Have you ever desired to change up how your smile looks? You are not alone. Thousands of people approach dental experts with different concerns about improving the appearance of their smiles. Today, a lot can be done to make your smile the perfect Hollywood smile. This is why cosmetic dentistry exists, to cater to all your cosmetic oral needs.
Whether you are looking for a minor modification of one of your teeth or an entire smile makeover, you can achieve your aesthetic dental goals by consulting a cosmetic dentist near you.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
It is a branch of dentistry that deals with the aesthetic elements of the oral cavity. The primary goal of the dental procedures performed in this specialty of dentistry is to impact the appearance of a smile. Technically, multiple procedures are employed to adjust the appearance of a smile. Changes made in the oral cavity impact the shape, size, color, and overall appearance of teeth.
While some of the dental procedures in cosmetic dentistry are simple and non-invasive, sometimes cosmetic dentists employ drastic measures. The kind of procedure to be performed on your mouth in cosmetic dentistry often depend on your preferences as a patient, based on the outcome you desire for your smile.
What Are the Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?
Cosmetic dentistry types are different and unique to ensure that every patient can achieve the kind of smile they desire. The cosmetic dentistry procedures differ based on the target area and the desired outcome. Some of the processes concentrate on modifying teeth, while others focus on the gums. The common procedures include the following:
- Tooth replacement – many people lose their natural teeth prematurely. The gap left behind is unsightly and can cause people to focus on the wring feature of your face when you smile. Instead, you can resolve to replace your teeth with different alternatives, ranging from dentures and dental bridges to dental implants.
- Teeth whitening – these are procedures that involve improving the brightness and whiteness of teeth. Some of the processes entail directly bleaching the enamels of your teeth to get rid of stains. Others, however, involve dental bonding processes to attach oral materials to your stained teeth. The materials can either be composite resin, dental veneers, or dental crowns.
- Dental realignment – this involves straightening teeth or their appearance thereof. For the most part, the process of realigning your crooked teeth requires an orthodontic process, typically performed in orthodontic dentistry. If you involve your cosmetic dentist in the process, then you can capitalize on cosmetically-friendly orthodontic techniques like the use of Invisalign®.
- Closing gaps between teeth – this dental problem is also usually treated by orthodontists. However, your cosmetic dentist can offer a different alternative, which involves placing dental veneers or dental crowns strategically on your teeth to close any gaps thereof.
- Reshaping teeth – the shape of teeth can be problematic for your smile. Some teeth can be too pointy, while others are extremely rounded or squared. Reshaping teeth is done to improve the shape of teeth, whether due to natural causes or otherwise. Dental veneers and composite resin bonding are employed for this purpose.
- Gum grafting surgeries – a cosmetic dentist may need to result in surgeries to correct the appearance of your smile. Gum grafting is a procedure performed to restore the health of damaged gum tissue. This often happens when you suffer from periodontitis, a gum disease that causes a recession of the gum tissue.
- Gum reduction surgeries – these are the complete opposites of gum grafting surgeries. Instead of reconstructing the gum tissue by adding to it, gum reduction involves reducing the gum tissue. This procedure is done for patients with a gummy smile. It refers to a situation where too much of your gum tissue shows when you smile, which can make your teeth look smaller than they are.
Cosmetic Dentistry Cost
Cosmetic dental procedures are often termed elective procedures, as opposed to medically necessary ones. For these reasons, many dental insurance companies do not cover the cost of many dental cosmetic procedures. This means you may need to foot the bill out-of-pocket. Depending on how much work is needed for the transformation of your smile, the prices will differ. Besides, some patients require multiple procedures, while others only need one.