To look great, having a better smile is important. Imagine someone dressed up well but doesn’t have a decent smile. This is when cosmetic dental treatment comes to the rescue.
In the field of dentistry, cosmetic dentistry is basically a smile makeover done through multiple cosmetic procedures. In case you have cracked, chipped, or broken teeth that are ruining your smile, cosmetic dentistry is the best option to go for. Your dentist might suggest a treatment plan after an appointment.
In this article, we will briefly explain cosmetic dentistry, its types, and procedures.
Cosmetic Dentistry: Definition
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental procedure that mainly focuses on providing patients with a better smile. Treatments like teeth whitening and dental bonding are considered to be cosmetic dental procedures.
Difference between Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry
According to cedar creek dentistry, there is quite a common difference between general and cosmetic dentistry.
In general dentistry, the main focus of the dentist is usually to provide treatment care. The root canal and dental fillings are the types of treatment care that you might receive in order to protect your teeth and restore good oral health. On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry is mainly to enhance your smile feature. In this area, the dentist offers treatment only to improve the appearance.
When should I see a Cosmetic Dentist?
According to cedar creek dentistry, the following are some of the reasons why you should see a cosmetic dentist:
- If you have a tooth that is cracked or chipped.
- If you notice that there are gaps between your teeth(s).
- If you realize your teeth have stained.
- If your tooth is not properly aligned.
Also, it’s important to remember that your dentist might only suggest cosmetic treatments if you have good oral health. In case you are going through any dental issues, your dentist will suggest first addressing the issues before receiving any cosmetic treatments.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
As mentioned earlier, cosmetic dentistry includes treatments that offer improvement in a smile. There are five cosmetic treatments that your dentist can suggest you have.
Teeth Whitening
Due to excessive consumption of dark-colored food and beverages, there is a chance your teeth might lose their brightening. To restore that brightness and give your teeth their natural color back, your dentist can give you teeth whitening treatment.
There are two types of teeth whitening procedures:
- In-house teeth whitening procedure.
- Dental office-based teeth whitening procedure.
The in-house procedure usually takes a bit more time (a few weeks) compared to the office-based procedure, which normally lasts only a few hours.
Dental Bonding
In dental bond treatment, your dentist can use composite resin material. This material is utilized when there is a need to hide cracks and lines appearing on the teeth. Moreover, this procedure involves the shaping and formation of teeth.
If you are getting dental bonding treatment, make sure you always of the fact that this process requires replacement after every five years. It’s not a permanent cosmetic solution.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is one of the material types used in dental treatments. These porcelain veneers are strong shells that are placed in front of teeth that have cracks or any other dental imperfection.
Veneers are reversible but based on the type of veneers you pick. Also, veneers require replacement after every ten years.
Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring procedures involve the removal of enamel from your tooth. This is done to provide your teeth with a better shape. However, the removal of enamel depends on your dentist.
This treatment is quite straight, so you can expect to get it completed within your first-day visit.
Gum Contouring
A small portion of people faces gum tissue problems, which means they have excessive gums in their mouth, which also ruins the appearance of their smile. Gum contouring treatment allows the dentist to reduce the gums and give them a better smile.
Can Dental Care Treatments also restore your smile?
The above-mentioned cosmetic dental treatments are mainly for the purpose of improving appearance and giving patients a better smile. However, in case you are going through dental care treatments, there is a high chance that once your treatment is done, with good oral health, you might also restore a better smiley appearance.
What is the most preferred Cosmetic Dentistry?
Although there are different types of cosmetic treatments that your dentist can suggest, the most preferred one is teeth whitening. The majority of dentists suggest their patients this treatment as it allows them to restore their smile without going through any intense dental process.
Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Dentistry
Pros:
- Improves your smile.
- Removes stained teeth.
- Restores the shape of the teeth.
- Enhances confidence.
Cons:
- No insurance to cover the cost.
- Requires proper care to maintain the smile.
- Types like porcelain and veneers require replacement after a few years.
