Aesthetic Dentistry- Dentistry
The aesthetic dentistry market is valued at over 15 billion dollars. With such a strong emphasis on achieving an impeccable smile, aesthetic dentistry is not a luxury anymore. Rather, it has evolved into a necessity for many. So, if you are interested in perfecting your smile, here is what you need to know.
What Is Aesthetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry, often known as aesthetic dentistry, aims to improve not just the appearance of your teeth but also your gums and bite. Therefore, it is primarily utilized to enhance your smile and mouth shape, which can even extend to improving how well your teeth operate regarding the force and form of your bite. However, this form of dental work mainly focuses on improving your tooth's appearance rather than necessarily its functionality.
The primary goals of aesthetic dentistry are to enhance the shape, color, size, alignment, and position of your teeth and improve your smile. This also extends to healthy gums that can be surgically changed to improve jaw shape and make your smile less gummy. While some may contend that dental procedures alone can improve both form and function, others prefer aesthetic dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of their teeth.
What is The Difference Between General Dentistry And Aesthetic Dentistry?
A general dentist provides primary dental care. They provide restorative dentistry procedures, including crowns, dental fillings, and bridges, as well as preventive care like teeth cleanings. Most dental procedures restore not only health and function but also appearance. On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist focuses on improving your smile. They provide procedures designed to make your teeth and gums look better.
Is Aesthetic Dentistry For You?
Cosmetic dentistry may be an option if you have the following:
- Small spaces or gaps between the teeth
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Tooth staining and discoloration
- Misaligned teeth
- Misshapen teeth
You can get cosmetic dental procedures done as long as your teeth and gums are healthy. But, if you have gum disease or several cavities, your dentist will want to treat those issues first. Thereafter, you can choose the cosmetic procedures you want to explore.
Types Of Aesthetic Dentistry
Aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry may include the following types of work done on your mouth, gums, teeth, and jaw. This may also include orthodontics (braces) and prosthodontics (dentures).
1. Addition of dental material
You can get a megawatt smile comparable to that of movie stars by asking your cosmetic dentist to add dental material to your gums or teeth. Porcelain veneers or laminates, gum grafts, crowns or caps, and bonding procedures can all be ordered specifically for your teeth and gums.
2. Removal of Dental Material
If you have a gummy smile, your gums may be repositioned to expose more teeth. The same applies if you or your dentist believe that your teeth are overly large. Gingivectomy is the term for gum removal. Enameloplasty refers to the scaling and removal of enamel. In addition, several dental offices offer bonding and tooth contouring at the same appointment.
3. Cosmetic improvements without removing or adding anything
There are aesthetic procedures available that can enhance your smile without modifying your tooth structure, gums, or other dental components. This involves laser whitening or bleaching of your teeth's enamel, gum depigmentation to get the proper gum color, and other procedures.
4. Straightening the teeth to improve the face
Your teeth should be appropriately aligned using procedures like wearing braces or retainers, sometimes known as orthodontic dentistry. This can correct an overbite, underbite, or horse-like teeth. Your face will then look better as a result of how significantly your jaw, chin, and cheeks have changed.
Procedures In Aesthetic Dentistry
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to achieve a more evenly distributed, symmetrical, and aesthetically beautiful smile. Teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding, tooth and gum contouring, etc., are examples of common cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Here is an in-depth look at the commonly performed procedures in aesthetic dentistry.
Teeth whitening
Dark-colored foods and beverages (including tea, coffee, and berries) can cause tooth stains over time. Professional teeth whitening may brighten your smile and dramatically lighten the shade of your teeth.
The procedure for teeth whitening is likely the most popular aesthetic dentistry service. To start with, your dentist will decide whether bleaching can whiten your teeth. Unfortunately, bleaching the enamel would not make it whiter because some dental discoloration is caused by a decaying tooth, problems with your dentin, or conditions with the layer beneath the enamel.
Moreover, certain processes work better than others. Although there are worries that whitening will make your teeth sensitive, newer formulations are actually fairly safe, quick, and simple to use.
Several dentists provide teeth whitening services both in-office and at home. The duration of in-office whitening is around one hour. Usually, at-home bleaching takes a few weeks.
Laser whitening is a method of dental bleaching where the teeth are treated with peroxide bleach while the gums are covered in rubber. After that, the teeth are exposed to the flash of an argon laser to accelerate the bleaching process. It functions like how sunlight can expedite the bleaching of your garments. The laser activates the peroxide's bleaching qualities, making it six times more efficient than conventional teeth whitening techniques. The result is a chemical reaction that lightens the color of the teeth.
