What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry (aesthetic dentistry) focuses on improving the appearance of your smile.
You might choose to see a cosmetic dentist if you have:
- Chipped or cracked teeth.
- Gaps or spaces between your teeth.
- Malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
- Misshapen teeth.
- Tooth discoloration and staining.
What are examples of cosmetic dentistry?
Teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening can dramatically and safely lighten the shade of your teeth.
Dental bonding. Dental bonding can change the shape of a tooth to make it longer, wider or more uniform.
Veneers. Made of medical-grade ceramic, porcelain veneers are thin, strong shells that adhere to the front surfaces of your teeth.
Tooth contouring. This procedure removes small amounts of tooth enamel to change the shape of your teeth.
Gum contouring. Excess gum tissue can make your smile appear “gummy” or uneven. During gum contouring surgery, your dentist removes excess gum tissue and reshapes your gum line for a more symmetrical, balanced appearance.
7 Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Also called “teeth bleaching,” teeth whitening treatments can be done in your dentist’s office or at home using whitening products.
Toothpaste: Teeth whitening toothpaste is also available, however, these products contain abrasive materials that help remove surface stains.
Cosmetic Dental Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. Veneers are custom made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. They can be used to treat dental conditions such as a slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, or chipped teeth.
Porcelain veneers
Dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it to a dental laboratory, where the veneers will be custom-fit to the impression. At the next visit, your dentist will clean your teeth and bond the veneers to them with dental cement.
Resin-based composite veneers
The teeth are first cleaned and prepared, then the dentist applies a composite material that matches the color of your other teeth. The material is hardened with light and polished so it looks the same as your other teeth.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
A dental implant is a metal device used to permanently replace a missing tooth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically implanted into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor artificial teeth such as a bridge or dentures.
Cosmetic Dental Crowns
Crowns, also called caps, are custom-made to fit over your whole tooth. They are usually made out of acrylic or porcelain that has been fused to metal to withstand biting pressure. Crowns can be used in cosmetic dentistry to treat teeth that are poorly shaped, badly decayed, broken, chipped, or have had large fillings. They can also be used to cover spaces in between teeth.
Cosmetic Tooth Contouring
Also known as tooth shaping or “enamel shaping,” cosmetic tooth contouring can be done to correct small problems like chipping. It can also fix teeth that are slightly overlapping. The dentist reshapes the tooth by filing or removing some of the enamel. After shaping the tooth, the dentist will polish it to smooth out any rough or uneven spots and to give it a more natural appearance.9 This process is usually not painful and produces immediate results.
Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontists can help straighten teeth and correct a bad bite. They see adults as well as children. Orthodontists use aligners like Invisalign or braces to move your teeth into the correct position over time. A retainer may be required temporarily after the initial treatment to help keep your teeth in place
