…two front teeth??
Does this sound familiar? Is remedying your smile top of the wish list this year? Then you’re in the right place with the Harley Street Smile Clinic.
The song may have been released in the 60s (and sung by a small child eagerly awaiting her adult teeth) but with famous lines of, ‘Everyone stops and stares at me,’ the reality of feeling self-conscious about front teeth – missing or not – still strikes a chord with many.
Perhaps your front teeth are present but are chipped, cracked or yellowing. Whatever the problem, issues with teeth anywhere in the mouth, but particularly at the front, can have a negative impact on the look of a smile. Causing embarrassment, damaging confidence and forcing you to stay tight-lipped over the festive season.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s plenty you can do to remedy the problem. And you don’t have to wait for Christmas…or even be on the good list!
Front teeth
Whilst most people think of front teeth as the two top and bottom central teeth. There are in fact eight teeth officially classed as ‘front’ teeth.
These are the two central incisors at the top and bottom of the mouth, and those flanking them on either side – called lateral incisors.
Problems with front teeth
As the first thing people see when we open our mouths to talk, eat or smile, there’s simply no escaping front teeth. This is why they can have such a detrimental impact on how we feel about ourselves if they don’t look quite how we want them to.
Common concerns include:
- Missing front teeth – an accident or injury, decay, or a tooth that never appeared in the first place (the upper lateral incisor is one of the most common teeth to be missing in an adult mouth), whatever the reason, a missing tooth leads to obvious spacing issues.
- Gaps in teeth – gaps can form anywhere in the mouth but one of the most common is between the upper front teeth. This is referred to as a ‘midline diastema’.
- Chipped teeth – chipped, broken or worn down, teeth at the front of the mouth are most at risk of damage.
- Discolouring – as we age teeth gradually lose their natural white lustre and begin to yellow. Trauma to teeth can also cause them to discolour.
How to fix problems with front teeth
Are you apprehensive about the thought of dental work? Don’t worry.
There are plenty of ways to make improvements without having to go endure invasive or painful treatment.
At the Smile Clinic, we offer a variety of procedures designed to help remedy a wide range of issues with front teeth. Treatments include:
- Veneers – a ceramic shell is skilfully fitted to the surface of an existing tooth to mask any imperfections such as a chip, crack or yellowing. Sculpted to fit your mouth perfectly, they can also be crafted to conceal overly large gaps between teeth and even out your smile.
- Whitening – few people would say no to a whiter, brighter smile. If you’re a lover of coffee or red wine, or enjoy a rich spicey diet, it’s likely your front teeth are bearing the brunt and have lost their whiteness. That said, teeth can yellow as part of the natural aging process or may just be predisposed to being a more yellowy shade. Whatever the reason though, there’s no need to live with it and simple whitening treatments can be extremely effective.
- Gum sculpting – a gummy smile is actually a pretty common complaint. If you’re self-conscious your smile shows too much gum, or that your front teeth look out of proportion, gum sculpting to remove excess gum tissue can offer powerful results
Solve tooth embarrassment this festive season
Is it time to change the record? Want something other than a cosmetic dental procedure to feature at the top of your Christmas wish list next year? Then get in touch with the team here at the Harley Street Smile Clinic now.
Start by sending in a photo of your smile for a free assessment and we’ll get back in touch with details of how we think we can help to make improvements and a personalised quote.
What better way to start the new year than by giving both your smile and your self-esteem, a new lease of life!