What Are Some Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

UPDATED 1/15/21

Self-confidence matters in today’s competitive society. Being burdened with a negative body image can affect all aspects of one’s life. Social interactions and job performance can suffer from a poor self esteem, and these problems can be compounded over time. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to boost one’s sense of self, both psychologically and physically.

Cosmetic procedures aren’t for everyone, but those who suffer from a severely negative body image due to genes, accidents, or other causes, might find solace in physical modifications.

What’s in a Smile?

Smiles are important. This isn’t just a hollow statement, it’s agreed upon by nearly all Americans (99.7%, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) that smiles are social assets. A smile can mean so many things. It can indicate friendship and romantic feelings, suggest happiness and pride, and show confidence to another person. A healthy smile can go a long way, too, as 75% of people think that an unappealing smile could result in employment difficulties and other career problems.

Maybe all of this dental drama is exaggerated. Even if that’s the case, there’s no denying that having good-looking teeth matters to most people. About 80% of U.S. teenagers currently have braces or are undergoing orthodontic treatment, and more and more adults are getting braces each year. Additionally, over the past five years teeth whitening operations have increased by more than 300%. And as dental technologies advance, more patients are seeking cosmetic dentists to improve or repair their smiles. But what exactly is cosmetic dentistry and where can one find a cosmetic dentist?

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry, as it sounds, is dentistry that focuses more on one’s desired appearance than one’s dental health. In other words, a cosmetic dental procedure differs from a standard professional dental cleaning and checkup. The latter deals with maintaining a clean and healthy mouth while the former concerns one’s self-confidence and body image. Studies have shown, however, that a higher confidence level does result in better overall health, so cosmetic dental procedures are health-related in this way. Some cosmetic dental procedures include dental implants, veneers, crowns, bonding, and whitening.

How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist

The Internet has made finding good, reliable doctors easier than ever. In the past, one had to rely almost solely on referrals from trusted friends and family. While this method of choosing the right healthcare provider still stands, online reviews can be a big help as well.

Beyond reviews from previous patients, one can also typically find plenty of pictures and perhaps even video documentation of the work done by a cosmetic dentist. This is because doctors who deal with body image enhancement gain more business from showing off their successful work, so it’s usually not hard to find examples of a cosmetic dentist’s prior procedures.

Of course, cost also goes into the process of how to find a cosmetic dentist. Since one’s dental health isn’t actually involved in many cosmetic dental procedures, these operations typically aren’t covered by health insurance plans, at least not fully. However, if a procedure does stand to benefit one’s oral health, some of it may be eligible for insurance coverage. Determining the necessity and nature of the operation is key before choosing a cosmetic dentist. From there, cost can more easily be determined.

Feeling good about your image can benefit all aspects of your life. Professional cosmetic dentists and doctors can help those who suffer from negative body image live a happier, healthier life.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic dentistry focuses more on looks than on health. However, this isn’t a bad thing. Improving your looks can improve your self-esteem, which can make your life much better. One popular form of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. And while this can be done in the dentist’s office, it can also be done at home using prescription or over the counter teeth whiteners. An at home teeth stain remover is a great way to conveniently remove the stains left by regular coffee or tea consumption. While these can be minor stains, removing them can boost your confidence in your smile. At home teeth whitening strips or an automatic teeth whitener are another way to brighten your smile a little more. If you have a good smile, you’re likely to be attractive to people, which is important in social settings.

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry, but don’t want to deal with the dentist’s office, at home products are the way to go. So look into the best effective teeth whitening products available, then give them a try!