How Cosmetic Dentistry can Improve your Speech

How Cosmetic Dentistry can Improve your Speech

While it’s true that many patients opt for cosmetic dental treatments to improve the way their smile looks, there are also a multitude of other benefits that these transformative procedures can help with. In this guide, we’ll explain how cosmetic dentistry can improve your speech as well as your image.

What Dental Factors Can Affect Speech?

As dentists, we know it’s all too easy for people to underestimate the impact that dental issues can have on our speech. The reality is teeth play a major role in helping us formulate the sounds and airflow necessary to help us express ourselves verbally.

Missing Teeth

One of the most drastic changes to our dental health that can impact articulation is a missing tooth. This can cause the following issues:

• Inability to pronounce words properly
• Lisping
• Whistling noises
• Difficulties with pronunciation

With a tooth missing – no matter where it is located in the mouth – the entire structure of the mouth can shift. As well as the short-term impact on our speaking abilities, a missing tooth (or teeth) could eventually cause what we call a collapsed bite. To maintain the full and usual range of sounds we need for speech, having issues like a missing tooth fixed is vital.

Gaps in Teeth

Like how missing teeth can cause unwanted sounds, gaps in between teeth can lead to whistling noises as we attempt to enunciate. While many of these gaps are natural, they can shift over time – becoming more noticeable both visually and verbally. You may experience difficulties with certain words or sounds. This is particularly common with those sounds where the tongue comes into contact with the teeth. There are a number of cosmetic dental treatments that can help fix or close these gaps.

Misaligned Teeth

We do rely on the tongue for speech, and with a misaligned bite our ability to effectively form certain sounds is impaired. The position of the tongue isn’t something we consciously think about when speaking, but when we can’t get it right it’s definitely noticeable!

Misaligned teeth may cause additional and unnecessary gaps in between our bite, so it fails to fully close in some areas. Being unable to form sounds properly due to misaligned teeth can be extremely frustrating. Orthodontic treatments can help with this.

Cosmetic Dental Procedures that Improve Speech

In the ever-advancing realm of modern cosmetic dentistry, there are a variety of treatments available that offer slightly different advantages. Whether the procedure you have in mind is suitable for you will depend on a range of individual factors, from the aesthetic concerns you are trying to correct, to whether you’d like to experience any additional benefits linked to your treatment. Here, we’ll look into a few of the cosmetic dental procedures that do improve speech as well as aesthetics.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a subtle orthodontic solution designed to align the teeth over time, using a series of discreet aligner trays. It can help with speech issues linked to misaligned teeth, gaps, or a misaligned bite.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. As missing teeth is one of the dental issues with the biggest impact on speaking abilities, getting dental implants can restore your smile – and your speech!

Veneers

Composite and porcelain veneers are often used to perfect inconsistencies in teeth that can lead to impaired speech. They work by covering up any of the gaps, chips, or misalignments that can cause inconsistencies with speaking abilities. In terms of restoring speech, composite and porcelain veneers are both great, with composite veneers being a more affordable option. The primary advantage that porcelain veneers have is in looking more realistic due to their semi-transparent impact, and the material also being slightly longer lasting.

Crowns

Crowns are ideal for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. Made from either porcelain, precious metals or Zirconia, dental crowns are bespoke-made to restore the tooth you’re having difficulties with. Though it’s a more invasive procedure than veneers or composite bonding, a crown is often more than just a cosmetic procedure. It can restore optimal dental health and prevent further damage to the surrounding teeth. As any gaps or weaknesses in teeth can cause issues with speech, crowns can help restore your full abilities – and protect the teeth in the long term.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is often recommended for those with chipped or uneven teeth. As a non-invasive treatment, it’s a quick way to upgrade your smile within just one visit to the dentist. As well as filling in any chips or gaps in the teeth to fulfil your aesthetic goals, composite bonding can also help improve speech. If you have chipped teeth, the natural shape of your bite is compromised. Some people don’t even recognise how these minor inconsistencies can even slightly affect their pronunciation abilities, and end up unexpectedly impressed with the results of their composite bonding treatment!

The Benefits of Improving your Speech

As cosmetic dentists, we often cite confidence and self-esteem as key reasons someone may opt for a cosmetic dental treatment. The primary boost we tend to focus on is in improving how our smiles look, but there are other ways these treatments can enhance your confidence levels! Improving your speech as a by-product of undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure is a great way to make a subtle yet effective change that offers a lasting upgrade when it comes to self-image.

If your dental issue is a new one, you may be struggling with the realities of having altered speech abilities. Others are also more likely to notice the changes, and will naturally point it out. This can make you feel even worse! Having these problems fixed as soon as possible will help you get your speech and self-esteem back on track.

Improve Your Speech with Cosmetic Dentistry by Ringway Dental

At Ringway Dental, we’ve transformed the smiles of thousands of patients. As well as this, we’ve restored the full range of speech abilities for many – for those who knew their dental health was impacting their speaking, and those that didn’t.

If you have experienced any of the issues with your dental health or speech discussed above, it’s worth getting in touch with us for a consultation. You can call our team to book now on 0161 437 2029.

Related Posts