A wedding day is undoubtedly a day of smiles. In any wedding, it is almost certain that you would find friends, family and of course the wedding photographer urging a smile out of the bride and groom.
The expectation is, of course, a radiant and confident smile from the happy couple. If you find that a happy smile is difficult to put on due to imperfections in your teeth then perhaps it’s time for a smile makeover.
This is an often forgotten to-do ahead of a wedding for many couples but one that should definitely be considered.
Where to Start
To provide a flavour of makeover possibilities, the Dental Clinic at Durdan’s Hospital shared some details of some of the more common requests they receive from brides.
The exact service you are looking for is what is termed as Cosmetic Dentistry and it is encouraging to note that there are many hospitals and clinics in Sri Lanka specialising in this art of improving the aesthetics of a person’s smile.
The Dental Clinic at Durdan’s Hospital is one such establishment and is one of the leading clinics in Sri Lanka which many couples choose for their dental requirements.
The clinic comprises of general dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists and a consultant in restorative dentistry and is therefore well equipped to handle even the most extreme of interventions needed.
Cosmetic Dentists tackle a wide range of issues such as spacing or gaps between teeth, broken, cracked or chipped teeth, stained teeth, discoloured or yellowish teeth, missing teeth, old crowns and metal fillings and cavities.
Cleaning and Polishing
This procedure entails removing stains and plaque build-up from the surface of the teeth in order to reveal the natural white colour of the teeth.
It is a simple hassle free 45 minutes procedure with absolutely no additional implications and is fantastic for the overall health of your teeth and gums.
The benefits of scaling and polishing are preventive as it discourages bacteria build up which can later cause tooth decay, gum diseases and other related problems.
Teeth Whitening
The aim of this procedure is to give the teeth a brilliant white shine and glow. This procedure is more suitable for those with generally well-kept teeth which are plaque and stain free but lacking a brilliant white glow.
Therefore you should probably consider a teeth whitening session after you complete a cleaning and polishing of your teeth. There are two types of procedures used for teeth whitening.
The conventional procedure would require the whitening application to sit for a longer time in order to achieve results while the laser-assisted procedure achieves a better colour, preserves teeth due to the faster reaction and leads to longer lasting results.
Teeth whitening, cleaning and polishing are simple procedures which can be done as close as 2 or 3 weeks ahead of the big day.
Teeth that have become transparent and cannot endure laser whitening can opt for porcelain veneers to whiten teeth.
Front Fillings and Crowns
Many brides and grooms require fillings and crowns to make the front teeth and other visible areas look even and neat where tooth decay, cavities and chipped teeth are visible.
In some instances, tooth coloured fillings are required to create the necessary look. These provide a very natural appearance in its final finish and usually a 45-minute procedure for a general sized filling.
Crowns generally cover the tops of decayed teeth and as to be expected require more in-depth work. For example for the placing of Zirconia crowns which comprise of a zirconia base and a ceramic top you may be required to do a trimming of the teeth first and then the impression making of the tooth and have the crowns fixed 10 days later. Ideally, procedures of this nature should be attempted at least 2 or 3 months ahead of the wedding.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics deal with more serious misalignments and corrections needed in teeth and jaws. Usually, brides plan at least 1 year ahead of the big event to get work of this nature done.
In-depth investigations into your specific case and an understanding of the final outcome you require will be done by the dental team before they commence work.
Broken, fractured and decayed teeth can be strengthened and perfected using dental crowns which would encase the entire tooth, improving the health, function and appearance of teeth, especially those with thin or eroded enamel.
Dentures and bridges are recommended for missing teeth as the chewing pressure that falls on remaining teeth would cause them to drift apart.
It is also important to note that smiles are not only for the bride but also for the groom so a visit to a cosmetic dentistry unit should very much be a couple’s activity.
