What do people think about your smile? What do you think about it? Though we often wish it weren’t true, how we look says a lot about who we are. If your smile doesn’t accurately represent your personality because of damaged or missing teeth, or if it’s simply not white enough for your tastes, in this post, you’ll learn how the experts at Miracle Dental in Northwest Las Vegas transform tarnished and unremarkable smiles into head-turning works of art.
What can cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas do for you? We can reshape and brighten teeth, make spacing and the gum line appear more even, and replace or repair damaged teeth. Using our advanced training, experience, and modern dental technology, our dentists help patients like you learn to love their look! Call today to schedule your cosmetic consultation at Miracle Dental today: (702) 456-0056.
Planning Is Everything
Before we do any dentistry, cosmetic or otherwise, we start by evaluating oral health, then finding and repairing all problems. We treat underlying issues like tooth decay, gum disease, chips/cracks, and missing teeth. We build beautiful smiles on healthy foundations, designed to withstand the rigors of the environment within the mouth, as well as chewing and biting.
One key factor in precision treatment planning is creating or maintaining good oral occlusion, which refers to how upper and lower teeth fit together when the mouth is shut. Improper occlusion is known as malocclusion, or a “bad bite.” Correct occlusion is imperative because if the teeth don’t fit together well, muscles in the jaw work overtime to hold the mandible (lower jaw) in the correct place. Due to stress, the muscles can spasm (usually while you sleep), resulting in teeth grinding or gnashing, which wears down enamel and can cause teeth to chip or crack in a weblike pattern, known as crazing. Clenching and grinding teeth is a condition we call bruxism.
Balancing the Smile
In nature, symmetry indicates good health and stability, and our brains are wired so that order and predictability make us feel calm and safe. A balanced smile is naturally more attractive, so for cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas, we aim to make both sides from a midline look the same. Imagine drawing a line down the center of your mouth, over your lips. This is a midline.
Framing the Smile
Lips, gums, and teeth should work in harmony. Your gums and lips frame your smile. In addition to balancing teeth, we look for consistency in the gum line. The part of your smile that shows between your lips is known as the smile zone. Some people show both upper and lower teeth when smiling, while for others, only the top teeth show. A wide smile may reveal 8 to 10 upper teeth and 6 to 8 lower teeth, generally. Some very broad smiles show up to 12 upper teeth.
For cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas, we focus on the smile zone.
In some cases, teeth in this zone appear short and stubby due to a low gum line–a correctable issue. We use a dental laser to precisely trim away excess gum tissue, without requiring a scalpel or sutures.
Likewise, the lips should not reveal too much gum tissue. If they do, Botox injections can work to relax the appropriate muscles so that the lips frame teeth in a more esthetically pleasing way.
Benefits of Modern Technology
In addition to our minimally invasive dental lasers, we offer patients access to digital x-rays, which emit less radiation than traditional x-rays, while also offering more precise and detailed images. Intraoral and extraoral photos are also important; intraoral shows us details of the inside the mouth, while extraoral photos depict the smile zone for close evaluation. Our CBCT imaging, or cone-beam x-rays, are 3D images that show the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. We often use CBCT in cases with dental implants or orthodontic treatments.
Cosmetic Dentistry for Locals and Tourists
Our restorative and cosmetic dentists enjoy seeing our local patients, but we’re also available for tourists who might want to enjoy Vegas while receiving a smile makeover or getting dental implants.
Balancing oral health, comfortable function, and esthetics, we give patients the star treatment at every opportunity. Schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation today by calling (702) 456-0056 today. Located in Northwest Las Vegas, Miracle Dental is open 5 days a week and offers before- and after-work appointments for busy families.
