Worry not if you are dissatisfied with your smile because modern and more advanced cosmetic dentistry can help you. This kind of professional dental care provided by a cosmetic dentist is geared toward enhancing the look of your gums, teeth, mouth, and overall smile. Teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, as well as implants are some examples of the most availed common treatments.
Cosmetic dentistry is quite popular nowadays. This industry is even expected to reach $32 billion in revenue by 2026. While cosmetic treatment is not necessary, it might help you regain confidence with your smile.
What Are The Treatments or Procedures That A Cosmetic Dentist Do?
A cosmetic dentist performs several treatments, ranging from minor adjustments to invasive surgery. The following are just a few examples of the cosmetic treatments they provide:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is among the most common cosmetic dental procedures—and one of the most affordable. Teeth may get discolored over time as a result of food, beverages, medicines, or other activities such as smoking. Many individuals use teeth whitening to brighten their smiles.
After plaque, tartar, and/or other debris have been removed from the teeth, teeth whitening may be used to bleach the teeth’ surface, resulting in a brighter, whiter look. While over-the-counter items such as toothpaste, rinses, as well as white strips, may provide some minimal effects, professional teeth whitening can whiten teeth with a shade difference of up to five to eight times.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are very thin, white shells constructed of medical-grade porcelain, ceramic, or resin. They are custom-made to closely mimic the patient’s actual teeth.
Before placing the veneers, your dentist will remove some enamel from the surface of your tooth to enable the shells to bond realistically to the teeth’ front surfaces. Dental veneers may be used to correct a variety of aesthetic concerns, including misaligned teeth, tooth gaps, and damaged enamel.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown (sometimes referred to as a dental cap) is fitted over a damaged or decayed tooth. These crowns may be used to prevent a weakened tooth from breaking or to conceal malformed or badly discolored teeth aesthetically.
Moreover, they may be used to cover procedures like a root canal, enamel fillings, dental implants, or dental bridges.
Inlays and Onlays
If a tooth is severely decayed to sustain a typical filling, inlays and onlays (indirect fillings) are usually used. These filings are made inside the dental laboratory then bonded to the tooth by the cosmetic dentist.
When a substance is bonded in the middle or center of the tooth, it is referred to as an “inlay.” When a filling fills one or more areas of your tooth or the full surface of the tooth, it is referred to as an “onlay.”
This process substitutes crowning, maintaining your tooth’s natural surface while also restoring and strengthening the tooth after deterioration or decay.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are being utilized to replace teeth that have been severely decayed or have been taken out. First, the cosmetic dentist will attach a screw to the patient’s jaw. The implant is then placed into the bone socket of the lost tooth.
The bone and tissue around the implant fuse will eventually anchor the new tooth within the mouth. When the dental implant is correctly attached, it should blend in with the adjacent teeth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure in which the cosmetic dentist coats the tooth with a moldable resin and hardens it using ultraviolet light. The material is then trimmed, shaped, and polished to merge into the tooth’s surface.
Bonding is a procedure that may fix chips, malformed teeth, and tooth rot. Bonding is a more economical option for crowns or fillings for minor aesthetic concerns.
Training and Education of A Cosmetic Dentist
While cosmetic dentistry is a large market, the American Dental Association does not officially recognize it as a specialty. As a result, institutions seldom offer degree programs in this field.
However, the majority of cosmetic dentists acquire their first training in different dental school programs. Dental students get four years of training and are normally required to have a bachelor’s degree in order to enroll. The program involves training in the following areas:
• Orthodontics
• Pain management
• Cosmetic dentistry
Prospective cosmetic dentists should get a medical license upon completion of a program. They may also be accredited.
Why Do You Need To Visit A Cosmetic Dentist?
Below are some of the reasons why you would visit a cosmetic dentist:
• Tooth decay (cracks, chips, etc.)
• Crooked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Discoloration
Conclusion
If your teeth are discolored, damaged, worn, chipped, misaligned, malformed, or you have tooth gaps, modern cosmetic dentistry may be the answer to help you achieve a more attractive smile. A cosmetic dentist can work with you to create a customized treatment plan.
