Smile Makeover for 2025

A smile makeover for 2025

Cosmetic dentistry enhances your smile and has a positive effect on self-esteem.[i] There’s a massive range of cosmetic dental treatments to choose from, including tooth whitening and dental implants. With an overview of the different dental procedures available, you can find a treatment to boost your confidence and brighten your 2025.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening remains a popular procedure. Very reliable, the treatment gives you a brighter grin by removing any stains.

Whilst over-the-counter whitening kits and toothpastes are available, these aren’t as effective as professional treatment. Dentists are able to use higher concentrations of active ingredients, and they are trained to avoid complications.[ii] As such, professional whitening is more predictable and much safer, with visible results occurring faster. This may be the cheapest and least invasive of any Smile Makeover.

Veneers and composite bonding

An imperfection in a tooth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. In social situations you may find yourself deliberately hiding the tooth. From limiting your smile to speaking less, not enjoying the moment can impact your happiness. But what is the best way to treat a chipped tooth? Or conceal some staining? There are two popular options you may consider: composite bonding and dental veneers.

Composite bonding is a simple cosmetic dental procedure. It involves a composite resin that is placed on the chipped or stained tooth and then hardened by ultraviolet light. Composite bonding can correct an imperfection, with simpler procedures done in under an hour.[iii] The natural-looking results blend the previously imperfect tooth back into a harmonious smile. This treatment may need repairing every 3-5 years, but costs less than veneers.

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain (usually) that are cemented to a tooth’s surfaces. They seamlessly fit within the smile for an aesthetically pleasing look. This ensures the tooth looks great and feels great, whilst also functioning like a natural tooth. Veneers require more tooth preparation beforehand but they last longer than composite bonding.

Dental implant

Where possible, dentists will encourage you to keep a natural tooth because its natural qualities are superior to the prosthetic alternatives.[iv] However, an already missing tooth impacts day-to-day life. From struggling to eat to a concern about appearance, a missing tooth can have enormous social and psychological impacts.[v]

A dental implant is an effective replacement for a missing tooth. Excellent success rates are reported (97%) due to their reliability and predictability.[vi] Advances in areas like 3D printing have enhanced implant treatments, ensuring that they replicate the tooth and fill the space perfectly. Implants have a natural look and feel, restoring the cosmetic appearance of the face.

Smiling for change

Deciding when to make a change can be a big decision. An enhanced smile can increase quality of life, boosting your confidence. Smiles are infectious – the wider it is, the more it will spread to others. Let 2025 be the last year you feel unhappy with your smile, and find a cosmetic dental treatment to begin your Smile Makeover.

[i] Davis, L.G., Ashworth, P.D. and Spriggs, L.S. (1998). Psychological effects of aesthetic dental treatment. Journal of Dentistry, 26(7), pp.547–554. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0300-5712(97)00031-6.

[ii] Healthline. (2022). Teeth Whitening: How It Works, Types, and Side Effects. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-does-teeth-whitening-work#side-effects.

[iii] Higuera, V. (2019). Teeth Bonding: What You Need to Know. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/teeth-bonding#why-do-it [Accessed 1 Nov. 2024].

[iv] Sartoretto, S.C., Shibli, J.A., Javid, K., Cotrim, K., Canabarro, A., Louro, R.S., Lowenstein, A., Mourão, C.F. and Moraschini, V. (2023). Comparing the Long-Term Success Rates of Tooth Preservation and Dental Implants: A Critical Review. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, [online] 14(3), p.142. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14030142.

[v] OO Dosumu, JT Ogunrinde and SA Bamigboye (2014). KNOWLEDGE OF CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING TEETH IN PATIENTS ATTENDING PROSTHETIC CLINIC IN U.C.H. IBADAN. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, [online] 12(1), p.42. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4201933/ [Accessed 1 Nov. 2024].

[vi] Healthline. (2022). Benefits of Dental Implants, Drawbacks, and Candidates. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/benefits-of-dental-implants#benefits.