A great dental smile is the simplest way to disarm others and introduce ourselves as a friendly and warm person. There are many ways to achieve a great smile with the help of professional procedures.

Procedures like dental braces, crowns, teeth cleaning treatments, etc. help the patient achieve the best version of their smile and also elevate their self-confidence.

Although inner happiness is most helpful in achieving a bright smile, some dental techniques can also help. Let us try to understand some of them.

Dental braces

Traditional braces are the most common procedure opted by patients to achieve a bright, even smile. Braces help the chipped and crooked teeth to align completely into a straight line. In modern dentistry, there are many types of braces available. The basic types are metallic braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces, etc.

Let us start with the most basic type of dental braces available and opted by patients: traditional metallic braces. Such braces stick to the surface of the teeth and the metal posts in it are joined together by an elastic wire. Now this elastic wire, along with metal posts can be customized according to the patient’s colour of choice since most of the patients opting for metallic braces are from a young age group. However, metallic braces require much more care and attention than ceramic braces.

Ceramic braces are made of a clear, flexible material, known as resin. These braces are a good choice for people who are self-conscious about their appearance. These braces allow the patient to be more comfortable as they don’t have metallic braces present in them like, unlike metallic braces. The braces are affordable as well. Self-ligating braces are very similar to metallic braces, the only difference is that instead of elastic wires, small clips known as “doors” hold the wire in place. These braces are affordable and can be installed quickly in a single appointment. Lingual braces are the braces which are present behind the teeth and provide pressure on them for alignment. These braces have a great advantage over other braces as they provide complete invisibility and are a very good option for patients who feel uncomfortable displaying their braces. However, there is a major drawback to such braces. These braces can be quite uncomfortable and may affect speech significantly.

Teeth whitening procedure

In-office teeth whitening procedure is a great way to achieve a beautiful smile. It begins with a dental inspection, and the dentist checks the teeth for any signs of underlying problems. Next, a whitening solution is applied to the surface of the teeth. This whitening solution contains various bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of the bleaching agent depends on the intensity of stains on the teeth. If the teeth are severely stained, the bleaching agent will be present in high concentrations. The next step involves the application of laser light over the solution for a few minutes so the bleaching agent can be activated. The teeth are then closely observed. This bleaching agent causes the teeth to become lighter in shade. Once the desired shade is achieved, the laser is removed and the teeth are rinsed. It is important to remove the laser at the right time, as the teeth can become too bright and may not match the patient’s complexion.

Invisalign aligners

Invisalign are transparent and removable dental braces that help align the teeth. They are recommended for patients who do not want braces to affect their appearance and want something flexible. Such braces are suitable for patients who have mildly crooked teeth. Unfortunately, these braces cannot fix severely crooked teeth. If the patient has highly crooked teeth but still wants to opt for Invisalign, the dentist may suggest pairing up Invisalign aligners along with lingual braces.

Dental veneers

Veneers are cap-like covers for the front of the teeth which are derived out of porcelain. They are used for aligning teeth into a straight line. They are prepared with the help of moulds which are created by taking impressions of the teeth. These veneers can also be used to correct the colour of the teeth by filling veneers with a whitening solution. The veneers are then bonded to the surface of the teeth permanently. Dental veneers just like dental braces are available in various types: porcelain veneers and resin veneers. The major difference between these veneers is that porcelain veneers are good at resisting stains than resin veneers. The dentist will examine the teeth and will tell the patient the best kind of veneers suitable for them. Veneers can be applied to achieve a bright smile if the patient properly cares for them.

The procedure begins with a dental examination, an X-ray may also be taken. The operation area may also be numbed and local anaesthesia may be used. A mould will be created by taking impressions of the teeth. This mould will help in the preparation of a dental veneer, which takes around 2 weeks for complete formation in the laboratory. When the veneers are bonded to the teeth, their colour can be adjusted according to the colour of the adhesive cement. These veneers can help the patient feel good about themselves by restoring confidence in their appearance.

Dental implants

Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They act as the tooth root and help create the base of the artificial tooth. They are of metallic origin and are completely installed in the mouth within a span of a few months. However, the installation process may take a while but the results are equally beneficial as these dental implants can last up to a lifetime if the patient properly takes care of them.

The procedure involves the fitting of metallic screws in the bone tissue after numbing the area. Then, a connector derived out of titanium or zirconium is attached to this screw. This connector is known as an abutment. A crown is fitted over this abutment and the procedure is completed.

These are some of the most common procedures that are involved in designing a great smile.