Your smile, often considered one of your most striking features, can significantly influence your overall self-esteem. This sentiment is echoed in countless love songs and romantic novels, filled with praises about the allure and power of a lover’s smile. Statistical data supports this, revealing that over 90% of adults who are satisfied with their smiles boast high self-esteem. Maintaining this captivating smile, however, requires a diligent commitment to oral health, regardless of whether you’re situated in a bustling city or a picturesque town like Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Oral health, though, has emerged as a growing concern nationwide, transcending boundaries from the grandeur of large metropolises to the tranquillity of towns such as Glastonbury. Regular dental check-ups have been largely neglected, a situation that has been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fear of virus exposure led many to forgo these crucial dental appointments, giving rise to an upswing in dental issues such as tooth decay, facial pain, and missing teeth.
The silver lining in Glastonbury is its robust dental care community. The town is home to a network of dedicated dental professionals equipped with the expertise to alleviate these rising oral health concerns. Residents have access to some of the best orthodontic services in Glastonbury, CT, which can be instrumental in reclaiming and maintaining their radiant smiles.
Now that we’ve established the importance of oral health and the resources available let’s explore the best dental procedures available, acting as the pillars of a brilliant smile.
1. Teeth Whitening
The first procedure on our list is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a simple procedure that involves cleaning your teeth to remove stains and discoloration and transform them into gorgeous, pearly whites you can flash confidently. Teeth whitening is a quick and painless procedure that takes a short while to complete, and unless you have severely yellow teeth, one session is enough to bring out the shiny white color. Teeth whitening procedures generally last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. However, by taking care of your teeth at home with regular brushing and mouthwash, you can stretch the effects of your teeth whitening sessions even longer.
2. Teeth Scaling
Teeth cleaning is a teeth whitening procedure, but for deep teeth cleaning, you should consider scaling. Scaling is a procedure that removes all the built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Not only does this improve the appearance of your teeth, but it also helps prevent gum disease. Scaling is generally accompanied by root planing, where the teeth are adjusted to fit the space left behind by removing the plaque. The entire process usually takes up to a couple of hours. However, you may experience increased sensitivity for the first few days after the procedure.
3. Dental Bonding
Do you have gaps in your teeth, or are any of your teeth discolored or chipped? Consider booking an appointment for dental bonding. Dental bonding is a procedure whereby materials such as resin are used to fill in the gaps or cover broken teeth. After the putty is placed atop the teeth, a light is shone to solidify the material to complete the bonding procedure. The process is quick, taking as little as half an hour per tooth. Dental bonding is also quite popular because it is significantly less expensive than other dental procedures, such as veneers. That means you can get a smile that is just as beautiful at only a fraction of the cost.
4. Dental Veneers
We saw dental bonding as a cheap alternative for repairing teeth and fixing gaps in your teeth. However, if you don’t mind spending more on quality, consider getting dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin to cover your entire tooth. They are purely for aesthetic purposes and are much more long-lasting than dental bonding. Since veneers are custom-made to match the shape and size of your tooth, the process spans a couple of days. Not to mention, it is quite expensive and irreversible. Moreover, many people who get veneers report developing sensitivity as a side effect of the enamel removal. Therefore, think about all these things before making a decision.
5. Dental Crowns
Crowns, again, are similar to dental veneers. However, they are stronger and serve both a utility and aesthetic purpose. A crown can be best described as a cap for your tooth that sits atop it as a crown does over a head. The most common use of a crown is to cover broken teeth. Dental crowns are designed to last for years; if you maintain good oral hygiene, you may not even need to replace them. However, crowns are a considerable investment, and like veneers, they cause permanent changes to your tooth structure. P. S. Some people even get gold or silver-dipped crowns! If that’s the vibe you want in your smile, go for it!
6. Braces or Aligners
You must have had a friend or classmate who suddenly showed up to class one day with braces and got called some ridiculous nickname all year. As a result, when your parents offered to get you braces, you probably refused faster than you could breathe. After all, you couldn’t risk becoming the school laughing stock. Fortunately, braces are available for children, and adults can easily get them as well. Moreover, with new technological advancements, you no longer have to settle for metal wire braces and instead can choose invisible aligners that have the same effect on changing the shape and alignment of your teeth.
Conclusion
Healthy and beautiful teeth are crucial for a great smile. These procedures can help improve the health of your teeth and gums, boost your self-esteem, and give you the perfect teeth you need to confidently and stylishly flaunt your gorgeous smile.
