There are many reasons to visit the dentist, from regular routine checkups and cleanings to discussing options for completely rebuilding your smile. For many people, the goal of their dental visits is to improve their confidence and quality of life by enhancing the appearance of their smiles. To that end, cosmetic dentistry offers a wealth of choices for improving smiles by changing the size, shape, color, and appearance of teeth, or for straightening their alignment if your teeth are crooked.
The Esthetic Aspects of a Smile
General and restorative dental treatments typically focus on preventing dental health issues from forming, or on repairing teeth from the effects of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and more. The point is to maintain the health, strength, and functionality of your teeth and oral structures.
By contrast, cosmetic dentistry focuses solely on the outward appearance of your smile. If your teeth are stained, lightly chipped, slightly out of alignment, or exhibit other esthetic issues, then we can devise a custom cosmetic dental treatment to restore their beauty. Though cosmetic treatments focus on esthetics, improving your smile’s appearance can also benefit your bite’s symmetry and function. For instance, straightening crooked teeth or correcting chipped or worn edges can make it easier to clean away harmful plaque and tartar.
What Cosmetic Dentistry Includes
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are designed to address certain types of cosmetic issues depending on your specific needs, such as;
- Teeth-whitening to erase teeth stains and brighten your teeth’s underlying structures
- Bonding and contouring to resize and reshape teeth with minimal alterations to their structures
- Porcelain veneers to correct several issues at once and give new life to your smile.
- Invisalign® clear braces to straighten crooked teeth without the inconvenience of metal braces.
During an initial cosmetic consultation, your dentist will consult with you to determine the best treatment or treatments to improve your smile.