We all have that friend who has that Hollywood smile – Perfectly straight teeth, pearly white and exuding confidence. They seem happier and healthier. These ideas have been proven in multiple studies, which show that individuals who smile more:
- Live longer
- Have decreased cortisol = The stress hormone
- Improved mood = Release of ‘happy’ hormones including serotonin and dopamine
- Promotes the immune system
- Decreased blood pressure
- Acts as a natural painkiller for pain
- Assists in maintaining mental health
But, what if you’re not happy with your smile, and you don’t feel confident showing your teeth off? That’s where we come in – Our very own Dr Aodhan Docherty has a passion for cosmetic dentistry and you can see the evidence in the before and after photos of his work! While each individual and their dental needs are unique, people also differ in the aesthetics they would like to achieve. Check out his page here https://www.aboutsmiles.com.au/team/dr-aodhan-docherty
There’s a couple of type of treatment you’ve probably heard about. The most basic cosmetic treatment you can begin with is whitening. At out practice, we use Opalescence whitening gels in a range of strengths including 10%, 20% and 35%. The differences in strength will depend how quickly your teeth whitening, and also the longevity of the whitening. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make sense – Dr Docherty or any one of our general dentists will explain the in’s and out’s.
So we’ve covered whiter teeth, what else could you do? There’s also Invisalign, opposed to traditional braces which are used to straighten teeth and correct your bite through a set of plastic sequential aligners by gradually moving teeth, it a less obvious way than traditional braces, making it more popular in older patients.
Finally, you might complete your smile enhancement journey with veneers. As Dr Aodhan Docherty explained, there are two types of veneers – porcelain and composite. So, what’s the difference? Porcelain is a more durable material which is like a hard glass whereas composite is a malleable plastic. While there are a number of options available, it is important to discuss with the dentist what you’d like to achieve, as not all options may be suitable for you. Check out https://www.aboutsmiles.com.au/dental-treatments/cosmetic-treatments for more information!
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