The Art of Cosmetic Dentistry

When you think of the dentist, what do you think of? Many of us think of drills, picks, and x-ray machines in our mouths. Unfortunately, this is the side of dentistry that many people see and know about. There is a whole other side to dentistry that most of us have not yet discovered, yet it could help us all a great deal. This side is called cosmetic dentistry, and it is something that we have all heard about, but maybe never really understood.

What is a Cosmetic Dentist?
When we go in to have our teeth cleaned or cavity filled, we often do not really think about who is doing all of the work. Many people are unaware that there are several different types of dentists. A cosmetic dentist is one who actively works on our teeth, our smile, our bite, and sometimes even our gum lines in order to improve the appearance of our teeth. They will often do just about whatever the patient wants done to their teeth as long as it will not be harmful to them. Cosmetic dentists, in doing much of this work, are also improving the utility of our teeth by making our alignment better and improving our bite.

Where do these Dentists Work?
Often times, our regular dentist is also a cosmetic dentist. Part of their training is in doing many of the procedures that only cosmetic dentists will do. For example, getting a tooth ground down so that you are able to close your mouth better is an example of this type of dentistry. If you are struggling to find one of these dentists, you can always look online to find the best dentists in the area.

What Kinds of Things do They Do?
These dentists perform all types of procedures. Many of these procedures involve only an hour appointment to complete. Tooth whitening is an example of one of these procedures, in which the dentist will bleach your teeth for a certain amount of time until they are the shade of white that you desire. Bonding, veneering, and crowing are also procedures that can be done by these dentists. Each of these procedures involves adding porcelain or other material to the existing teeth in order to change the shape or to fill in gaps in your mouth. Some other services that are provided are those that change the alignment of your teeth. Cosmetic dentists and orthodontists can put braces on your teeth, as well as other, newer, technologies like invisible braces or aligners. Some other procedures that dentists can do includes contouring, reshaping, and restructuring of the gums and teeth.

Cosmetic dentists are not to be feared by their patients. They, just like regular dentists, are there to help you feel better about yourself and improve your smile. Through the use of procedures that help you fill in gaps, change the shapes of your teeth, and improve your alignment, they can get your smile back in order in just a single one-hour appointment.