A visit to your dentist might be just the thing to reverse the clock and take years off your face
A visit to your dentist might be just the thing to reverse the clock and take years off your face
A beautiful smile doesn’t just project a friendly image, it can make you look more youthful too. But the older you get, the more your face changes, which can affect your smile. If you’re looking to slow down or even reverse the effects of ageing, your dentist may be able to help fix problems like an uneven gum line or discoloured teeth.
Here are eight common dental problems that can be easily resolved in the chair: Problem: Age-Related Discolouration, Gaps or Overcrowding.
Solution: Veneers As you get older your tooth enamel may become thinner, leaving the yellowish dentine (the living tissue inside each tooth) more visible and resistant to whitening treatments.
“Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-coloured plastic resin or porcelain designed to cover the front side of teeth to improve overall appearance,” says Dr Valerie Tey from the National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS).
For some people, their dental arch (the natural curve of your teeth) is narrow, leaving their side teeth less visible when they smile.
Veneers can thus be used to create a wider smile. Porcelain veneers can last up to 25 years, provided you maintain regular dental care.
You can also get veneers made from composite material that may be more affordable but won’t be as sturdy.
Cost: From $650 per tooth.
Problem: Tooth Loss, Gappy Smile.
Solution: Impla nts or Dentures.
Over the years your teeth sustain a lot of wear and tear. Replacing broken teeth not only brightens your smile and improves your ability to chew, it can also help fill out your cheeks so they appear more youthful.
Implants are now the gold standard for tooth replacement for both cosmetic and mechanical reasons. Dental implants involve surgically embedding a titanium screw into the jawbone to support one or more porcelain crowns. They’re a more permanent alternative to dentures.
Dentures are still a good option if you have many missing teeth and new technology means they can be custom-made. “Bone volume and quality, tooth and jaw relationship and general health assessments are needed before recommendations can be made,” says Dr Tey.
