When it comes to teeth, everyone knows that teeth are a part of the face. In addition to chewing food and helping with pronunciation when speaking, teeth also make our face beautiful, especially when we smile or laugh. If we have a bright smile and beautiful, healthy teeth, it will help us look younger and we will be able to smile with confidence.
But if your teeth have blemishes, such as black spots, freckles, or yellow stains, it can make you lose confidence when you smile. But with cosmetic dentistry, these unsightly things can be completely fixed. Today, we will introduce you to cosmetic dentistry .
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental service that provides treatment and taking care of the health of the teeth to be able to use them effectively, also focuses on correcting the shape, color and alignment of the teeth to be beautiful in order to adjust the smile of the patient to be more complete, so that they can smile with confidence and enhance their personality to look even better. Let’s see how cosmetic dentistry can fix our smile to be beautiful and attractive.
What Is The Difference Between A Cosmetic Dentist And A Regular Dentist?
Before we get into the differences, it’s important to clarify that all dentists with a proper degree can help you with your dental needs. This means they have the necessary qualifications. At the beginning of their careers, all dentists are regular (general) dentists. They become cosmetic dentists if they continue their training in this specific area.
In short, a general dentist focuses on preventing and treating oral diseases, while a cosmetic dentist focuses on the overall aesthetic appearance of the teeth. However, the two fields sometimes overlap, and there is no strict distinction between cosmetic and general dentistry.
A general dentist addresses issues related to pain, discomfort, and oral hygiene. Root canal treatments, tooth extractions, cleanings, fillings, and major procedures are all included in general dentistry. A general dentist may also perform some cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as teeth whitening or composite restorations.
On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist offers aesthetic solutions and helps boost your self-confidence. If your teeth aren’t attractive enough, a cosmetic dentist can help. The procedures they perform include veneers, teeth whitening, onlays, implants, dentures, natural-colored fillings, and smile makeovers.
Why is cosmetic dentistry important?
Cosmetic dentistry has a more functional approach to eliminating dental problems. It is important because it aims to ensure the health and normal functioning of teeth, as well as to create a natural and improved appearance. In addition, cosmetic dentistry prioritizes oral hygiene and the functionality of teeth.
Restoration of teeth during cosmetic restoration
The main methods of dental restoration in cosmetic dentistry are direct and indirect methods. The first option is used for patients whose dental condition allows the procedure to be performed in one visit. Direct restoration is most often used for teeth that do not experience constant chewing load. In most cases, specialists use photopolymers as a working material.
Before starting direct restoration of the tooth, the specialist selects the most appropriate color of the polymer and carries out preparatory work. After isolating the affected tooth from the neighboring ones, a specialist installs a pin if the degree of damage to the crown of the tooth is quite high. He applies the composite material layer by layer, modeling the upper part of the tooth to match its natural shape or the patient’s wishes..
A dentist uses Indirect restoration when the tooth has suffered significant damage, but the root system remains intact.
Advantages of cosmetic dental restoration methods?
Cosmetic dental restoration technologies have a number of advantages:
- The ability to quickly restore a damaged tooth or eliminate natural defects;
- High quality of modern materials;
- Application of advanced technologies;
- If the shade of the material is selected correctly, the restored tooth is indistinguishable from a natural one;
- Restored teeth do not require special care, look natural and can serve for a long time.
What Can Cosmetic Dentists Do for Your Smile?
Cosmetic dentists enhance your smile by improving the appearance of your teeth through treatments like whitening, veneers, and bonding. They help create a brighter, more confident smile tailored to your needs.
1. Smile Makeover
Smile makeovers aim to correct dental and gum problems related to various factors such as oral health, teeth, gums, and enamel. This improves overall oral health and appearance. To achieve an aesthetic result, the dentist takes into account the patient’s facial features, hair color, skin tone, teeth, gums, and lips.
2. Gum grafting
Gum recession, which can eventually lead to tooth loss, is a treatable dental condition. In such cases, there is sensitivity to hot and cold, as the roots of the teeth are exposed. Also, the tooth may appear longer than it should be.
Cosmetic dentistry offers gum grafting as a solution. This procedure prevents tooth loss by moving healthy gum tissue from one part of the mouth to another, creating a healthy and aesthetically pleasing gum line.
3. Gum correction
Sometimes teeth appear shorter than they actually are, or the gum line appears uneven. This can affect your appearance. Gum shaping helps correct irregularities in the gum line. This procedure can be performed on one or more teeth to improve your smile.
4. Prosthetics
Dentures are removable structures for replacing missing teeth, including surrounding tissues. They can be either single or complete.
5. Implants
During the dental implantation process, titanium implant roots replace missing tooth roots. The implants function like natural teeth, eliminating the problems of damaged teeth.
Implants provide a secure foundation, making them the best solution for healthy, strong teeth.
