When people hear the word cosmetics, they often think of Hollywood’s dazzling smiles. However, cosmetic dentistry involves much more than improving your smile’s appearance. While many Hollywood stars use cosmetic dentistry to improve their smile’s appearance, the procedures are far more involved. Cosmetic dentistry can change a person’s appearance and restore the person’s natural tooth function, improve self-confidence, and ensure healthy smiles for years to come. Cosmetic dentistry has many uses, and below, we’ll be describing how cosmetic dentistry has impacted dentistry as a whole and how it’s commonly used to restore people’s teeth back to health.
The Truth About Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentists have a broad range of tools dedicated to improving your appearance, but cosmetic dentistry is more than just appearance deep. This type of dentistry has been around since the early 90s and 2000s with the popularity of treatments such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers. This interest in these treatments has not wavered since the demand for cosmetic dental services is expected to rise within the next several years due to the interest in facial aesthetic improvements. Many contributing factors include: are further influencing these demands
- The rise in Oral Health Disorders Across the Globe
- Increased Awareness of Dental Health
- Evolution of Less Invasive Dental Procedures
- Growth of Products, Services, and Technology
As these economic factors continue to play a part in the growth of cosmetic dentistry, many detesters of cosmetic dental procedures claim that cosmetic dentistry doesn’t serve any purpose in treating oral health. While some dental treatments offered by cosmetic dentists may not directly contribute to oral health, many dental procedures treat numerous common oral health concerns, such as tooth discoloration, crooked teeth, missing teeth, and tooth gaps, all of which harm oral health as a whole.
Any signs of dental problems can lead to worsening conditions. Misshapen teeth can lead to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease due to the higher exposure to bacteria growth along the misshapen teeth. Tooth discoloration is often the result of worn-down enamel, which can easily breed bacteria growth along the enamel surface, and missing teeth pose the worse risk, as it can lead to malocclusion, gum disease, bone loss, and more. Treating these conditions through cosmetics means that patients can experience better health and improve their appearance in the process. This creates a more well-rounded experience for patients seeking solutions for their dental concerns, and cosmetic dentists can help with this by providing procedures that work for their patients’ goals and needs.
What Cosmetic Dental Services Help Treat Oral Health
Misshapen, crooked, and discolored teeth not only have an impact on oral health but can have an impact on our behaviors and mental health. Treating these issues through a cosmetically-driven approach allows patients to care for their oral health and find balance in their lives. Many treatments offered by dentists today have both a health and aesthetic focus to them, and several dental treatment options can be used to treat these concerns. These treatments include:
- Dental Bonding: Dental bonding procedures use composite resin to restore the tooth’s shape, addressing issues such as chips, cracks, and gaps in the teeth. This resin can be matched to the patient’s natural tooth color and improve the patient’s overall appearance.
- Inlays and Onlays: Inlays and onlays are a type of restoration that’s applied when a tooth cannot be fitted with a crown or traditional filling. These restorations are used for restoring areas with small cavities within the wall of the tooth.
- Veneers: Veneers are considered a popular cosmetic treatment due to their ability to instantly transform a person’s smile. Veneers help protect the natural surface of the natural tooth and protect the enamel from bacteria and decay.
- Enamel Sculpting: Enamel sculpting is similar to dental bonding but removes excess enamel to create a more even smile. This procedure is commonly used for those with excessively mishappened teeth.
- Gingival Sculpting: Like enamel sculpting, gingival sculpting or gum contouring works to remove excess gum tissue, removing signs of a gummy smile or a small mouth. Removing excess gum tissue can be considered a healthy procedure, especially if the gums inhibit the patient’s ability to clean their teeth.
These are just some of the approaches cosmetic dentists use every day to restore beautiful smiles. If you wish to learn more about cosmetic dental treatments, schedule an appointment with your local cosmetic dentist today. When you schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist, they’ll be able to provide you with a comprehensive dental plan that involves a range of restorative, cosmetic, and preventative care measures, including crowns, gum cleanings, and even implants, to give you back your healthy smile.
