Determine If You Are a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
As the old saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” However, having an attractive smile is one of the most important aspects of your appearance and personality. A great smile can greatly improve your looks and can certainly give a boost to your self-confidence. It’s a critical component of that all-important first impression, which can increase your chances for personal and career success. For these reasons, more and more people are turning to cosmetic dentistry procedures to improve their smiles.
Anyone who’s unsatisfied or unhappy with his or her smile can be considered for cosmetic dentistry. In most cases, the main source of this dissatisfaction is the existence of aesthetic dental concerns. Discolored or stained teeth brought about by aging, habitual intake of coffee, smoking, and bad oral hygiene can make smiling uncomfortable. The following conditions may also take away the smile from your face: a missing tooth or teeth, chipped or broken teeth, wide spaces between the teeth, and teeth misalignment. A gummy smile, where too much gum tissue is displayed when you smile, and receding gums can also be causes of discontent. If you have these dental imperfections and you’re in good dental health, you are a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry.
Though these procedures are generally safe, there are certain conditions that can prevent you from receiving the treatments. Poor dental health, which is manifested by cavities, infections or periodontal disease, is a contraindication for any cosmetic dentistry procedure. A cosmetic dentist will recommend that these dental problems treated before starting with any of the procedures.
The presence of chronic diseases, bleeding problems and immune deficiency disorders, and an overall poor level of health can also make you a poor candidate. You may have to go through a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures before the desired outcomes are achieved. In some instances, administration of general anesthesia may be necessary. You have to be in good health for faster tissue healing and increased resistance to infections.
One important but commonly overlooked criterion in determining good candidates for any cosmetic dentistry is having the physical ability, emotional stability, and motivation to care for one’s dental health after the procedure. Alcohol and substance abuse may compromise the treatment; thus, individuals who have these problems are usually considered as poor candidates.
For more information on cosmetic dentistry treatments such as porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers, contact our El Paso cosmetic dentistry office.