26 March 2018
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are more affordable and more commonplace than ever before, which is good news for anyone looking to improve the appearance of their teeth; no matter your budget, there is probably a procedure that will work for you! However, you might be hesitant about talking to your dentist about such procedures, simply because you have some simple, unanswered questions about this work and its results. Note a few of those questions here, so you know what to discuss with your dentist when it comes to the appearance of your teeth and smile.

How long they last

There is no cosmetic procedure that is guaranteed to be permanent. Getting braces will move your teeth into a certain position and make them properly aligned, but your jaw may change shape as you age. In turn, your teeth may move out of position over time, so they might eventually look a bit crooked or misaligned.

Also, caps may crack or break and need replacing, and bonding or veneers may also crack, discolour or even fall off your teeth, so they might also need eventual replacing. Each of these procedures will have a certain expected lifespan, and some are more durable than others, but don't assume that any procedure will be absolutely permanent; ask your dentist which choice would last the longest, depending on your needs in particular.

What about simple changes?

You might wonder if you can get a cosmetic procedure done if you only need a simple change or two; for example, one front tooth may slightly jut out from the teeth next to it, or your bottom teeth may be slightly crooked, while the top teeth look fine. Don't assume that a cosmetic procedure is done only to make major changes to your teeth, as a cosmetic dentist can straighten, whiten or otherwise improve only a few teeth, or even just one tooth, for a better overall smile.

Is someone ever not a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?

It's good to wait until a teenager has all their adult teeth and their jawbone is fully grown before they have cosmetic procedures done, as their mouth and teeth may continue to change shape until their bones are fully formed. Someone with severe bone loss in the jaw, whether due to age or illness, may not be a good candidate for some procedures, such as a dental implant. However, for the vast majority of people, there will be a cosmetic procedure that will work to straighten teeth, reshape them, or otherwise improve the look of their smile.