Whether you’re conscious of it or not, your teeth have undoubtedly been a source of anxiety and self-consciousness for as long as you can remember. It’s understandable, considering that the appearance of your teeth is often the first and only visible thing people are exposed to upon meeting you. This is why so many people have been willing to go to such extreme lengths in an attempt to improve their smiles. In fact, there’s a whole industry focusing on cosmetic dentistry and its services. What this means for you is that if you’re looking to improve the appearance of your teeth, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you should know about cosmetic dentistry.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that focuses on restoring the appearance of facial teeth. This may include, but is not limited to, procedures to correct dental issues such as crooked teeth, misshapen teeth, and stained teeth. Cosmetic dentists may also provide dental enhancements such as veneers, crowns, and Invisalign.
Most cosmetic dentistry procedures are performed on the teeth of the upper or lower jaw and typically take place in a dental office or hospital setting.
What Services are Provided by Cosmetic Dentistry?
If you’re looking to improve your smile, here are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures that dentists offer:
- Dental Veneers – These are decorative coverings that are permanently bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be fabricated out of a variety of materials, including dental stone, porcelain, plastic, and metal. Some veneers come with a nominal base price while others require a consultation. Depending on your specific needs, veneers may also include crowns, Invisalign clear braces, or a combination of these.
- Dental Crown – Crowns are essentially caps that are affixed over the rest of your teeth to create a more uniform appearance. Crowns can be fabricated out of a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, or dental stone. Same-day dental crowns are trending these days due to CAD/CAM technology. Depending on your needs and preferences, a crown may also come with veneers or a digital scanner that generates a 3D image of your mouth.
- Invisalign – These are clear, plastic aligners that you wear during your orthodontic treatment. Once you’re through the Invisalign phase, you simply hand the aligners back to your cosmetic dentist. Once your braces are removed, your dentist will perform the procedure that you’ve requested for a fraction of the cost of traditional braces.
- Dental Inlay – This involves placing a composite material (such as porcelain or dental stone) directly onto the tooth’s surface in order to create a more natural appearance.
- Dental Sculpting – This involves removing unwanted tissue from your gums with the goal of making your smile appear more natural.
How is Cosmetic Dentistry Different from Functional Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is not the same thing as functional dentistry. With cosmetic dentistry, you’re not looking to change your teeth’s ability to chew or your ability to speak. What you’re going for is the appearance of your teeth: crooked teeth, stained teeth, misshapen teeth, etc.
For example, if you have crooked teeth, you may have the option of:
- Straightening your teeth.
- Relocating your teeth so that they’re not as crooked.
- Performing a dental graft.
- Treating your gums with braces.
- Seeking medical assistance for your crooked teeth.
How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist
Finding a cosmetic dentist can be difficult, given that there are so many options out there. The best way to narrow things down is to consult with friends and family members to find out who they’ve trusted with their smiles. You can also check out some of the following resources, which are listed by state:
- Cosmetic Dentists Association of North America – http://cosmeticdentists.org/
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry – http://www.aaccd.org/
- American Association of Orthodontists – http://www.orthodontics.org/
- American Dental Association – http://www.ada.org/
Bottom line
The best way to determine if cosmetic dentistry is right for you is to talk to your dentist about your specific needs. If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your teeth, your dentist will be able to give you a more in-depth idea of what you can expect from cosmetic dentistry.
