Cosmetic dentistry is an unofficial branch of dentistry that deals with how the teeth look. It mainly focuses on the aesthetic improvement of bites, teeth, or gums. Cosmetic dentistry offers services like teeth whitening, teeth shaping, cavity filling, veneers, composite bonding, and lots more.
In both ancient times and now, a smile has always been considered one of the main keys to a great first impression. You should be ready to flash a smile any time you’re looking to impress. If you don’t have full confidence in your smile, then you might want to consider cosmetic dentistry.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for You?
If you have confidence issues that stem from your teeth, or your teeth have functional problems and you want to improve their appearance while you’re at it, then yes. Cosmetic dentistry is for you.
- Chipped Teeth: If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, you need the attention of a cosmetic dentist. A cosmetic dentist will not only fix the tooth but can also make it more aesthetically pleasing after the main treatment is done. You shouldn’t leave a chipped tooth untreated because it is exposed to bacteria. This could then lead to infection.
- Jaw-Shape Change: Unknown to most people, a missing or damaged tooth can change the shape of your jaw gradually. This is because as your teeth shift around, it changes your jaw alignment. This leads to a sagging jawline, and your face muscles becoming unsupported. A cosmetic dentist would fix it before the problem gets worse.
- Stained Teeth: Everyone has had discolored or stained teeth at a point in their lives. It is a natural result of the things we eat. Sometimes, it could even be a warning sign of something more serious. It’s not a pleasant feeling to know your teeth are stained. Most times, over-the-counter teeth whiteners can’t do the job. A cosmetic dentist will give your teeth the attention and cleaning they deserve.
- Missing Teeth: A missing tooth is not only a very embarrassing situation because it makes your smile crooked, but a dangerous one. Having a missing tooth means increased chances of oral infection. It also causes your teeth to shift, leading to an improper bite (which is called a malocclusion). This in turn can cause headaches, muscle pain, additional tooth loss, and premature wearing of the teeth.
Cosmetic Dentists offer a whole range of basic functional and complicated aesthetic dental services so you regain confidence in your smile.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is the most common and basic procedure carried out cosmetic dentists. Most times over-the-counter teeth whiteners don’t work, and continuous staining of the teeth can herald a more complicated issue. A cosmetic dentist carries out professional bleaching on stained teeth after checking out your teeth. The effects can last up to three years and the costs vary from procedure to procedure.
- Composite Bonding: With bonding, tooth-colored resins are applied to teeth to fill in excess spaces or in repairing teeth damage (like cracks, cavities, and discoloration). It is the simplest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedure available.
- Veneers: Veneers are porcelain tooth-colored shells that are permanently attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are used in cases of chipped, broken, misshapen, stained, or smaller-than-average teeth. Usually, a mold of your teeth is created from which the veneers will be made. Veneers are typically more expensive than bonding. They can last for up to ten years once implanted.
- Crowns: A crown is a cap covering a damaged tooth. A crown can either be temporary or permanent. Crowns can be made from various materials, depending on the cost, durability, function, and structure. Crowns are used as protection for damaged, cracked, or weakened teeth. They are also used to stabilize large fillings.
- Inlays/ Onlays: Inlays and inlays are tooth-colored materials that are bonded into damaged teeth. While inlays are fitted into the tooth to replace defective fillings, inlays are extended onto the chewing surface of a tooth to replace cusps. They can also be used to treat tooth decay. They are created in a dental laboratory and then fitted before being bonded into/ onto the damaged tooth.
- Teeth Reshaping: Tooth reshaping is a low-cost quick and painless procedure designed to fix chipped, cracked, misaligned, or any other such damages to teeth. It involves the removal of some of the teeth’ enamel before reshaping the damaged tooth. A tooth-colored bonding resin that hardens on your teeth is often utilized cosmetic dentists to mold the tooth to the desired shape.
- Full Mouth Reconstruction: Full mouth reconstruction involves the combination of reconstructive and cosmetic dental procedures to correct functional teeth problems.
Conclusion
Cosmetic dentistry is not just for people with tooth problems. Your smile is your identity, so you should endeavor to give our identities the best looks they can have.