Taking pride in your appearance is something that millions of people worldwide care about. No matter your age or where you are based, it is understandable that when we look good, we feel good; prioritising your self-image and appearance is sure to contribute to your self-esteem and confidence. Changing parts of your appearance that you are unhappy with, whether small or more significant, are actions that many people take. Naturally, there are several factors to consider when making a decision like this, which might have you asking a number of questions.
Take your smile, for example. This is something that millions of people are conscious of. After all, it is one of the first things people notice about you, and you want to give as good an impression as possible. For some people, they are concerned about the colour of their teeth, whereas others are concerned about the alignment of their smile. The solutions to these concerns vary and are unique to your own worries.
Should you be in a position where you are concerned about your smile’s appearance, know that you are not alone; you are not the first person to be in this situation and certainly won’t be the last! On that note, read on to discover a few things to consider when wanting to make changes to your smile, both in 2022 and beyond.
1. Explore Treatments And Procedures
It goes without saying, but when wanting to make changes to your appearance, specifically your smile, you need to better understand what types of treatments and procedures are out there. Think about what is making you unhappy with your smile. Being specific in what you wish to change will help you to narrow down the options that are out there.
At the same time, you should be doing your own research when finding the right treatment for you. Think about the costs associated with the treatment and whether you will be able to afford it. While we understand the desire to change your appearance somehow, you want to avoid putting yourself in any financial difficulty to attain it.
What’s more, you should be considering the reputation of the person or clinic who will be completing your procedure. Going to a highly reviewed clinic might cost you more but will provide you with the results you want; you will be in safe hands.
Treatments and procedures for altering your smile for short and long term use include the following:
- Veneers: This is a dental procedure that has become increasingly more common in recent years. With common folk and celebrities alike opting for veneers to brighten their smile, this is undoubtedly a long term means of improving your smile and one that can have a significant impact. We will touch on it more below, but often people will travel abroad for treatments like this; there are specific clinics in places like Turkey that offer bundle packages, with flights, treatment and accommodation included. For more information about procedures like this, check this article.
- Composite Bonding: Composite bonding works similarly to veneers but is a procedure that is used for fewer teeth. While veneers tend to be used for a whole set of teeth, composite bonding is used to alter the appearance of singular teeth, ideal for those who are looking to fill in a gap or crack in their tooth. You needn’t worry about it looking out of place either, for the person completing the procedure will colour match the bonding to the rest of your teeth.
- Braces: A common means of altering your smile, this might not be something you have thought about as an adult, for braces are stereotypically worn throughout your teenage years. While that is the case, there are options for subtle aligners to be worn, which cannot be seen by other people. The length of time that your treatment will take will greatly depend on the alignment of your teeth at the beginning of your treatment.
- Teeth Whitening: Unlike our other suggestions, this is something that can be completed by yourself in the comfort of your home. Clinics offer teeth whitening services but have expanded into offering at-home kits that you can complete yourself. As is to be expected, from eating and drinking, your teeth will experience discolouration; this is a treatment that would need to be topped up every now and again.
After deciding on the treatment or procedure that you would like to pursue, there are some important questions you should be considering when exploring treatment options, which take us to the following section.
2. Ask Important Questions
When choosing a procedure or treatment to tackle the issue you have with your smile, you should be asking questions throughout the overall process. From selecting the right clinic, right to the moment when you have your procedure fulfilled, you should be asking plenty of questions. While that is the case, we understand it could be confusing when knowing the right sorts of questions to be asking, but that is where we are here to help!
Firstly, you should consider whether there are any recovery times associated with the procedures or treatments you are opting for. Factor this recovery time into your plans, and ensure that you give yourself enough time to adjust; the last thing you want is to be experiencing any pain. On the other hand, you should check the certification of the person who is completing your procedure. You want to ensure they have the right qualifications and training to complete the task. After all, your smile is changing, and you want it to be perfect.
What’s more, think about whether you will need to travel to receive your procedure or treatment. Traveling to a different city or country is sure to increase the costs of your procedure, but you will also need to factor in whether you must stay near your clinic in the initial few days post-procedure. If you’re looking to get any of the dental treatments listed above, you should get them done at Smiles of West Point.
3. Think About Upkeep and Maintenance
Following any sort of cosmetic procedure, whether small or large, there will be some level of maintenance in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Knowing how you should properly care for your teeth following a procedure is paramount and will ensure that your efforts are not going to waste. The last thing you want is to go through with a procedure, only for your smile to take a step back in a few months’ time.
Linking closely with our previous section, you should ask questions of the professional who is completing your procedure. Determine what is recommended for the upkeep of your picture-perfect smile following your procedure and whether you should buy any specific products to contribute to this upkeep.
Furthermore, nothing stops you from asking people who have also had this procedure what they did to maintain the appearance of their teeth. There are various groups and forums on social media platforms dedicated to this thing. It might be worth looking through this type of thing before having your treatment completed; you might not feel up to researching this type of thing after your procedure, so start early!