Cosmetic Dentistry and the Holy Grail of the Perfect Smile
What is it that attracts you to others? If you’re like most people, you’re drawn to and captivated by a dazzling smile. People who smile big for all the world to see are happy, vibrant, and confident. Why? Because they have beautiful, healthy teeth and gums.
If your teeth are less than perfect, don’t fret — your quest for the holy grail of a fabulous smile is not over yet! Whether genetics, wear and tear, life experience, accidents, or other oral health issues have impacted your mouth, there are ways to remedy these issues. Through the power of cosmetic dentistry, you can achieve the smile of your dreams and show the world your true beauty.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
First things first. Before we proceed any further on our dental adventure, we first need to have a clear understanding of what cosmetic dentistry actually is. Cosmetic dentistry goes above and beyond the usual cleaning and inspection processes that are handled by your dental professionals during a routine, semi-annual checkup. This particular branch of dentistry zeroes in on specific dental procedures that help to improve the overall appearance of an individual’s teeth, gums, or bite. As indicated by the “cosmetic” tag, this line of dentistry puts its emphasis on the aesthetics of the dental formula as opposed to function; it’s all about making you feel confident whenever you flash your pearly whites.
Common Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
While one person may be unhappy with the color of their teeth and gums, another may feel insecure about the shape of his or her teeth. Fortunately, there are different branches of cosmetic dentistry, each of which focuses on specific problem areas. Some of the most common cosmetic dental procedures include:
Teeth Bleaching (Whitening) — This is, by far, the most popular procedure done in the cosmetic dentistry industry across the globe. Even though numerous over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available, most people feel more comfortable and confident when leaving this process to the experts — and for good reason. Using bleach throughout the whitening process is much safer and more successful when done under the supervision of a dentist.
Laser Whitening — Another option for restoring dingy teeth to their former white glory is to go the laser whitening route. Here, the whitening process is completed with the assistance of a laser machine. This offers even more precision and longer-lasting results than standard teeth whitening procedures.
Gum Depigmentation — Dark spots on the gums can be very distressing and cause feelings of insecurity. The depigmentation process restores gums to their natural, healthy pink color.
Teeth Straightening — No one feels attractive or confident when their teeth are crooked. Cosmetic dental procedures can bring your teeth back to alignment for comfort and beauty.
Tooth Reshaping — It’s fairly common for individuals to be less than satisfied with the appearance or shape of their teeth. Jagged edges, chipped teeth, excessively long teeth, and crooked teeth are all issues that can be remedied with this type of procedure.
Dental Bridges — Dental bridges give you your full smile back! These bridges are false teeth, or pontics, that are placed between crowns as a means of filling the gaps that have been left by missing teeth. It’s the simplest, fastest, and most common means of replacing missing teeth.
Addition of Dental Material — In some cases, an individual may need to have dental material(s) added to his or her smile so that it can reach its full potential. This might involve the introduction of gum grafts, crowns or caps, porcelain veneers, and/or bonding to teeth or gums.