Cosmetic dentistry refers to the dental work done to improve the appearance of the teeth, gums, and bite. A primary focus is to change the dental appearance and character in color, position, shape, size, alignment and thus improve the overall smile appearance. It involves procedures that add or remove dental material to the teeth or gums, such as gum grafts, bonding, and straightening of teeth.
There may be various reasons, including genetics that your teeth does not give a perfect appearance, but this field of dentistry can help cure them all.
How does Cosmetic Dentistry help?
Cosmetic dentistry removes cracked, broken and crooked teeth. It helps in whitening and shaping of the teeth. In fact, there is not much that cosmetic dentistry cannot fix. It, apart from its beautifying function, can help improve the functioning of the teeth, gums and bite and also repairs them. Improved oral health is what you get as a result.
Benefits of cosmetic dentistry can be summed up as follows:
- Better Oral Health: Some cosmetic dental procedures like bonding, veneers, crowns, inlays, and Onlays help to repair cracked and broken teeth. This repairing will give the teeth additional support and thus prevent them from further damage.
- Better Bite: Due to various deformities of teeth, speech can be hampered. Also, the person may not be able to chew conventionally. Thus repairing can help to solve these problems too.
- Improved smile and confidence: The person with a perfect oral health has an inbuilt confidence to present himself/herself in front of others.
Procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry
- Inlays and Onlays: These are referred to as indirect fillings. They are made in a laboratory and are used in case the tooth has mild-to-moderate decay, or there isn’t enough tooth structure to sustain a filler. The inlay is placed directly on the surface of the tooth. Also, an Onlay may be used to cover the tooth’s entire surface, in case the cusp or a more considerable portion of the tooth has damage.
- Inlays and Onlays are composed of a resin material, developed in a dental laboratory. They are attached to the teeth with the help of adhesive dental cement. They provide support to the teeth and strengthen the teeth, restore their shape, and thus preventing further decay or deterioration.
- Composite Bonding: This procedure involves the repairing of the decayed, damaged or discolored teeth, with some material resembling the color of the tooth enamel. Dentists remove the decayed portion and then apply the composite material onto the surface of the tooth, giving it the right shape and later cure it with a high-intensity light.
- This procedure helps in covering the damage to the tooth and also is one of the cheapest methods in cosmetic dentistry, helpful for the patients of tooth decay, chipped or cracked teeth and worn-down edges.
- Dental Veneers: They are manufactured from medical grade ceramic and are made individually for all patients so that they can resemble their natural teeth. They have a realistic look and thus, solve numerous cosmetic problems, like crooked teeth, cracked or damaged enamel, noticeable gaps between two teeth. Veneer is applied to the front of each tooth using a dental adhesive.
- Teeth whitening: It is one of the most fundamental procedures of cosmetic dentistry and can be performed at the dentist’s office.The process should be carried out after plaque, tartar and other debris are cleaned from the surface of each tooth. Thus, restoring their natural appearance. Even this can be used to achieve a lighter color than the original teeth color. In the long run, teeth become stained and lose their color and also become worn out due to various foods, drinks, medications and other personal habits. Whitening just coats the teeth, and the procedure is so easy that even, it can be carried out at home. Even some toothpaste work on the same formula and give desired results in 3-4 weeks.
- Implants: Dental implants replace any tooth after it is lost. For this, the dentist inserts a small titanium screw into the jaw, at the site where the tooth is lost. This attachment supports the crown. The implants appear similar to the surrounding teeth and cannot be distinguished. Once the bone and the supporting tissue fuse the implant, the implant becomes permanent.
Related Article: Preventive Dentistry A Quick Reference Guide
A Spokane Dentist, Dr. Brady Bates says, “Smile is the first thing people notice about anyone. A confident smile has an outstanding impact on others, while a weak smile can ruin your reputation even before it is built.” Here is where cosmetic dentistry comes into play. It can help you get that perfectly beautiful smile. Consult your local dentist if you consider yourself for any of the above treatments.
References
- http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmetic_dentistry
- http://www.batesdental.com/education/cosmetic-dentistry/
- https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/cosmetic-dentistry/cosmetic-treatment