Whilst many patients visit their dentist due to issues such as tooth cavities and receding gums, many others will do so for reasons that, strictly speaking, are nothing to do with the health of their teeth or gums. What we are talking about are patients who are unhappy with how their teeth look, and specifically how they look when they smile.

The reasons for this are many, but the most common are crooked teeth, missing teeth, teeth which have gaps, and discoloured teeth to name but four. Now there are those that might suggest that wanting a dentist to put right these, or any other issue which might be considered cosmetic, is pure vanity.

However, we draw your attention that being embarrassed by your smile due to issues with your teeth can solicit a range of emotions, and some of them can be extremely debilitating. There are many who end up with issues such as agoraphobia or who have panic attacks when the thought of others seeing their less than perfect teeth arises.

Of course, there are those for whom having their teeth ‘fixed’ is purely because they want to look better, and there is nothing with that. Everyone has the right to do whatever it takes to make themselves look and feel as good as possible, and if that means asking the dentist to put right a few teeth, so be it.

Let us take a look at five of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments that can turn an embarrassing smile, into one you can be proud of.

#1 Dental Implants

Anyone who had lost a tooth, especially those at the front, used to only have the choice of a plate or dentures but with the development of dental implants, there is a more effective solution. Basically, it means a titanium base being fitted permanently to your jaw, and this is what supports the crown which is effectively your new tooth.

#2 Teeth Whitening

Probably the most well-known and the certainly most common due to its simplicity. It can be achieved at home by using gel-based whitening kits supplied by your dentist, or it can be done at the dental practice. If your dentist whitens your teeth they may use gels, but there are also advanced whitening treatments that utilise laser technology.

#3 Enamel Contouring

This is a quick and affordable process also known as enameloplasty that involves your dentist removing small amounts of enamel from your teeth to resculpt and reshape them. The process requires the dentist to use a laser or a drill for the removal stage, and thereafter your teeth are polished. The results are permanent and should mean your teeth  are free of imperfections.

#4 Crowns

We mentioned a crown in the last section, but this is a different type of crown. Instead of being attached to a permanent base. These porcelain crowns are fitted over your existing tooth structures, therefore they are not designed to replace a lost tooth. However, what they can do is give your smile a makeover as your teeth appear restored to their natural shape, function, and colour.

#5 Veneers

Just as we use veneers to improve the look of floors and furniture the same principle applies to our teeth. They are applied to the front of the teeth in thin layers, and in effect give the tooth a new outer layer. This can help to instantly cover teeth that are chipped, broken, or discoloured, and thus return smiles to their original beauty.