Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of your smile, mouth, and teeth. Unlike general dentistry, which focuses on dental health and function, cosmetic dentistry primarily aims to improve aesthetics, but it often offers both functional and health benefits.
Why do people choose cosmetic dentistry?
People seek cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons, including:
Improved self-confidence: A beautiful smile boosts self-esteem and positively impacts social and professional interactions.
Corrected imperfections: Addresses problems such as discolored, cracked, gapped, or irregular teeth.
Restored natural appearance: After tooth loss or damage, cosmetic dentistry aims to restore a natural appearance.
Impact on overall health: Some cosmetic procedures may improve chewing function or ease of cleaning, thus promoting overall oral health.
The most common cosmetic dentistry procedures:
There are several procedures that a cosmetic dentist can offer, including:
Teeth whitening: To lighten the color of teeth discolored by food, drink, smoking, or aging.
Dental veneers: Thin shells, often made of porcelain or composite resin, are custom-designed and bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve their shape, color, and size.
Composite fillings: Used to repair cavities or replace old metal fillings with tooth-colored materials, making them invisible.
Dental crowns: Used to completely cover a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. They can be entirely cosmetic (such as porcelain) or contain metal.
Dental bridges: Used to replace one or more missing teeth by bonding crowns to adjacent teeth.
Dental Implants: A permanent solution to replace missing teeth. A metal implant is implanted in the jawbone and a crown is attached to it. It is considered one of the most important procedures that combines function and aesthetics.
Clear Aligners/Invisalign: An alternative to traditional braces, these clear, removable trays are used to gradually correct the alignment of teeth.
Gum Contouring: A simple procedure to correct excessive or asymmetrical gums to create a more symmetrical smile.
