface and then shaped to look like a natural tooth.
- Finally, an ultraviolet light is used to harden everything.
Your teeth's fairy tale dreams can come true, without the flick of a magic wand. For more information about these and other treatment options, contact a general dentist in your area.
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