What Is Cosmetic Dentistry, The Procedures Available, and Its Importance

When you visit your dentist for a consultation, he/she will take you through your cosmetic concerns. He/she will give you a recommendation in subject to your current dental history as well as your goals.

Your dentist will educate you on the many recent advances in dental opportunities that allow you to have your desired smile in only one or two dental appointments. However, you’ll have to visit your dentist more than twice for cosmetic dentistry if you need more extended work done on your teeth.

Here is an overview of what cosmetic dentistry is, popular procedures available, and its importance.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

This treatment focuses on improving your appearance by creating a positive change to your teeth and smile. It also enhances general oral tasks such as chewing and speaking. With cosmetic dentistry, your dentist will help in magnifying your teeth’ color and shape by delivering a life-changing treatment. By having a bold, healthy smile, your confidence in your day-to-day interactions will improve. Your dentist might use new materials or techniques during cosmetic dentistry procedures. This will help in upgrading the health of your back teeth.

Your dentist will not only focus on treating your current dental issues but will also focus on making sure you retain your beautiful smile once the oral problem is addressed.

Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

• Braces: These are dental tools that are used to moderately reposition your teeth. Braces also help in solving problems with your teeth. These problems may be crooked teeth, crowding, or teeth that are not well aligned. They comprise ceramic appliances, bands, and wires. A large number of people get braces when they are in their teenage years, but adults wear them too.
• Bridges: Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are dental restorations fixed to teeth next to the missing tooth space. The space is filled with an artificial tooth or teeth.
• Teeth whitening: This is a process of lightening the color of your teeth, restoring them to their natural color. It is often needed when your teeth change their color and become yellowed over time. This can be achieved by changing the internal and external color of the tooth enamel.
• Bonding: It is a procedure where the surface of a tooth is covered by a colored resin material. The material is hardened with a special light which bonds it with the tooth. It helps in repairing and changing the shape and the color of your tooth hence improving your smile.
• Crowns: Sometimes referred to as dental caps. They are dental restorations that cover a damaged tooth completely. Crowns are cemented on top of the tooth. They are needed when one has a large cavity that torment the health of a tooth. They are made of composite, metal, or porcelain.
• Veneers: These are thin layers of composite or dental porcelain material that are placed over a tooth. They improve your appearance, enhance your smile and protect the tooth’s surface from damage.
• Implants: These are replacements for missing teeth. They are surgical components that link with the bone of the jaw to support the dental intraoral prosthesis.
• Invisalign aligners: These aligners straighten your teeth, improving your aesthetic appearance. During the treatment, you will undergo an X-ray, and your dentist will take an impression which is sent to the laboratory to make the Invisalign aligners for you.
• Dentures: They are removable prosthetic appliances made to replace missing teeth. Dentures are supported by surrounding tissues and are often referred to as false teeth.

Why is Cosmetic Dentistry Important?

When one decides to get cosmetic dentistry, that doesn’t mean that he/she wants to impress others or classify himself/herself as of high social status, but one gets it to feel better. These are some of the reasons why it is important:

• It makes people feel better: Cosmetic dentistry offers treatment for various teeth problems like cracked teeth and stains. Hence, you proudly show their smile instead of hiding it.
• Leads to better oral hygiene: When you have a vibrant, healthy smile that you are proud it, you will find yourself taking better care of it to retain it. You will spend more time flossing and brushing to prevent oral diseases like gum disease from ruining your beautiful smile that you’ve worked so hard to earn it.