Giving someone a brand new smile is one of the pleasures of dentistry, as a smile makeover can not only change the function of someone’s bite, but completely overhaul his entire self-image. Dr. Mark Gustavson, a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin, talks here about how dental makeovers can give patients a whole new outlook on life.
In a time when more and more people put an emphasis on appearance and beauty, something as simple as changing the size and shape of someone’s teeth or the position of his gum tissue can dramatically effect his emotional or psychological well-being.
I personally have treated patients well into their 50s and 60s who have spent their whole lives avoiding smiling, simply because of how their teeth look. After a cosmetic makeover, it has improved both their outlook on life as well as their appearance greatly. It’s a great thing to be able to smile without fear or worry that you are being judged.
The techniques of providing cosmetic work have changed over the years. Having cosmetic work carried out on your teeth has also become much more accepted, and therefore it allows older patients to do orthodontia or crowns or veneers without people judging them. These days, braces are no longer just for kids.
Emotional Scenes
I have seen quite emotional scenes in the dental chair, where patients have cried because they were so happy at finally having a smile which they did not have to worry about. It is a wonderful thing to see, and shows how far dentistry has come.
Cosmetic procedures can range from simple bleaching of your teeth, to contouring of your teeth, all the way to having crowns, veneers and braces. What you decide on depends on your teeth, your expectations of the final outcome, your budget and your individual tastes.
Be Upfront
To determine which of these procedures, or combination of these procedures, are necessary, it is important for a patient to express his concerns or desires upfront. The more information a patient has about what he wants the final outcome to look like, the better the dentist will be able to achieve those results. Cosmetic dentistry can really change the way a person feels about himself, so visit your dentist today to see how your own self-esteem can soar!
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
