For individuals who want to enhance the appearance of their teeth, cosmetic dentistry offers a range of procedures aimed at improving aesthetics. This field focuses on enhancing the smile’s visual appeal through various treatments that can alter the color, shape, size, and alignment of teeth. Understanding when to seek the cosmetic services of a dentist begins with recognizing what this specialized area of dental care entails.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dental practice that focuses primarily on improving the aesthetics of your teeth and smile. While general dentistry addresses oral health issues and dental diseases, this field of dentistry is concentrated on appearance. The procedures involved are elective. This means they are performed based on a patient’s desire for an enhanced look rather than out of medical necessity. A cosmetic dentist has undergone specific training in procedures designed to create changes to your teeth and smile.
What Can It Address?
Many common aesthetic dental concerns can be addressed through this field of dentistry. Patients often seek these services to correct a variety of imperfections that may affect their smile. One frequent reason for consulting a cosmetic dentist is tooth discoloration. Stains from coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco may leave teeth looking yellowed or dull. Age also contributes to the darkening of teeth. Cosmetic procedures can effectively brighten the smile.
Another area of focus is misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth. Teeth that are crooked, have gaps between them, or appear too short or long can disrupt the symmetry of a smile. Teeth that are chipped, cracked, or worn down from use may be restored to a more pleasing and uniform shape. Some individuals may also have a “gummy” smile, where an excess of gum tissue is visible. Cosmetic procedures can offer solutions for this as well.
What Services Fall Under It?
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses several distinct procedures, with each tailored to address specific aesthetic goals. A consultation with a dentist will determine which treatment is most suitable for an individual, taking into account their unique needs and goals. Prominent services include:
- Teeth Whitening: This involves using bleaching agents to remove stains and lighten the color of teeth by several shades. Professional teeth whitening performed in a dental office or with take-home kits provides more noticeable results than over-the-counter products.
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. They can correct a wide range of issues, including severe discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps, and minor misalignment.
- Dental Bonding: A tooth-colored composite resin is applied to a tooth, sculpted into the desired shape, and hardened. Bonding is an effective solution for repairing decayed, chipped, or cracked teeth and can also close small gaps.
- Dental Crowns: A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. Crowns restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance.
- Gum Contouring: This procedure reshapes the gum line to create a more balanced smile. It can correct a smile by removing excess gum tissue or restore receded gums to create a more even gum line.
Your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan outlining the recommended procedures.
Confer With a Cosmetic Dentist
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your smile, a discussion with a cosmetic dentist is an appropriate next step. The dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your aesthetic objectives, and review your oral health history. This initial meeting provides an opportunity to explore potential treatment options and understand what may realistically be achieved.