What is a Cosmetic Dentist?
Missing teeth, crooked teeth, or other visible teeth issues often leave the sufferer with a sense of insecurity, especially in public spaces where others can easily notice their teeth’ imperfections. While some may not mind, others look for ways to improve the appearance of their teeth. If you belong to the latter category, a cosmetic dentist can help you fix your tooth problems. Cosmetic dentists offer a variety of procedures to help you overcome your teeth insecurity and become confident again. So, before it’s too late, you can make plans to visit a Lafayette, IN dentist.
In case you are still not sure of what a cosmetic dentist can do for you, then keep reading to learn more about them and how they operate.
Who is a Cosmetic Dentist?
Cosmetic dentists are medical professionals that focus on providing oral care to improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. Any dental work that focuses on improving your dental aesthetics, either the shape, size, alignment, color, position, etc, is generally classified under cosmetic dentistry.
Although many people may opt for cosmetic dental procedures, it is important to know that they are mainly elective procedures. That means they are purely aesthetical and not essential, although some procedures can be essential since they provide restorative benefits.
Is There a Difference Between Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry?
Medically, a general dentist provides primary dental care to help maintain your oral health. They can provide services such as teeth cleaning, which helps to keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth problems such as tooth decay. In a situation where a person has developed tooth decay, they can also remove the decayed tooth to prevent it from affecting healthy ones. They can also provide restorative treatments such as dental crowns, bridges, and fillings.
On the other hand, cosmetic dentists are more concerned with the beauty aspect of your teeth, and they offer services that help you to improve how your teeth look.
How do I Know if I Need a Cosmetic Dental Procedure
There are several reasons why you may need a cosmetic dental procedure. Tooth problems such as tooth decay or cracked teeth can cause major discomforts for many people, such as extreme pain in the mouth, and may also cause difficulties in eating. Discolored, misaligned, or crooked teeth can cause embarrassment to some people and affect their ability to smile. If you suffer from any of these, then you should consider cosmetic dental procedures.
According to the American Dental Association, about 33% of young people have problems smiling due to the condition of their teeth, while about 23% of adults refrain from participating in social activities because they are embarrassed about their smiles. So you are not alone and shouldn’t be shy to get help.
Some Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Teeth Whitening
This is the most common cosmetic dental procedure. It simply involves making the teeth appear brighter or whiter. To carry out this procedure, your dentist would first remove any plaques, tartar, and other particles from your tooth’s surface before bleaching the teeth to create a whiter appearance.
This procedure is particularly helpful for people with stained or discolored teeth either due to smoking habits or from food, drinks, medication, and lack of proper care for the teeth.
Composite Bonding
This process involves using a material that is similar to the natural color of the teeth to repair damaged, discolored, or decayed teeth. The dentist would remove the decaying part of the teeth before applying the composite to the tooth’s surface, after which they would sculpt the teeth into the right shape and then cure it with high-intensity light.
This process basically covers the damaged tooth and makes it look healthy. It is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures and can be used for people who have chipped or cracked teeth and tooth decay.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are considered teeth substitutes. They are thin, white materials that are made from medical-grade ceramic, porcelain, or resin. They can be customized to take on the appearance of the patient’s teeth.
When attaching dental veneers, the dentist would first remove some enamel from the patient’s tooth surface; this would allow the veneer to bond perfectly to the front of the teeth. Dental veneers can be used for a number of dental issues, including gaps between the teeth, crooked teeth, and damaged teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, are used to cover decayed or damaged teeth. The crowns can prevent the weakened tooth from breaking. It can also be used to cover misshapen or extremely discolored teeth. Also, they can be used to cover other dental procedures like enamel fillings, dental impants, root canals, and dental bridges.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are indirect dental fillings. They are usually used when a tooth is too decayed to support the typical filing. Inlays and onlays can be created in a dental laboratory and bonded in a place like normal dental fillings.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry provides many benefits, which are encompassed in the points below.
It Enhances Your Appearance
Regardless of your teeth problems, there are available cosmetic dental procedures that can help you fix them. In extension, it can lead to healthier, heartfelt, lively, and youthful smiles and expressions.
It Optimizes Your Oral Health
While some tooth concerns are purely cosmetic concerns, others, such as severely curved or misshapen teeth, are not and can badly affect your oral health. Some teeth problems may lead to other teeth problems and further affect your oral health and general well-being. With cosmetic dental procedures, you can also achieve healthy teeth and gums
It Improves Self-Confidence
When you notice your teeth look unattractive compared to your friends, you become more self-conscious and may tend to conceal them, especially when you’re in their company. Your newfound lack of self-confidence and insecurity can greatly affect your social life and your personality in general. However, cosmetic dental procedures can give you a way out of your insecurities.
An attractive smile makes even the toughest heart melt, and self-confidence is perhaps one of the healthiest personality traits. If the appearance of your teeth gets in the way of these traits, consider visiting a cosmetic dentist. You can find one here; https://alluredental.com/.
Name, Address and Phone
Allure Dental,
821 Twyckenham Blvd,
Lafayette IN 47909,
(765) 477-0331
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