Cosmetic Dentistry 101; What is it, why is It Done and Types of Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry restores, preserves, and enhances the appearance of teeth, and it includes whitening, filling, veneers, crowns, dental implants, or bridges.

The smile is an important social signal that is used to convey emotions. It can help increase trust, sympathy, and rapport.

It is not only an accessory but also the first thing people notice about you. A good-looking smile conveys positive emotion that makes other people feel friendly towards you.

A beautiful smile can improve your mood, help you fight depression and stress, increase your attractiveness, and give you confidence.

However, when you have crooked, stained, cracked, and chipped teeth, it affects your smile and confidence. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry in Spring, TX, can help correct these problems.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a practice that enhances the natural appearance of teeth.

The cosmetic dental procedures are more than that–they are an art that helps patients feel better about themselves and regain control over their emotions and feelings.

The common cosmetic procedures that you can use include teeth whitening, tooth bonding, crowns, and dental veneers. These procedures can help patients restore confidence and improve their appearance.

Who is a Cosmetic Dentist?

A cosmetic dentist specializes in the cosmetic and reconstructive aspects of dentistry. They may offer only cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening or gum contouring, or they may also provide general dental care and extractions in addition to their surgical specialty.

Cosmetic dentists work in different settings: dental offices, hospitals, medical spas, and clinics.

General Vs. Cosmetic Dentist; What is the Difference Between Them

Both general and cosmetic dentists get the same dental training. They can provide cosmetic procedures like veneers, crowns, and whitening, among others.

A general dentist caters to the whole family, while a cosmetic one focuses on the aesthetics of the teeth. They also offer treatments, such as Botox injections, fillers, and laser hair removal.

What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Getting cosmetic dentistry near you provides several benefits, such as:

• Smoothing out wrinkles on the skin by improving facial contours and reducing facial lines and wrinkles
• Improving oral hygiene by preventing cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, halitosis
• Preventing gum disease by promoting gum health

What Are the Most Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures?

Many cosmetic dental treatments are available that can improve the appearance of your teeth, and they include:

• Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the process of changing the color of teeth by using a dental bleaching agent. It is also referred to as tooth bleach, tooth brightening, and teeth bleaching.

Tooth whiteners work by breaking down stains on the surface of enamel and dentin. The most recommended whitening option is professional teeth whitening procedure.

You can whiten your teeth at home, but it’s not recommended to use tooth whitening strips or other at-home whitening products without consulting the dentist. This is because they can cause significant side effects and may not give you the desired results.

• Dental Veneers and Crows

Dental veneers are thin, porcelain, or composite shells that cover the front of a tooth to fix chipped, stained, or deteriorated ones.

Crowns are metallic or ceramic caps placed on top of the tooth to cover exposed root surfaces.

Veneers cover the front of a tooth, and crowns encase the entire tooth. However, they are used to correct almost similar dental problems like chips, cracks, and discoloration.

• Dental implants and bridges

Dental implants are artificial roots that help make single or multiple teeth root-like structures in the jawbone without affecting surrounding teeth.

A dental bridge is a permanent replacement for missing or damaged teeth, and it is fixed using several crowns attached to teeth.

• Dental bonding

Dental bonding is the process of bonding the tooth structure with an artificial material that is used to enhance cosmetic appearance. It uses a resin material to correct or repair cracked, chipped, broken, discolored, and gaps between the teeth.

• Dental fillings

Dental fillings are tooth-colored, plastic, or composite resin materials applied to the chewing surfaces to strengthen and cover the decay and the holes left by the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit The Smile Designer of Spring for more information about cosmetic dentistry procedures.