Categories: Cosmetic Dentist

3 Procedures From a Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dental care services aim to improve a person’s appearance and confidence by fixing aesthetic issues with the teeth and gums. However, cosmetic dentistry is not an officially recognized field in dentistry, so any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist or perform cosmetic treatments. Therefore, finding someone with additional education and experience regarding cosmetic treatments is important.

There are a number of dental treatments a practitioner can use to enhance and improve a smile. Read on to learn about the three most common procedures a cosmetic dentist performs.

Common cosmetic dental procedures

It is important to know and understand the types of cosmetic procedures and how they work before rushing into a decision. The following are the most common cosmetic dental procedures patients consider to enhance physical appearance (and often improve oral health):

Bonding, crowns, and teeth shaping

In cosmetic dentistry, these procedures improve the shape of teeth, though bonding and crowns may also improve the color. A crown consists of a tooth-colored material such as porcelain or composite resin to cover a badly decayed tooth. If teeth are jagged or uneven, special tools can alter the shape of teeth. Dental bonding can improve both the shape and color of teeth. A dentist can use composite resin to cover discolorations or craft a more aesthetically appealing shape for the teeth. Although these are three different treatments, they are all used to enhance the appearance of the teeth and overall smile.

Teeth whitening

According to the US National Library of Medicine, teeth whitening is one of the least invasive treatments used in cosmetic dentistry and is quite effective. Teeth whitening treatments performed by a dentist are significantly stronger than over-the-counter alternatives. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry states a single whitening treatment can improve the color of a person's teeth by up to 10 shades.

Veneers

A veneer is an ultra-thin shell that serves as a mask for the front of a tooth. Veneers hide any imperfections on the tooth, including stains and discoloration. Along with that, veneers increase the length of short teeth, deal with minor alignment issues, and cover up minor chips. The installation of veneers often requires the removal of a small portion of the enamel. This prevents the oral prosthetic from making the patient's teeth appear unusually large.

A trained cosmetic dentist will be able to help the patient decide which of these cosmetic treatments is most likely to yield the results they want.

Benefits of cosmetic dental care

Many patients find cosmetic dental care to be beneficial in a number of ways. First, they find they are smiling more because they have more confidence in their smiles. They find it easier to talk and be social because they no longer need to worry about noticeable flaws in their teeth. Next, many of these cosmetic treatments have the added benefit of helping the teeth actually function better.

Finally, a lot of our patients tell us they have a renewed sense of enthusiasm when it comes to oral health. Since they have invested in their teeth, they are more motivated to brush, floss, and regularly care for their teeth to help maintain the results.