Cosmetic Dentistry

Usually, dentistry focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. But more and more dentists are specializing in improving the appearance of a person's mouth with cosmetic dentistry. A person's teeth, mouth and smile can get a makeover through cosmetic dentistry.

Normally, a dentist addresses dental problems that require the necessary treatment for a person's health. But cosmetic dentistry is different. It is elective and a cosmetic dentist must be specialized in more areas of dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is always changing for the better and there are many new ways of improving the look of your teeth and smile.

Dentists are currently utilizing more conservative cosmetic dentistry methods to conserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. A dentist who performs cosmetic dentistry will also use lasers to perform some of the procedures without the need of the patient seeking a specialist. This reduces recovery time and makes makeovers more convenient for patients. There are different cosmetic dentistry treatments that a dentist may perform on their patients. One of the most common procedures a dentist is used to performing is composite bonding. This is the repair of broken, chipped or discolored teeth. A dental composite material with the appearance of dentin and enamel is applied to the surface of the tooth, where a dentist then sculpts it into shape and hardens it with a high intensity light.

Most all dentists usually perform this procedure. This procedure is also like dental veneers. Veneers are a porcelain or composite laminates that are adhesively glued to the surface of a tooth in order to correct and repair chips, cracks and discoloration. Dental implants are another big cosmetic dentistry procedure a dentist can perform. They are artificial tooth root replacements that compensate for tooth loss. But one cosmetic dentistry procedure that every dentist may not be skilled at is what's called a smile makeover. With a smile makeover, a dentist will assess your smile and make changes to improve its overall appearance. Usually a dentist will have to combine more than one cosmetic dentistry procedure for a full smile makeover, including dental implants, veneers, gingival sculpting and teeth whitening.

This cosmetic dentistry procedure can be extremely expensive and not every dentist is skilled in those areas. Another procedure that every dentist may not be able to perform is a full mouth reconstruction. This calls for improving your smile and oral appearance by operating on the teeth, muscles and bone structure of your face. This cosmetic dentistry procedure is also expensive and not covered by every dentist. Remember that most cosmetic dentistry is not covered by insurance. Your dentist can perform normal cleanings and procedures like bridges or caps, but any cosmetic procedure, like whitening or veneers are usually not covered by insurance. They are very expensive otherwise, so make sure you do your research before you consider it.

If you are unhappy with your own smile or the way that your teeth look, then you should consider visiting a dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry. There are many different treatments a dentist can perform to improve your oral appearance.