A candy lover, a diligent brusher, and thankfully, an inheritor of good genes, I get complimented on my smile the most. After one aesthetically-pleasing tooth implant and an in-clinic whitening treatment once every couple of years, my thoughts on perfect pearlies have begun and ended at gaps and colour. But there’s a world of anti-ageing dental interventions out there for those on a quest to that coveted celebrity twinkle. Today, dentists can manipulate the size, shape and arrangement of teeth to subtract years from a face. “If you’re not satisfied with your smile, modern cosmetic dentistry can completely transform your look. This method of professional oral care focuses on improving the appearance of not just your teeth, but also your mouth, gums, and overall smile,” explains Dr Viraj Kakde, the Mumbai-based MDS prosthodontist and co-founder of Dent Heal Clinics, who has worked with names like Kartik Aaryan and Tara Sutaria.
Whether you’d like to fix crowded teeth, a crooked smile, a misaligned jaw, discoloured teeth, or simply, one askew canine ruining an otherwise military line-up of gnashers, ahead are the best orthodontic treatments to opt for, their processes and the results you can expect.
Orthodontics
Teeth-straightening braces may seem best reserved for the teens. But orthodontics have come a long way from the rubber bands and metal brackets, says Dr Viraj Kakde. “Orthodontic dentistry or an aligner treatment is no longer limited to kids. Clear braces or clear aligners are the best, most discreet solution for those who didn’t get a treatment done in their formative years. The new generation of invisible options we present at our clinic are perfect for their efficacy and also their aesthetic value as compared to traditional braces. And they can be combined with other treatment modalities for the most appealing results,” Dr Kakde adds. The biggest caveat about orthodontics, he shares, is user compliance. “Invisible braces can be easily placed and also taken off, but they need to be worn 22 hours a day. I recommend them for milder cases, while fixed braces are more effective for severe ones. However, with advancements made recently, certain aligner brands like Invisalign can treat very complicated cases.”
Teeth whitening
For most of us, particularly tea/coffee addicts, teeth-whitening toothpastes will not help rid surface stains or discolouration of any kind. But the different in-clinic whitening treatments can surely give you a reason to smile wider and brighter. “The safest and the most effective way to whiten your teeth is at the dental office under professional supervision,” says Dr Reshma Chawla, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics) and the founder of Blanco Aesthetics. “LED based teeth whitening options have gained popularity in recent times, and for good reason. The two most popular treatments include Zoom teeth whitening and laser teeth whitening. The first process can transform the colour of your teeth within 45 minutes! At our clinic, we combine a peroxide-based gel along with the Zoom lamp to make for a sparkly white smile. You can leave the clinic with teeth that are 4-6 shades lighter with minimal to no sensitivity. Laser teeth whitening uses a peroxide based gel similar to the zoom but is activated using a laser, which increases the penetration of the whitening gel into the teeth. The results are fantastic and last upto 2 years. Teeth whitening is an instant, hassle-free process that can restore your confidence to smile within an hour. And God knows, we need to smile during these difficult times,” adds the celebrity dentist.
Composite bonding
This treatment is ideal if your teeth are slightly misshapen (chipped or fang-like). “Bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures, which includes adding a resin (tooth coloured material) to the edges of the teeth to make them appear straighter. But bonding cannot make very crowded or crooked teeth look straight. We use composite resin that’s closest to the surrounding teeth for a natural effect. Most often, it is used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discoloured or chipped tooth. Bonding can also be used to close minor spaces between teeth, and to make teeth look longer,” says Dr Kakde. A less demanding procedure, it entails a single sitting and usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. “Bonding usually lasts several years before it needs to be repaired,” Dr Kakde elaborates.
Veneers
For pristine, straight, even-looking teeth, it doesn’t get any better than veneers. “A veneer is a new front facade for a tooth that’s tailor-made to match a patient’s face and shape of the teeth. They are crafted from high strength ceramic or porcelain. You can compare it to getting your nails done, however, veneers’ shelf-life goes decades. From making the teeth look bigger or smaller and changing the shape, to fixing broken teeth or discolouration (where bleaching doesn’t work), veneers can give a complete makeover,” says Dr Kakde. From the first consultation to final fitting, the process can take a few weeks. “Our procedure includes thorough analysis, taking a series of photographs and sharing mock-ups. In the next stage, we prep the teeth. This part is where we drill the front surface of the tooth very, very minimally to allow for effective bonding. Veneers look extremely natural, and are apt to accentuate the face. On average, veneers last about 15-20 years,” he adds.
Tooth contouring
If you’re unhappy with the shape or size of your teeth, you can consider cosmetic contouring. “In simple words, it is the reshaping of the teeth that could be caused by unevenness or chips. My treatment includes using a drill or laser to remove the surface enamel, and it can be limited to just one tooth. It’s quick, painless and usually requires no recovery period, but as with every dental procedure, it’s not for everyone as it may affect your bite,” reveals Dr Kakde.
Laser gum contouring
If a gummy smile is stopping you from saying cheese, laser gum contouring is for you. “As you may have guessed from the name, gum contouring can help reshape, lift or resculpt your gumline, using lasers. The idea is to cut excess gum tissue for a harmonious smile. In case of gum recession, the treatment involves restoring gum tissue. We also use it to excise the band of tissue that can cause a gap between teeth. While it sounds invasive, there’s minimal or no bleeding during the treatment, which minimises the need for stitches,” shares Dr Kakde.
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