Just What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

The term cosmetic dentistry, also called aesthetic dentistry, applies to any procedure that enhances your smile and improves your overall appearance. This covers a broad range of possible treatments, ranging from tooth whitening to complete reconstruction of your teeth and even applies to improvement in the appearance of dentures. While consideration of improving appearance is part of any dental treatment, because of recent activities in dental procedures and materials, patients are increasingly coming to dentists purely for cosmetic reasonsthey want a more beautiful smile!

Thanks to the recent advances in dental materials and techniques, your dentist can help you attain the smile you've always wanted but thought it was impossible to have. Your teeth are the centre of your smile, and your smile without any doubt is the most important social bonding gesture you possess.

Most dentists call themselves cosmetic dentists these days, but we really do not have a definition of what that is. From doing a filling to a porcelain crown, one can call oneself a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry goes way beyond these procedures and is a process in which you will participate to help design your smile based on natural esthetic principles. We carry out the design you have in mind to models and eventually into your mouth. The procedure is predictable and can create the type of smile that will give you beauty and confidence to smile about.

Benefits of a Pleasing Smile

One of the obvious benefits of a beautiful smile is the satisfaction that it brings youit just makes you feel better about yourself and boosts your self-confidence. Recent studies have also shown conclusively that a pleasing smile makes others feel that you are more attractive, intelligent and successful. Modern cosmetic dentistry can be a life-changing experience.

Various Cosmetic Procedures

Modern dentistry offers a variety of ways to enhance one's smile. Actually, just a visit to the dental hygienist can improve your smilea professional cleaning can remove unsightly stains and brighten the teeth. The choices available to you will be largely governed by the present condition of your teeth.

Procedures might include:

• Whitening: This is a means of lightening discoloured or stained teeth without altering the shape of the teeth in any way. This may be done in the office or by means of take-home whitening kits.
  
  
• Veneers: Thin porcelain laminates can be bonded to the front teeth to close gaps or change the size, shape or colour of your teeth.
  
  
• Bonding: Often used to fill spaces or to repair chips, gaps or tooth shape. The composite material is bonded to your tooth and then shaped and polished for optimal function and appearance.
  
  
• Fillings and Inlays: Composite material to match your tooth colour may be used in place of silver/mercury amalgam fillings. Porcelain inlays are also color matched and save more tooth structure than fillings.
  
  
• Onlays: Used to protect fractured or damaged teeth from further damage, porcelain onlays also match tooth colour. They extend over the cusps of the teeth and save more tooth structure than crowns.
  
  
• Bridges or Implants: To fill a space where teeth are missing, a bridge—two or more crowns and an artificial toothmay be used. A newer technology uses a titanium implant in the jawbone that supports the artificial tooth.
  
  
• Porcelain Crowns: After removing badly damaged or decayed material, a tooth-like “cap” is cemented in place. Crowns can be matched to your tooth colour.
  
  
• Full Mouth Reconstruction: Restoring all of the teeth is called a full mouth reconstruction. Usually elected when major changes to your bite are required, one of the benefits of this procedure is that it allows you and the dentist latitude in pre-selecting the size, shape and arrangement of your teeth.
  
  
• Orthodontics: Various procedures and treatments, such as braces, can be used to realign your teeth and change your bite to enhance your smile.