Understanding What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
There is a huge difference between wants and needs, the necessary and desired. This is the same with traditional dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. In traditional dentistry, the objective of the person is to have his oral diseases cured and promote good oral hygiene. Meanwhile, cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the physical appearance of the person’s teeth. This does not necessarily mean that the function of the tooth is improved as well. Looking good can come with a price – that’s the case of cosmetic dentistry. If you want to look good, make sure that you are willing to shell out money. If you have a dental insurance policy, it may not cover the whole operation but it may cover some of the procedures depending on the health card.
Dental filling before can be categorized under traditional dentistry because it restores and prevents the decaying of the teeth. Now, it can be considered as one of the cosmetic dentistry treatments because the fillings used are used to match the shade of your teeth unlike before when the fillings leave a black spot on your tooth.
There are several common cosmetic dentistry procedures such as:
Whitening or Bleaching – This is the most common cosmetic procedure done on your teeth. Our teeth can be stained due to smoking, eating, and probably poor oral hygiene. You can have a great smile if your teeth are pearly white.
Composite Bonding – A decayed tooth may still be repaired and restored to its old appearance through composite boding. If you have broken tooth, through cosmetic dentistry, it can still be restored by applying a composite material to the surface of the said tooth.
Dental Implants – These are artificial tooth replacements to compensate for the loss of tooth. This will improve your smile and make you look younger.
Inlays or Onlays – These are made from composite material which are long lasting and a good way to fill a tooth. These are different from dental fillings because inlays are made in a dental laboratory before your dentist fits and bonds it with your tooth.
Dental Veneers – These are thin porcelain strips that are placed directly to the teeth. They are used to close spaces or cover discolored teeth.
Gum surgery – Some people have big gums that result to “gummy smile”. This can be addressed in cosmetic dentistry. The excess gum tissue of the patient will be removed and sculpted by a dentist who is trained in periodontics. Meanwhile, people that lack gums which made their teeth look bigger will undergo grafting meaning the dentist will get tissue from other parts of their mouths.
For people who want to improve their smile, they can go to the nearest cosmetic dentist and ask for opinion. Cosmetic dentists are different from general dentists. They are trained specifically on cosmetic dentistry. They have completed extra training after they have graduated from dental school. This is the reason why you should go look for a cosmetic dentist instead of a general practitioner if your goal is to improve your smile aesthetically.