Cosmetic dentistry is becoming very popular because the way your teeth look really does affect how you feel about yourself. More and more people are realizing that being embarrassed about their smiles prevents them from laughing, smiling in photos, and being social with new people. So, cosmetic dentists not only make a difference in the functionality of teeth, but also in the overall well-being of the patient. If you’re thinking about taking advantage of the many benefits of cosmetic dentistry, you may have some questions about it.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry serves to improve not only the aesthetic but also the function of the teeth. For example, when a tooth is chipped, fixing it will help the bite, chewing, and speech of the patient as well as the look of their smile. Contrary to popular belief, cosmetic dentistry includes more than just teeth bleaching. Here are some of the other ways cosmetic dentists help their patients.
- Gum Lifts
- Bonding
- Reshaping
- Contouring
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
It’s important to talk to a dentist at a consultation before deciding if this is for you because your case may or may not be treatable. Depending on the issues you have, you’ll have different options for treatment. You may be a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry if you have any of the following.
- Short or Over-sized Teeth
- Irregularly-Shaped Teeth
- Overbites, Under bites, Cross Bites
- Chipped, Cracked, Broken Teeth
- Gaps or Crooked Teeth
- Gum or Tooth Structure Removal
- Missing or Rotting Teeth
- Discolored Teeth
The different methods cosmetic dentists use vary in intensity. The least invasive procedures are whitening treatments. Resin Bonding is in the middle of spectrum, and it involves attaching a resin material onto the teeth to fill in gaps or make teeth longer. Orthodontic braces are also an option for simply straightening teeth that do not have other issues with size or shape. On the opposite end of the spectrum are implants and veneers, because they are permanent and a big change to the mouth. Implants involve a post being drilled into the bone and a crown being attached, and veneers involve shaving down the tooth considerably to place a cosmetic crown on top of it.
Tips on finding a cosmetic dentist
When looking for a dentist in your area, check to see if they are certified to do the procedure you’re wanting by looking at proof of their continuing education credits. You can also see if you like their work by looking at before and after photos and reading references and reviews online from past patients.
Click here for more information and get started on that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted today!
About The Author: Karen Simpson is a dental hygienist, writer, mom blogger passionate about health. Her passions include: overall health and fitness, and love of researching topics surrounding dental health, life long nutrition, and how to help parents living their busy lives.
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Jaque Christo says
I hadn’t realized there was so much to cosmetic dentistry. I wonder if you could find a dentist who could do your normal cleanings as well as cosmetic dental procedures. I will have to do some more research into dentists in my area and see what they provide before deciding. Thank you for the information.
Taylor Bishop says
Thanks for helping me understand more about cosmetic dentistry. I didn’t know that this could actually help with teeth that are irregularly-shaped. I’m kind of interested to see a comparison photo and how much a difference it could make.
Juris Ainsworth says
It was really nice how you suggested consulting a dentist first prior to deciding the type of cosmetic dentistry that I want so as to be sure that it really is the appropriate treatment for me. That is a tip that is worth taking note of as I know that only a dental health expert will determine what needs to be done. Anyway, I am planning to get a set of veneers, but I will check with a dentist first if I’ll be fine with just whitening. thanks!
Taylor Bishop says
Thanks for helping me learn more about different dental services. To be honest, I didn’t know that cosmetic dentistry could be a good option if you have irregularly-shaped teeth. I’m kind of interested to learn if the treatment you get depends on the condition of your teeth, like if some are more aligned than others.
Ava Murphy says
It did catch my attention when you said that cosmetic dentistry can improve the function of your teeth so you can bite, chew, and talk without any problems. Because of the gaps between my teeth, I’ve been having a hard time eating my favorite food. If a specific cosmetic dental service can help me to eat food without having to struggle, then I’ll make sure to consider visiting a cosmetic dentist soon.
Bethany Griffin says
It was really nice to know that cosmetic dentistry is also used to improve the function of your teeth because a chipped tooth can cause bite and speech problems. My daughter told me that because of her crooked teeth, she’s been having a problem speaking and eating the food that she wants. I’m unsure what kind of cosmetic dentistry she will need, but I’m certain that I want her to be comfortable when she’s speaking, so we’ll make sure to visit a professional soon.
Taylor Bishop says
Thanks for explaining what is considered to be cosmetic dentistry. I had no idea that gum lifts were a cosmetic procedure you can get. I’m interested to learn what this lift is like or if you qualify for it if your gums are lessened over time.
Ellen Hughes says
I do like that you suggested looking at the before and after photos of the cosmetic dentist that you’re interested in to see if you will like and be impressed with their works. Actually, it’s also good that you mentioned that dental bridges are considered as a cosmetic treatment because I’m interested in it. My goal is to find the right of dentist that can replace my missing teeth because I only would like to trust a dentist that can show me how skilled and experienced they are to provide what I want. Thanks!
Malia Davis says
Wow, I never knew there were so many different cosmetic dental procedures! Like you said, I thought bleaching was the only one, but it’s nice to know that there are other ones like bridges and veneers. My husband was talking to me about how he wants veneers, so I thought I’d look up some information about them. If they could make his smile look better and help him feel confident, then I would love for him to get some.
Dentist Essendon says
Thank you for sharing an information like this, this can help people what really a cosmetic dentistry. Keep sharing valuable information like this.