Is cosmetic dentistry for everyone?

First, what is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry involves a range of elective procedures that can improve the look and aesthetics of your teeth. These procedures will improve the colour, shape, alignment and overall appearance of your teeth, giving you beautiful and natural-looking teeth. From subtle changes to major repairs, there’s a cosmetic treatment that can modify and enhance your smile. Cosmetic dentistry includes procedures such as:

• Dental veneers
• Dental crowns
• Dental bridges
• Teeth whitening
• Gum lifts

 

Who would benefit from cosmetic dentistry?

Almost anyone at all can benefit from the improved appearance and confidence brought about by cosmetic dental treatments. Cosmetic dentistry can help anyone with the following problems:

• Broken, chipped or cracked teeth
• Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Discoloured or stained teeth
• Worn or excessively short teeth
• Uneven or irregularly shaped teeth
• Gaps between your teeth

  These problems, let’s face it, are unfortunately very common. Very few of us are born with perfectly straight, white teeth – and even if we are, the ravages of time and consuming food and drink can eventually diminish our beautiful smile. Most of us, if we’re honest, could use a cosmetic touch-up to our smile, and would benefit from at least a small amount of cosmetic treatment.  

Is cosmetic dentistry for “ordinary” people?

In the past, having cosmetic dentistry treatments was considered the exclusive province of the rich and famous. The cost of such treatments was prohibitive for most “ordinary” people, and cosmetic dentistry was probably not considered necessary for people who didn’t work in front of a camera.   Nowadays, this has all changed, and cosmetic dentistry is quite commonly requested by the everyday person. This is mainly due to the fact that modern advancements in cosmetic dental technology and material sciences have made the treatments much more affordable than they were in the past. While cosmetic dental procedures sound like they’ll be expensive, these days they may be a lot more affordable than you might think.   Another thing to remember is that many dentists offer finance or payment plans that can help all patients spread the costs and access treatment. You can choose to have as much or as little treatment as you want, and can tailor your treatment options to fit your budget. There is usually a cosmetic dental solution for just about any budget, so talk to your local dentist today to see what options you have. And when you look upon cosmetic dental treatment as a long-term investment in yourself, your confidence and your future, it’s easy to see that the cost will be worth the rewards.  

Is cosmetic dentistry for older people?

Cosmetic dentistry is often thought of as being for younger people. If you have put up with dental problems for most of your life, you may think it’s too late and there’s no point bothering fixing your teeth now. You may feel vain and selfish to be considering such treatment. If you’ve been conditioned to put yourself last (as many parents do), you may feel it’s a waste to spend money on yourself, especially if you have children who constantly drain your income. You might think that you won’t get your money’s worth out of the treatment if you’re approaching old age. You might even think that your body wouldn’t cope with the procedure as well as a younger person would. You may worry about what people might think of you.   None of these are valid reasons that should prevent you from seeking cosmetic dentistry treatment if you feel it’s something you might benefit from. The fact is that no age is too old for cosmetic dentistry – there are people in their seventies and older choosing to access cosmetic treatment! There’s really no reason you can’t have cosmetic treatment at any age – you are never too old to have a smile you’ll be proud to show off. You can’t underestimate the importance of confidence in your quality of life – whatever your age. Think of cosmetic dentistry as an investment in your health and happiness.  

Is cosmetic dentistry for younger people?

While cosmetic dental procedures are certainly very common in teenagers and young people, how young is too young for accessing cosmetic treatments? Most dentists will recommend that children under the age of 15 or 16 wait to receive cosmetic treatments until their jaw has finished growing and they have achieved dental maturity (i.e. a fully mature set of permanent teeth). Cosmetic treatments on immature teeth or jaws can lead to problems and reduced effectiveness of the treatment. So yes, young people are certainly good candidates for cosmetic dentistry, but only once they have reached a certain stage in their development.  

Cosmetic dentistry for everyone

Cosmetic dentistry is not just for celebrities and rich people, or for teenagers. It really is for anyone, once they have reached dental maturity. Cosmetic dental treatments can start from buying a tube of whitening toothpaste to freshen up your smile, and go all the way up to receiving a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. There’s no reason why anyone should have to remain unhappy with their teeth or their smile when there’s such a range of affordable and practical cosmetic treatments available. So yes, cosmetic dentistry really can be for anyone, no matter their lifestyle, financial situation or age (after reaching dental maturity). Almost any aesthetic dental problem can be fixed with a cosmetic treatment that will allow you to confidently show off your new and improved smile to the world.