Is Your Smile Aging You?

By drscotto@drscotto.com

July 31, 2014

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Schenectady cosmetic dentist Is your smile looking a little tired? Your teeth may be showing signs of age that you didn’t expect. Although our pearly whites are protected by strong enamel, that enamel isn’t immune to every force. The combined effects of time, damage, and erosion will eventually take a toll.

While you may notice that something about your grin has changed, you may not realize exactly what it is – or why it’s making you look older. Dr. Scotto will approach your case with cosmetic expertise, and target the precise aspects that require gentle rejuvenation. Even simple treatments will help you shed years of visual age.

Your smile should be a source of confidence. But if your teeth are aging you, they’re not doing their job. Making a few cosmetic tweaks could lead to unexpectedly impressive rejuvenation.

How Old Does Your Smile Actually Look?

It’s tough to evaluate your smile in an objective way. You see your teeth every day, so you don’t notice the gradual aging that takes place over time. There are certain aesthetic aspects that convey signs of age – even when the rest of your body hasn’t caught up. Some of these visual tells include:

Discoloration – White teeth look strong, healthy, and attractive. Unfortunately, daily meals, drinks, and habits conspire to stain your enamel. Because the external layer of your teeth is porous, staining compounds lodge in place. This causes patches of discoloration, as well as an overall yellowing of your smile. The darkened look makes your teeth appear to have weathered many years.
Chips or cracks – Every time we use our teeth as tools, we’re putting them through something they just can’t handle. As the enamel weakens, it becomes prone to chipping. With those chips in your smile, your teeth gain a jagged look, and your smile doesn’t look as young or healthy as it truly is.
Eroded enamel – A combination of chronic teeth grinding, acidic foods and beverages, and physical damage leads to worn enamel on the front teeth. When your enamel is thin, the yellow dentin beneath shows through, darkening your smile. You also experience heightened sensitivity. Worn teeth look smaller and shorter, and appear to have led a longer life than they actually have.
Asymmetry – A symmetrical smile looks like it has been well cared for. But slightly crooked or uneven teeth show years of neglect (even if you’ve been taking great care of them). Sometimes, appearances can be deceptive, and even work against you.
Shifting – When you’re missing a tooth or losing gum tissue, your teeth begin to shift to move into the empty space. The resulting effects are aesthetically and functionally problematic.

Simple Dental Rejuvenation in Schenectady

Schenectady cosmetic dentist Hoping to emphasize the youthful aspects of your smile? Dr. Scotto can mask signs of aging with gentle cosmetic treatment.

Teeth whitening – Whitening removes stains from your smile by breaking up dark compounds in the enamel. With in-office whitening, you’ll see results immediately, leaving your appointment with a brighter grin. Patients are routinely amazed by how many years whitening seems to take off their smiles.
Dental bonding – Bonding adds tooth-colored composite material to your natural teeth, filling gaps and covering stubborn stains.
Dental contouring – When your smile is looking rough or uneven, contouring evens out the smile line. This curve (where your upper and lower teeth meet) is an important aesthetic factor for your smile.
Porcelain veneers – Dental veneers cover the surfaces of your front teeth, changing their appearance in nearly any way you would like.

If you think your smile may be aging you unfairly, get in touch. We’ll discuss your cosmetic options, and tell you more about a potential dental transformation.