Cosmetic Dentistry—what Does It Really Mean?

By Author: ndxmart
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What is cosmetic dentistry? First of all, it is a new form of dentistry that has just recently began to crop up. The goal of regular dental work is to keep the mouth clean, prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions like cavities and gum disease. However, the goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the aesthetic qualities of one's smile and over-all mouth. Much like plastic surgery aims to help people look better, cosmetic dentistry does the same thing for people's teeth. Cosmetic dental procedures are always voluntary or elective and never necessary to cure any medical problem.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures performed today. Smoking, drinking coffee, red wine, and green tea, and eating certain foods can all cause teeth to become discolored. Poor oral hygiene can also cause teeth to lose their natural white shine. Often times a simple teeth whitening procedure can provide a real make-over for their entire face, brightening their smile and improving their entire complexion.

Cosmetic dentistry can also include using natural, white-colored fillings instead of metal ones. These ...
... fillings are constructed from a composite of materials generally including porcelain. The specific color can even be adjusted to match one's own individual tooth color, helping improve the natural appearance. Not only do these new, natural fillings look great but they are healthier as they reduce the heavy metal toxicity in one's system.

Another popular cosmetic dentistry procedure today is getting inlays and/or onlays. These are fillings that cover the cavity hole instead of merely filling them. It puts a lid on it, so to speak. With inlays and onlays, the appearance of having fillings is reduced. Another in-demand cosmetic dentistry procedure today is known as composite bondings. This procedure repairs broken and chipped teeth making them whole again. For gaps, cracks, and sometimes chips, veneers are another cosmetic dentistry option. Veneers use composite or porcelain laminate material bonded to the surface of teeth to repair the missing tooth area. There are also dental implants available if a number of gaps, cracks, or missing teeth exist. These are like prosthetic teeth that are connected directly into one's jaw.

Another cosmetic dentistry concept that is gaining momentum is the smile make-over. These make-overs require an in-depth evaluation of the appearance of one's smile. A smile make-over is different from a full-mouth reconstruction, which generally involves non-elective procedures like correcting one's over- or under-bite. Smile make-overs frequently involve work on both the upper and lower jawlines. Often during smile make-overs (and other cosmetic dentistry procedures) people discover that they may need traditional dental work done in addition to their cosmetic procedures.

For more information on cosmetic dentistry procedures offered by Midtown Dentistry, click here.