With a mouth defect, it's natural to feel self-conscious about some features in your smile, especially when posing for pictures. Instead of keeping your mouth closed or avoiding the camera lens, you can rely on cosmetic dentistry to give you back the smile you once loved. There are five different tooth defects that can impact your smile in a photograph. Each one has the potential to get corrected by a professional dentist.

Snaggle Tooth

Even if your mouth is fully closed, a snaggle tooth can poke out from your lip. This is a front tooth that is longer than the other and typically hangs out the front lip, although it can also occur on bottom teeth. While these teeth may not present any dental issues, they can become an annoyance and create confidence issues.

Cosmetic dentistry has the ability to file the tooth down and cap the edges so that it looks uniform with the rest of your mouth. This process can typically be done within a single session and requires no witch potion or black kettles to complete the process.

Discolored Teeth

Lighting has a big affect on the color of your teeth, but sometimes there are natural stains that cannot come out of a picture unless they are professionally removed from the surface of your teeth. Coffee, cigarettes, and bad brushing habits can lead to layers and stains on your teeth that feature multiple colors.

A deep whitening process can help remove these stains and keep your teeth looking sparkling white. Along with cleaning your teeth and removing the stains, a dentist can also examine your gums for any damage or signs of infection.

Sharpened Teeth

Chipped teeth, cracked teeth, and crowded teeth can all lead to a mouth that looks similar to a vampire. Not only can sharpened teeth dramatically change your smile, but it could cause damage to your lips or gums if you bite down the wrong way.

During an appointment, a dentist can grind down the sharp ends of your teeth or replace them completely. Using scanning technology, a dentist has the ability to create a smile that replicates images from the past or the vision you want for your teeth.

Missing Teeth

Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you don't have to leave the gaps in your mouth because of missing teeth. Using dental implants or veneers, a dentist can fill in those spaces with new teeth. This type of process is ideal for front and bottom teeth that are missing. If multiple teeth are missing, then dentists may choose to add a bridge to your mouth. This type of process makes it easier to install multiple teeth in a single mouth.

Along with the new teeth, a whitening treatment can help all of your teeth match in tone and color. New teeth may stand out, so it's a good idea to add in the extra process.

Short and Flat Teeth

When you don't wear a mouth guard for sleeping, you can grind your teeth until they are short and flat. This can also occur if you grind your teeth while playing sports or when stressed.

The process used to help with this type of look is known as tooth bonding. Instead of taking out any teeth, dentists will use a composite resin to return the teeth to the condition they were originally in. Once this process is done, it's important to take steps and figure out how to stop it from occurring again. This will allow you to keep a healthy smile as long as possible.

Even if you are unsure of the type of smile you want, it's a good idea to make an appointment for an examination. You will be able to see all your possibilities and choices for tooth repair and installations.