What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
If — for any reason — you’re not satisfied with your smile, a cosmetic dentist can help.
While much of dentistry focuses on your oral health, cosmetic dentists are mainly concerned with the appearance of your smile, which they can address with any of the following procedures:
- Teeth whitening
- Dental veneers
- Dental crowns
- Dental bonding
- Dental bridges
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Inlays/Onlays
- Gum reshaping
- Full mouth rejuvenation
Thanks to its many advances, cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular with each growing year. In just several years, the cosmetic dentistry market is projected to reach $28 billion. This shows that more people than ever are paying attention to how their smile looks and making worthwhile investments in their appearance.
Who Should See a Cosmetic Dentist?
If you’re not satisfied with your smile for any reason, then you should see a cosmetic dentist to see how they can help. In addition, if you have any of the following concerns, then seeing a dentist won’t only improve the appearance of your teeth but their health, as well.
Some common reasons to see a cosmetic dentist include:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Tooth discoloration
- Missing teeth
Those who experience the above dental concerns are more likely to experience self-esteem issues and avoid social interactions as a result. However, restoring dental health and appearance can make someone more likely to smile, becoming more confident and outgoing as a result. For this reason, seeing a cosmetic dentist can be truly life-changing.
What Are Some Popular Cosmetic Dentist Procedures?
So, what can a cosmetic dentist do?
Here are just some of the most popular procedures to consider:
1. Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening (or “bleaching”) is a very common cosmetic procedure. Discoloration is common with age, as well as certain lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking wine, and poor oral hygiene.
A professional whitening procedure lifts stains off the teeth, leading to a smile that’s several shades brighter. For best results, teeth whitening is performed once per day.
Although professional teeth whitening can be expensive, Flossy can connect you with a skilled dental professional to get a major discount on your first teeth whitening procedure.
2. Dental Veneers
Veneers — which are typically made from porcelain — are placed on top of the teeth. They can mask teeth that are stained, cracked, chipped, or damaged in any other way.
During this procedure, a dentist will custom-design veneers that look and function like your natural teeth (but better). They will then bond the veneers to your teeth so that they don’t move. Veneers, especially those from durable materials like porcelain, can last for decades before they need to get replaced.
3. Dental Crowns
Because dental veneers don’t cover the entire tooth, not everyone is a candidate for them. In such cases, dental crowns can offer a solid alternative.
Dental crowns look and function like your natural teeth. They are placed over a damaged tooth to cover it entirely.
A dental crown can be applied for many reasons, which may include:
- Covering a fractured tooth
- Protecting a weak tooth
- Covering a dental implant
- Restoring a tooth following a root canal
If cared for properly, a dental crown can last up to 20 years.
4. Cosmetic Bonding
Dental bonding is often less expensive than veneers or crowns, which makes it the preferred option for many patients.
Cosmetic bonding works by covering the teeth with a material that mimics the color and texture of natural teeth. The material is then shaped to achieve your desired appearance.
Cosmetic dental bonding is an excellent way to close spaces between teeth, repair chips and cracks, correct discoloration, and restore decayed teeth.
5. Dental Bridges
Dental bridges can literally “bridge” the gap left by missing teeth. A dental bridge is made up of several teeth, which are made to be a replica of your natural teeth. In addition to restoring your smile’s appearance, a dental bridge can also give you greater alignment in your bite — so your teeth can function as normal.
6. Inlays & Onlays
In some cases, patients may have tooth damage that needs to get fixed. However, a crown will remove a large portion of the tooth, which may not be necessary. In this case, inlays and onlays can be used as an alternative.
Both inlays and onlays come in a tooth-colored material to most closely match the natural appearance of your tooth.
7. Tooth-Colored Fillings
Also known as composite fillings, tooth-colored fillings are a major improvement over past mercury fillings.
If you have cavities that need to get filled in, a cosmetic surgeon will first remove the decay. Then, they’ll fill in the missing part with a material that’s virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
8. Laser Gum Reshaping
Some people have a smile that causes them to reveal a large portion of their gums. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it can be a problem if it makes you self-conscious. Laser gum reshaping is an advanced technique to change the contour of the gums. This way, you can get a smile that you love to show off.
9. Braces
Braces are an excellent way to correct any dental concerns, such as bite misalignment. However, even if everything works well, you may feel self-conscious about some parts of your appearance, such as gaps between the teeth. In this case, braces can help to shift your teeth back into place.
If you’re not a fan of chunky metal braces, you have many aesthetically-pleasing options to consider. Ceramic braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners are all excellent options to improve your smile without feeling self-conscious.
10. Full Smile Makeover
Some patients have one major dental concern to address, such as discoloration, significant gaps between teeth, or a chipped tooth. However, others may have a variety of issues that they wish to address.
In such cases, a cosmetic dentist can perform a full smile makeover, which is a combination of methods. Using advanced technology, Flossy’s dentists can simultaneously improve a number of dental conditions, giving you a dramatically improved smile after just several visits.
When considering a new smile for you, Flossy’s dentists will take into account your facial structure, gum tissue, and lip line. This will allow you to come out with a beautiful, natural-looking smile that fits you perfectly.
Getting a Beautiful Smile With Flossy
If you have any concerns with your smile, you may feel self-conscious, experience lower self-esteem, and avoid social interactions. Fortunately, with cosmetic dentistry, you can make the improvements you need for a smile that you love to show off.
A cosmetic dentist can correct a variety of concerns, which includes teeth that are discolored, cracked, chipped, or crooked. A cosmetic dentist can even change the shape of your gums.
For those with multiple concerns, a cosmetic dentist can even do a full smile makeover for a dramatically improved smile.
If you’re looking for cosmetic dentist services in Santa Fe, NM, Flossy can connect you with a low-cost dental professional. Use our convenient app to make your first appointment today.
Sources:
Global Cosmetic Dentistry Market Size Report, 2021-2028 | Grand View Research
Psychological and Social Effects of Oral Health and Dental Aesthetic in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: An Observational Study | PMC
Smoking and tooth discolouration: findings from a national cross-sectional study | PMC
(PDF) The longevity of restorations - a literature review | Researchgate
