A stunning smile is priceless. People with attractive teeth are viewed as younger, confident, and successful; however, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, how do you know if your smile is appealing? Believe it or not, it involves more than the color and alignment of your teeth. Here are 6 traits considered by a cosmetic dentist when creating picture-perfect smiles.
1. Tooth Color
Teeth come in many shades and tones naturally. Not to mention, they also change color over time from age, lifestyle habits, diet, and oral hygiene. Brown or yellow teeth can add years to your appearance and people can view your smile as unhealthy.
Professional teeth whitening can improve surface and age-related discoloration by up to 8 shades to reveal a youthful, vibrant smile.
2. Gum Display
Small teeth are a trademark sign of a gummy smile, but it has more to do with the amount of gums displayed than the size of the tooth. Too much gum tissue can make teeth appear short or stubby.
Gum recontouring is a minimally invasive procedure used to reveal more of the teeth’s surfaces. It removes excess tissue while ensuring the gum line makes teeth look proportionate.
3. Spacing
Perfectly aligned teeth should touch just slightly. Gaps, overcrowded, or rotated teeth aren’t just unattractive. They are more difficult to keep clean, which can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misaligned teeth can also affect your bite and oral functions.
Orthodontics can fix bite and alignment issues. As an alternative to metal braces, many adults prefer Invisalign. Clear aligners are worn over the teeth for a discreet solution.
4. Dental Midline
An attractive smile should have symmetry. Ideally, your smile should have the same midline as your face. The smile midline is between your two central incisors. If your front teeth aren’t aligned with it, it can throw off the appearance of your smile.
You have many options to fix your dental midline, like braces or porcelain veneers.
5. Cant
Cant is essentially the tilt of your teeth. They should be positioned straight up and down. However, it’s not unusual for teeth to have a slight tilt forward or backward. Not only can this affect aesthetics, but also your bite and oral health. Braces are a great option to move your teeth into their best positions.
6. Gum Color
Healthy gums are pink. Red or inflamed gums are a telltale sign of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and affect your general health. Gum disease therapy will stop the infection and improve the color of your gums.
You can turn the smile of your dreams into reality with cosmetic dentistry. You’ll never have to think twice before showing your pearly whites.
About Dr. Anita Naik Madhav
Dr. Madhav earned her dental degree at the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry and has completed advanced training in general dentistry. She regularly continues her education in many specialties, like cosmetic dentistry. Request an appointment through our website or call (972) 905-4369.
