Who is an Ideal Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?
The ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry is anyone who is unhappy with his or her smile, has a real or imagined problem with their mouth and teeth and wants to correct his or her overall appearance in general. A nice smile makes everyone feel good. Nearly any problem can be fixed nowadays including crooked, chipped, cracked, broken, discolored, worn down, or even missing teeth.
Smile makeovers are the most popular form of corrective dental treatments today, because everyone wants that gleaming white and perfect smile of their favorite movie star in Hollywood. While the ideal candidate can be anyone who wants to improve their looks, it may also depend on what type of procedure they select to undergo. Not all procedures will work for just anyone.
In general, the ideal candidate should be in a state of good health and mental wellness. They should not be suffering from mouth disease of any kind including gingivitis, gum disease, or extensive tooth decay, meaning worn down or missing teeth. Otherwise, the cosmetic dentist will have to make a referral to have the oral disease repaired first, before the cosmetic treatment can be done. The ideal candidate is a non-smoker, since smoking dramatically increases the risk of infection and also lengthens healing time.
People who suffer from naturally crooked teeth or gaps between their teeth are excellent candidates for braces and Invisalign® procedures. And since the length of treatment time varies depending on the patient, the patient should have a good attitude and be more than willing to follow the dentist's instructions for proper care between office visits and between treatments, for the course of the treatments.
Individuals who simply want to whiten their teeth will need to have realistic expectations about the final shade of their teeth. This is because everyone has different color teeth, and what is natural to some, is not natural to others. So to in order to keep it naturally appearing, it is wise to brighten without appearing artificially bright. Those who seek out professional teeth whitening should also be aware that they should not smoke or drink beverages such as coffee, tea, or cola, or they will quickly lose that newly brightened smile.
Dental implants and bridges are treatments for the person who is missing teeth or needs to have teeth removed due to decay and or severe structural damage. The ideal candidate will be made aware and will understand the risks associated with these procedures, including infection and reaction to anesthesia. People seeking dental veneers or porcelain crowns also face some risk of infection or breakage. The ideal candidate will consult their dentist and understand the dangers and possibilities, prior to proceeding with treatment.