Like all specialisations of dentistry, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the maintenance and restoration of good health of the teeth and gums both in appearance and in fact. But there are also differences between cosmetic dentistry and other specialisations – the enhancement of the teeth’s appearance may or may not necessarily result in the improvement of their functions.
Examples of Improvements
Let’s take a few examples to highlight these similarities and differences between cosmetic dentistry on one hand and general dentistry and its other specialisations on the other hand.
- Improvement in both form and function
Crowns, bonds, and implants usually improve both the appearance (i.e., form) and function of teeth in different ways. Crowns are ideal for the restoration of damaged front teeth; bondings are used in the removal of the tooth’s decayed part or in filling in its cracks, thus, enhancing its appearance while also preventing its cracking for better function; and implants completely replace extracted teeth for better overall dental health. No wonder then that these are the most popular procedures in a cosmetic dental clinic – reasonable in price yet providing for plenty of benefits.
- Improvement in form but not necessarily in function
Teeth whitening is the best example, not to mention the most sought-after service, in cosmetic dentistry for good reasons. It whitens teeth by 1 to 14 degrees within a single to several in-clinic sessions depending on the teeth’s condition, thus, boosting the patient’s confidence in his ability to face others with a whiter set of teeth. The whiter teeth’s function, however, may not improve with the procedure such as in the case of an underbite or overbite.
Also, Read: How Does Teeth Whitening Work
Be sure to discuss your options with the staff of the cosmetic dental clinic especially with the cosmetic dentist to enjoy the best results from your chosen procedures.
Choices in Procedure
While cosmetic dentistry may be a relatively new , its practitioners have benefited from modern tools, techniques, and technologies. Indeed, the wide range of services offered by a reliable and reputable cosmetic dental clinic like Healthy Smiles will make teeth-conscious persons happy with their choices.
Of course, cosmetic dentistry is not about performing all of the procedures on each patient for obvious reasons. Each patient will be assessed based on his dental health needs and wants before one or two of the following procedures can be performed:
- Teeth whitening involves the use of a bleaching agent and a device (e.g., laser) to whiten teeth by several degrees, which explains their popularity in cosmetic dentistry.
- Porcelain crowns are natural-looking dental crowns usually used in the restoration of the form and function of the front teeth.
- Bondings and white fillings are designed for the cosmetic enhancement of teeth including the removal of decay as well as in filling in of cracks and gaps, which also enhances their function by preventing the teeth from prematurely cracking.
- Implants are perhaps the latest services in cosmetic dentistry because of the advanced technology involved in the procedure. Instead of removable dentures, the artificial teeth are embedded in the bone (i.e., jaw) to replace missing teeth.
- Cerec is also a relatively new service in cosmetic dentistry. Basically, this is a ceramic dental restoration that can be performed in just a single visit with less of the injections, drillings, and time involved in traditional ceramic crowns, inlays, and veneers installation.
While the abovementioned cosmetic dentistry services can be performed by just about any cosmetic dentist, it is important to choose cosmetic dentists with whom excellent results are a commitment, a guarantee, and a must. Be sure to do your homework, too, in your desired cosmetic dentistry service to assess its benefits and risks. Keep in mind that an informed consumer is a wiser consumer – and it will work to your benefit, too!
This article was first published on: https://www.slideshare.net/HenryPatterson/how-does-cosmetic-dentistry-work
Healthy Smiles Dental Group 