I really hate my front teeth. Frankly, they make me look like Bugs Bunny because they are big, long and they stick out a bit. I’d like to make them look normal, but I’m not sure what to do. Everything I have read about cosmetic dentistry procedures would add something to them – and I’m quite sure that would just make them look even bigger. What about dental implants? Or is there something else that can be done? I’d love to be able to confidently smile in pictures… help! — Mara
Mara,
You mention dental implants and that requires pulling the teeth, so we definitely recommend NOT going that route! What you need to do first is find a good cosmetic dentist in your area and have him/her take a look at your situation and make recommendations on what to do. There’s several different scenarios that could achieve the results you are looking for. It’s possible that your teeth could be trimmed down on the sides and the biting edges with diamond burs and diamond strips. This will make them look narrower and smaller, but you may still need a spring retainer to move them back into alignment with the rest of your teeth. Invisalign invisible braces could possibly be used to position them as well. And if there ends up being exposed dentin because a lot of trimming needs to be done, porcelain veneers might be the way to go.
In any case, a skilled cosmetic dentist is in order. This is not a not a job for your family dentist – unless you want to risk potential problems that could be very expensive to fix down the road.
This blog post is brought to you by Des Moines cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phelan Thomas. For more information on the services he provides, please visit his Des Moines cosmetic dentist website.