Few people are born with a perfect smile. Most people need orthodontics at some point. Others have a genetic predisposition toward yellow teeth. So, if you have a lacklustre smile, you go to the dentist to have him or her correct it.

Your dentist gives you access to many different procedures that can solve a variety of cosmetic problems. We have outlined a few of those problems and possible solutions below.

1. Yellowed or Otherwise Discoloured Teeth

Teeth have porous enamel that small substances can permeate. So, any number of factors could turn them yellow or even brown. For example, if you drink coffee, wine, soda, or any other dark liquids, your teeth could become stained over time. Or, if you smoke or chew tobacco, something similar could happen. Your teeth also yellow because of age, certain medications, and acidic foods.

If your smile no longer appears as white as you would like, you have two options depending on the stain’s extent.

Teeth whitening represents the simplest option. Your dentist may prescribe an in-home treatment that involves a gel and whiteningtrays. You simply wear the trays for 20 mins twice a day to bleach the colour out of your teeth. Your dentist may also prescribe a professional laser bleaching treatment, which works faster. However, even an in-chair treatment can’t solve the most severe stains.

Veneers are your next option. These porcelain slivers cover the front of your teeth and give you a new, brilliant smile. Veneers can hide stains that teeth whitening cannot quite eradicate.

2. Irregularly Sized Teeth

Ideally, everyone would have a uniform smile, and all people’s teeth would appear the same size. However, some people have irregularly-sized or -shaped teeth because of their genetics. Others have misshapen teeth because a cavity created holes in their enamel. If you find yourself in either situation, you have two solutions: veneers and tooth shaping.

As outlined above, veneers consist of slim, porcelain sheets that cover the front of your tooth. Your dentist adheres them to the tooth, and then your veneers function just like the rest of your teeth. And they look natural as well. You may have to replace them eventually though, as they may wear out. Your dentist can tell you more.

Tooth shaping, on the other hand, removes flaws instead of covering them. During this procedure, your dentist will remove small amounts of tooth enamel to make misshapen teeth look gorgeous. However, since your teeth will have less enamel, they may feel sensitive for a while. You will also have to care for them meticulously to guard against cavities.

3. Unevenly Spaced Teeth

If you have uniform teeth, you could still end up with gaps in your smile. Or, even after you receive orthodontic treatment, your teeth could shift later and leave a gap between them if retainers had not been worn regularly. Luckily, veneers can solve this problem as well. You can also ask your dentist about clear aligners to slowly ease your teeth back into alignment.

4. Missing Teeth

Age, trauma, gum disease and other factors can make you lose teeth. But you don’t have to live with those large gaps in your smile. Rather, use implants or bridges to fill them.

Implants give you the sturdiest option. They anchor directly into your jawbone via a titanium screw. That screw attaches to a mounting post, which then attaches to a false tooth. That tooth looks and functions just like your natural teeth. And with proper care, your implant can last many years.

Bridges involve a pontic, or false tooth, held between two crowns. The crowns cap the teeth on either side of the gap. The pontic adheres to the two crowns and rests on the gum between them. As a result, you have a complete smile. Many patients find this option preferable because it doesn’t involve recovery time.

5. Broken Teeth

If you have broken teeth, you need a crown. To install a crown, your dentist reshapes the tooth’s structure. Then he or she makes a mould of the broken tooth and the surrounding teeth. He or she sends that mould to his office or a lab to manufacture a crown. The crown then adheres to your tooth and blends in with the natural teeth around it.

If you have any of the above problems, call your dentist to schedule an appointment. You should not have to live with an imperfect smile. Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to.