Ask any friend why they don’t smile much and they could well give an evasive answer. A little probing, however, and for many people, the underlying reason is that they are ashamed of the state of their teeth.
Frankly, we’ve all been amazed watching TV presenters, young and old, talk about the whiteness of their teeth and the perfect alignment. They weren’t necessarily chosen for that fact but they, like millions of others, may well have sought out cosmetic dentistry, a huge industry in Australia.
What can a professional and qualified cosmetic dentist accomplish?
A qualified practitioner, such as a cosmetic dentist in East Melbourne that we found, can restore your smile and confidence with the following:
- Teeth whitening. Also known as teeth bleaching, this procedure lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discolouration. It can be performed in-office using strong bleaching agents or supplemented at home
- Dental veneers. Thin shells, usually made of porcelain or composite resin, are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. Veneers can improve the colour, shape, size, or length of teeth by correcting problems like chipped teeth, gaps, or uneven surfaces.
- Dental bonding. A tooth-coloured resin material is applied to teeth and hardened with a special light, bonding it to the tooth. It’s used to repair chipped or cracked teeth.
- Orthodontics. While traditionally focused on aligning teeth for functional reasons, orthodontics like braces or clear aligners (for example, invisalign) are increasingly used for cosmetic purposes.
- Dental implants. These are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Implants provide a stable foundation for crowns or bridges, restoring both function and aesthetics.
- Dental crowns. Also known as caps, crowns cover damaged or decayed teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. Materials utilised include porcelain, ceramic, or metal.
- Gum contouring. This procedure involves reshaping or recontouring the gum tissue to create a more proportionate and symmetrical appearance of the gums and teeth.
- Full smile makeovers. Comprehensive treatment plans that combine multiple cosmetic procedures to achieve a complete transformation of the smile. These may include a combination of veneers, crowns, bonding, whitening, and orthodontics tailored to the patient’s needs and goals.
Regulations in Australia that safeguard your health and ensure your practitioner is responsible
Under the National Law, the Dental Board of Australia is responsible for regulating cosmetic dentistry in Australia. Dentists must adhere to strict guidelines and standards to ensure patient safety and quality of care. Dental professionals who are qualified must carry out procedures like veneers, dental implants, and teeth whitening. The regulation also ensures that practitioners maintain ongoing professional development and comply with infection control and sterilisation protocols. Patients have the right to transparent information about procedures, risks, and costs, with advertising guidelines in place to prevent misleading claims. Regulatory oversight aims to uphold high standards in cosmetic dental practices across the country.
Restore confidence. Seek a cosmetic dentist today and look back and smile.
