A great smile can make you feel good about yourself and can leave a lasting impression on others. However, for some, noticeable asymmetry in your smile may cause you to be self-conscious and even make you avoid smiling fully.
Ever wondered if there’s a way to address your uneven smile? Good news! There are several cosmetic dental treatments available to improve an asymmetrical smile. And some may even surprise you.
What is an Asymmetrical Smile?
You may call it uneven, unbalanced, or even crooked. An asymmetrical smile happens when the two sides of your mouth do not appear to mirror each other or when teeth are not straight or aligned. This issue can occur due to several reasons, such as:
- Tooth Alignment Issues: Crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth may make one side of your mouth look different from the other.
- Missing Teeth: Gaps or missing teeth can shift the balance of your smile.
- Tooth Wear or Damage: Chips, cracks, or uneven wear can alter the appearance of your smile.
Dental Treatments for an Asymmetrical Smile
Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective treatment options tailored to your unique needs.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a minimally invasive option that uses a special composite resin to correct various smile asymmetries. This composite is simply painted onto the tooth and cured to quickly and easily alter the shape of a tooth, hide a chip or crack, and even camouflage gaps or address uneven tooth lengths.
The resin used in dental bonding is color-matched exactly to your teeth, making it a subtle and effective way to improve your smile. Bonding can be an excellent choice for minor cosmetic issues or if you want to avoid costly, complex procedures.
Crowns and Dental Implants
If you have missing or severely damaged teeth, crowns, and dental implants can help restore balance in your smile.
Crowns are caps placed over damaged or irregularly shaped teeth to restore their size, shape, and strength. They are custom-created to match the appearance of your natural teeth.
Dental implants are a highly preferred way to replace missing teeth using a titanium post inserted into the jawbone beneath your gums, which serves as an anchor for a lifelike crown. Not only do dental implants improve the appearance of your smile, but they also prevent bone loss in the jaw.
Invisalign
When teeth alignment contributes to asymmetry, Invisalign may be your best option. Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-created aligners to gently shift your teeth into a better-aligned position.
Clear aligners are virtually invisible and are easily removable for eating, drinking, and brushing, making them a great choice for many patients looking to dramatically improve alignment issues.
Lumineers
Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers that can improve the appearance of your teeth while correcting minor irregularities. They may be an ideal option if your asymmetry results from gaps, chips, or uneven tooth length.
Lumineers typically require minimal to no preparation, preserving your natural tooth structure, and the entire process typically takes just two office visits. Lumineers are designed to look (and feel) just like natural teeth, providing a complete smile makeover with long-lasting results.
We can work with you to determine whether crowns, implants, or a bridge to replace multiple teeth would best suit your needs.
Finding the Right Solution for You
When considering treatments for an asymmetrical smile, it’s important to consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist to determine the best course of action. Each treatment carries specific benefits suited to different dental issues, and we will evaluate the contributing factors to determine the treatment option that best suits your needs.
Are you interested in finding out more about cosmetic dental treatments available to improve your smile? Contact our cosmetic dentistry experts today!