Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the functionality) of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry may involve:
- The addition of dental material to teeth or gums – examples: laminates of composite resin/porcelain veneers, crowns, gum grafts. To restore chipped, discolored, decayed front teeth.
- The removal of tooth structure or gums – examples: enameloplasty, gingivectomy. To restore asymmetry of teeth or gums in vertical dimension.
- Either adding or removing dental materials, tooth structure, or gums – examples: teeth whitening (bleaching), gum de-pigmentation.
- Straightening of teeth accompanied by improvement in appearance of face – example: orthodontics. Orthodontic procedures will fix crooked teeth, spacing between teeth, forwardly placed teeth.
- Scaling or teeth cleaning is done to remove deposits and stains on teeth.
Smile analysis involves a study of all the elements of your smile such as teeth appearance and alignment, gums, jaws and also your facial features and how they all fit together. This is the first step towards achieving your beautiful smile.
Gum lifts: A cosmetic dental procedure that raises and sculpts the gum line also known as gingivoplasty/gingivectomy. The procedure involves reshaping the tissue and/or underlying bones to create the appearance of longer or more symmetrical teeth.
Bite reclamation: Patients who’ve had years of excessive wear to their teeth due to grinding or acid reflux can alter their vertical dimension require bite reclamation. This gives them a closed or shorter look to their face and smile. By opening up their bite, a qualified professional can reclaim their vertical dimension.
Reshaping: Tooth reshaping removes parts of the enamel to improve the appearance of the tooth. It may be used to correct a small chip, or to alter the length, shape or position of teeth, as well as when there is tooth size discrepancy. It can be used to correct crooked or excessively long teeth. The removed enamel is irreplaceable, and may sometimes expose dentin. It is also known as enameloplasty, odontoplasty, contouring, recontouring, cosmetic contouring, slenderizing, stripping. This procedure offers fast results and can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances.
How to repair chipped, discoloured front teeth ?
This can often be done by bonding composite resin or in case of extensive damage veneers can be used.
How to restore damaged back teeth ?
Back teeth with cavities or traumatic injuries can be restored with tooth colored fillings or prosthesis that bonds to the tooth structure.
What happens if teeth are missing ?
In case of missing teeth a dental implant is placed which replaces the root of a missing tooth. A porcelain crown that looks just like a natural tooth can then be connected to the implant.
Benefits of cosmetic dentistry
Restoring your confidence: If you have chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, you probably hide your smile. But once these issues have been corrected by cosmetic dentistry, you can smile with confidence and people will be able to see the difference in you immediately.
Long-lasting effects: You can rest assured that your cosmetics dentistry treatments are made to last. That means the money you invest in your oral health pays off over the long-term. Cosmetic treatments can also help your natural teeth last much longer.
Optimizing your oral health: Misaligned teeth are not only a cosmetic problem, but they can also affect your oral and general health. When teeth are misaligned your risk of tooth decay is increased, as is your risk of gum disease. The later also increases your chance of heart disease and stroke. Cosmetic dentistry optimizes your oral and overall health.
Recovery time is brief: Another benefit of cosmetic dentistry is that you don’t have to spend days recovering from your dental treatment. Typically, recovery time is short, and you will experience very little pain while you recover.
Speak and eat with confidence: Once your dental procedure is finished, you will be able to enunciate fully and eat any type of food you enjoy without worrying about damaging your gums or teeth.
