The Tribune

By DR SPARKMAN FERGSUON

Have you ever seen someone who looked like they could use a makeover? What was it, was it their hair, was it the face?

So they got their hair done and their face fixed, yet it still appears that something is missing. Answer: The teeth are the problem.

The three main anti-cosmetic mouth drawbacks are missing teeth, discoloured teeth and crooked teeth. Added to these are short teeth that should be longer, long teeth that should be shortened, and teeth that have the wrong shapes. Whatever the situation, great smiles cannot emanate from these teeth discrepancies.

Everyone knows someone who has a terrific and radiant smile. Because I’m a dentist, I know many such individuals, and they all have one thing in common – they absolutely love their teeth and their smiles.

Years of practice experience has taught me that people have varied values, and varied consciousness where cosmetic dentistry is concerned. I have also learned that cosmetic consciousness is directly proportional to what the person values. For example, I have known persons who could probably afford to do any cosmetic enhancement but have had no concern for their mediocre cosmetic appearance. Conversely, I have seen low income persons who refuse to walk out of the dental office with a missing front tooth that was going to be missing for only an hour. I have also seen celebrities, politicians and important persons on TV and in magazines sporting missing teeth that can make any dentist cringe. In short, mouth cosmetics are a personal thing. Some people have not ever considered it.

The following are some treatments for dental cosmetic issues:

• Dental treatment to replace missing teeth that are in your smile/laugh zone

• Dental treatment to have discoloured teeth professionally whitened

• Dental treatment to have discoloured teeth professionally capped (covered with porcelain crowns or veneers)

• Orthodontic treatment (braces) to straighten crooked teeth

• Professional teeth crowning (veneers or full porcelain caps) to straighten minor shape, or teeth position discrepancies

• Professional teeth crowning to lengthen short teeth, or to shorten long teeth

Conclusions

So why cosmetic dentistry? Whatever your personal view, it is still generally accepted that a beautiful set of teeth is a great asset in life. Some persons have lost their great smiles through mouth injury, or periodontal disease or dental caries.

Whatever has caused your smile to disappear, be certain that all can be well once again if you place your mouth in the hands of a good dental professional.

A beautiful and radiant smile has always had the power to foster good business relationships, bring joy to the depressed, and helps to put the anxious at ease.

Is your smile magical?