Taking care of your teeth by keeping your mouth clean and free of disease benefits your oral hygiene. While this is essential, brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist regularly does not guarantee your teeth will be straight or that you’ll be satisfied with your smile.
Accidents happen, teeth may chip, they may grow in crowded, or there may be another factor preventing you from having the perfect smile. Because many of us value aesthetic dentistry even though it doesn’t always affect the functionality of our teeth, finding a cosmetic dentist is important.
What Is the Difference Between a General Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist?
While there is some overlap between these two types of dentists, a general dentist works on preventive treatment and routine care. On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist focuses on the overall perception of your smile. If you need dental work in both areas, fortunately, many dentists are knowledgeable in both fields. However, this is something you will want to confirm before signing on with a new dental office. If your general dentist does not do cosmetic work, you may be referred to an outside office.
5 Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry
Depending on the state of your smile and what cosmetic dental work you’re searching for, you will be looking at different procedures and costs. The following are five common cosmetic procedures people request to improve the look of their smile:
Composite Bonding
When a tooth is damaged or discolored, composite bonding is used to restore its appearance. By drilling out the decayed part of the tooth and applying composite to reshape the tooth, a dentist can make a broken tooth appear flawless. This is the most cost-effective way to fix damaged teeth.
Dental Veneers
A better, but more expensive way to improve the appearance of one’s teeth is by getting veneers. Using a strong dental adhesive to attach the ceramic veneer to the front of a tooth, a dentist can fix just about any issue with the look of a tooth. Dental veneers are made to match surrounding teeth. Dentists will also spend time forming the veneer to look as realistic as possible.
Teeth whitening
You may be unhappy with the appearance of your teeth even after plaque and tartar have been removed. Because the color of your teeth may not be as white as you would like, you may want to whiten or bleach your teeth.
Over a course of years, what you eat, drink, or smoke will stain your teeth. To reverse this color change and brighten your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can bleach your teeth. While there are countless methods for teeth whitening that can be done at home, a cosmetic dentist will be able to achieve optimal results in a shorter period.
Implants
When tooth decay is neglected, it will lead to the loss of the tooth. To fill the space of a missing tooth, a titanium screw supporting a crown can be inserted into the gap. After implants are secured into place, they become permanent. A cosmetic dentist also ensures that the implant matches your surrounding teeth.
Inlays And Onlays
Inlays and Onlays, also known as partial crowns, are used instead of fillings when there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling. When the tooth cusp is damaged, a dentist will use an Onlay to cover the tooth’s entire surface. If the cusp is undamaged, then an Inlay fills the space in between the cusps.
When the tooth damage is mild and doesn’t warrant a crown, an Inlay or Onlay will be used as a conservative option. They are also cheaper than a crown. In addition to preventing any further decay, Inlays and Onlays restore the shape of teeth.
When the tooth damage is mild and doesn’t warrant a crown, an Inlay or Onlay will be used as a conservative option. They are also cheaper than a crown. In addition to preventing any further decay, Inlays and Onlays restore the shape of teeth. When searching for the best cosmetic dentist near you, it can also be helpful to hear about other people’s experiences and see pictures of the work they’ve had done. And if you still can’t decide on a cosmetic dentist, make a consultation appointment and see how you feel afterward.