Learn more about “Finding the Best Implant Doctor Near Me in Queens Village: Your Guide to Dental Implants”
6. Composite fillings
Fillings you already have may need replacing due to wear, chipping, or cracking. This is an opportunity to replace silver amalgam fillings with tooth-colored composite fillings. Composite fillings are more aesthetically pleasing than amalgam fillings and do not raise concerns about their composition. However, in large cavities, composite fillings wear out faster than amalgam fillings.
7. Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening can come in a variety of forms, such as toothpaste, rinses, gels, strips, trays, and whitening products provided by your dentist. If your teeth have a yellowish tint, you may want to consider this procedure. However, you should consult your dentist first.
8. Formation of enamel
Enamel shaping is a painless procedure to improve the appearance of teeth. It is the preferred method for correcting minor imperfections such as uneven gaps between teeth or teeth that are too close together. This procedure can be combined with other methods such as whitening, veneers or bonding.
9. Crowns
Crowns are used by cosmetic dentists to change the size, shape, and strength of a tooth. They can be made of metal, ceramic, porcelain, or resin. Crowns are cemented to the teeth and last about 15 years.
10. Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. They are bonded to the front of your teeth, changing their color, length, shape, and size.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is dental cosmetics necessary?
Answer: Cosmetic dentistry is generally not considered medically necessary and is considered an elective procedure, meaning it is done to improve the appearance of teeth rather than to treat a specific medical condition. Some people may choose cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of their teeth, while others may not feel the need.
Ultimately, the decision to have cosmetic dentistry is an individual one and depends on a person’s priorities, their budget, and the specific issues they would like to address. It is important to consult with a cosmetic dentist to determine the best course of action for your specific needs and goals.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Correct Deep Bite?
Answer: An overbite is defined as the upper front teeth being positioned far in front of the lower front teeth. A cosmetic dentist can correct this problem by placing veneers. However, if the malocclusion progresses, braces and other orthodontic treatments may be needed.
Are Cosmetic Dentistry Services Worth the Cost?
Answer: The cost of aesthetic treatment is often high. Generally, dental clinics calculate the price per tooth or per section of the oral cavity. Despite this, you can get this treatment, which is not usually covered by health insurance, at very affordable prices.
Does Health Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry Services?
Answer: Insurance companies will not pay for your treatment unless it is medically necessary. Although cosmetic dentistry is primarily used to improve appearance, it can also sometimes affect functionality. Therefore, insurance companies may cover some cosmetic procedures.
For example, a gum graft procedure may be covered by your insurance because it is both aesthetic and necessary to protect the roots of your teeth. However, the following treatments are usually not covered by health insurance.
- Teeth whitening;
- Correction of displacements or gaps between teeth;
- Veneers, unless medically required.
Who can use dental cosmetics?
Answer: Cosmetic dentistry can be performed on anyone who is interested in improving the appearance of their teeth. This includes people with discolored, crooked, or missing teeth, as well as those who want to straighten, whiten, or reshape their teeth.
It is important to note that cosmetic dentistry is usually an elective procedure, meaning it is not medically necessary but is performed to improve the appearance of the teeth. Some cosmetic dental procedures may be covered by insurance if they are deemed medically necessary, such as repairing a chipped tooth or replacing a missing tooth.
However, most cosmetic dental procedures, such as teeth whitening or veneers, are considered elective and are not usually covered by insurance.
Is dental cosmetics a long-term process?
The length of time it takes to perform cosmetic dental procedures can vary depending on the specific procedure being performed and the individual patient. Some procedures, such as teeth whitening, can be completed in a single office visit and take only a few hours.
Other procedures, such as veneers or braces, may require multiple office visits and may take several weeks or months. The length of time it takes to perform a specific procedure depends on the complexity of the case and the individual needs of the patient. Before beginning any cosmetic dental procedure, it is important to discuss with your dentist the expected length of treatment.
Is dental cosmetics a painful process?
Answer: The level of discomfort experienced during cosmetic dental procedures can vary depending on the specific procedure being performed and the patient’s pain tolerance. Some procedures, such as teeth whitening, may cause minimal discomfort and do not require anesthesia.
Other procedures, such as veneers or braces, may be more invasive and cause more discomfort. In these cases, local anesthesia or other forms of sedation may be used to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
So, before beginning any cosmetic dental procedure, it is important to discuss any concerns you may have about discomfort with your dentist. They will be able to provide more specific information about the level of discomfort you can expect and discuss any pain relief options.
Where To Get The Best Cosmetic Dentist in Queens Village?
Answer: If you’re looking for a skilled cosmetic dentist in Queens Village, our dental clinic Aesthetic Care Dental offers expert services to enhance your smile. From teeth whitening to veneers and complete smile makeovers, we provide personalized treatments to help you achieve your desired look. Schedule a consultation with us today!