Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily functionality) of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance.
Cosmetic dentistry can help you improve your smile by making your teeth whiter, reshaping teeth that don’t match the others, closing gaps between teeth, filling cavities with tooth-colored materials, repairing chips and rough spots with fillings that match and even covering broken teeth with porcelain crowns.
There are two dental specialties that predominantly focus on dental aesthetics: Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. It can also include periodontics (the plastic surgeon of dentistry).
What does cosmetic dentistry involve?
Typically, cosmetic dentistry involves:
- The addition of a dental material to teeth or gums – bonding, porcelain veneers (laminates), crowns (caps), gum grafts.
- The removal of tooth structure or gums – enameloplasty, gingivectomy.
- Neither adding or removing dental materials, tooth structure or gums – teeth whitening (bleaching), laser whitening, gum depigmentation.
- Straightening of teeth accompanied by improvement in appearance of face – orthodontics.
Cosmetic dentistry usually follows along the lines of symmetry and harmony. Certainly brightening teeth is something most people desire, removing stains (coffee, cigarettes). Everyone would like to be proud of their smile and show it off, but most do not because of gaps in their teeth, yellow teeth, uneven gums, missing teeth, etc. Cosmetic dentistry could be used to fix these issues.
Most cosmetic procedures are elective rather than essential although some cases of treatment provide restorative benefits. Insurance will usually pay for procedures that are medically necessary. Elective cases are usually not reimbursable. The most common procedures used in cosmetic dentistry are fairly simple. However, certain procedures require more complex and specialized care.