Even a healthy smile may not be a smile a person is particularly happy with. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes in.
Even a healthy smile may not be a smile a person is particularly happy with. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes in. Cosmetic dentistry focuses primarily on the appearance of not just your teeth, but your mouth as a whole, and this facet of dentistry may cater to your teeth or gums in an effort to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry may encompass many different types of procedures, but some of the most common and most popular are:
- Teeth whitening – Years of smoking, coffee, tea, and even general wear and tear can really do a number to the look of your teeth. Professional teeth whitening is more effective than over the counter whitening products, and when performed by a cosmetic dentist, also looks after the overall lasting health of your teeth at the same time.
- Dental veneer placement – One of the most popular procedures performed by cosmetic dentists today is the placement of dental veneers. Dental veneers are small shell-like created using medical grade porcelain, resin, or ceramic, which are then placed on the surface of the teeth. These help to fix gaps between teeth, damaged teeth, discoloration, and more.
- Dental crown placement – Cosmetic dentists may also create and place dental crowns. These are fitted over decayed or otherwise damaged teeth, which help to restore not just the look of teeth but their strength and overall health as well. Dental crowns are cared for just as you’d care for natural teeth.
- Dental implants – Dental implants are used to replace teeth lost due to decay or irreparable damage and extraction. A cosmetic dentist will first place a screw-like support into the socket left behind by the missing tooth, which will fuse to the jawbone over time. Once this post is fused and secured, a crown will be placed to restore the surface of the missing tooth. After the implant is fully healed, it will be indistinguishable from the surrounding natural teeth.
Cosmetic dentists both look after the health of your smile as well as provide services to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. With services like crown placement, dental implants, and the placement of veneers, a consultation with a cosmetic dentist can identify and later fix a myriad of different oral health and aesthetic concerns.