Since tooth whitening is not appropriate for everyone, it is best to consult your regular dentist first. For example, it is recommended not to use tooth whitening on:
- Those who are allergic to peroxide and other teeth-whitening substances
- Those who have sensitive teeth
- People suffering from periodontal disease, cavities, or tooth decay
- People who are younger than 16 and who have fillings, dental bridges, crowns, or implants
- Those who are lactating or pregnant
Moreover, only naturally occurring teeth can be whitened. As a result, you might not be able to get veneers, crowns, or implants whitened. In addition, it is possible that previously whitened teeth would not be suitable for another whitening procedure.
Dental Bonding
During dental bonding, a composite resin that is tooth-colored is applied to the teeth's surface. Your dentist uses this substance to hide craze lines (hairline cracks), discoloration, cracks, and other cosmetic flaws. In addition, a tooth's shape can be altered via dental bonding to make it wider, longer, or more uniform.
It can be used as a filling, tooth cement, and a bonding agent when creating veneers. The resin can adhere to the tooth's surface like plaster and can be molded, cured, and polished like cement afterward.
Dental bonding typically needs to be replaced every five to seven years. And, because natural tooth enamel is not removed, the process is entirely reversible.
Veneers
Dental veneers gained popularity due to their prominent use by celebrities. During this cosmetic dentistry process, your tooth's enamel will be filed down, and an impression will be made. The front of each tooth is then bonded with thin, custom-made pieces of ceramic or porcelain.
There are two types of veneers: resin-based composite and porcelain.
Porcelain veneers are thin but strong caps that your dentist can place on the sides and the top of your teeth. Before placing them, the dentist will remove some tooth enamel to attach them. Although porcelain veneers are the same color as natural teeth, they can be made whiter to enhance your smile.
Composite veneers made of resin are comparable to porcelain veneers. However, they cost less and need less enamel removal. Sometimes, a dentist can place the composite veneer without removing any enamel.
While porcelain veneer is more expensive and will not stain, resin-based composite is cheaper and may stain over time. A person's budget, preferences, and needs will determine the kind of veneer they get. They can consult a dentist to determine the best type of dental veneer.
Gum contouring
Gum lifts or gum contouring are medical procedures that can help people who have extra gum tissue from birth. Your smile may appear "gummy" or out of proportion when this occurs. Your dentist will realign your gum line and trim any extra gum tissue during gum contouring to give it a more balanced, symmetrical appearance.
Tooth contouring
Scanty amounts of enamel are removed during this process to change the shape of your teeth. However, since you only have a limited amount of natural enamel, your dentist can only remove so much tooth structure. Your dentist can contour your teeth in only one office visit.
Implants
Dentures can be attached or embedded in your mouth using implants, which act as artificial tooth roots or anchors to help them function like natural teeth. Because the implant is typically inserted directly into the jawbone, it is a preferable way of replacing teeth.
Bite Reclamation
With the help of this cosmetic dentistry procedure, you can regain or correct your bite. It is only prescribed to people whose teeth have changed in a vertical dimension due to acid reflux or years of persistent clenching or grinding (also known as bruxism). They require bite reclamation to open their mouth and jaw because their smile and face are shorter or closed. It is best to rely on a skilled expert in this field to perform the surgery.
Orthodontics
Finally, there are orthodontic procedures. Given that braces are so popular in high schools all over America, most people are probably familiar with this type of cosmetic dentistry. However, it is not just children who need braces.
Braces can close gaps between teeth and correct crooked teeth. But braces are not your sole option anymore, thanks to modern technology.
Consider Invisalign if you dislike the appearance of braces but still want flawless teeth. Invisalign uses personalized aligners to change the alignment of your teeth progressively. There is no permanent hardware installation necessary for this method.
Simply take out your Invisalign before eating to avoid food particles getting caught in your teeth. Since Invisalign is transparent, no one will even know you have them on.
The Pros And Cons Of Aesthetic Dentistry
In addition to enhancing your smile and overall look, cosmetic dentistry also boosts your self-confidence. When you are no longer self-conscious about your teeth, you can smile with greater joy, laugh louder, and enjoy being among family and friends without worrying about your appearance. It remains necessary to schedule routine dental cleanings and exams even if you receive aesthetic dentistry treatment.
Aesthetic dentistry services can:
- Brighten dull, discolored, and stained teeth
- Enhance your smile
- Enhance the shape of your teeth
- Cover up cracks and chips
- Make your smile symmetrical and in perfect balance
However, there are a few limitations to aesthetic dentistry.
Insurance typically does not cover the costs of cosmetic dentistry. This is because insurance companies do not view cosmetic procedures as crucial or vital in terms of health.
You will also need to be committed to maintaining your smile. For instance, specific cosmetic procedures, like porcelain veneers, must be replaced every few years.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
It depends on the kind of cosmetic procedure being performed and the number of teeth that require care. For instance, a person with dental bonding on just one tooth can quickly return to their regular routine. While recovering from gum contouring can require a day or two off work. Your dentist can explain what sort of recovery time you should expect from your aesthetic dentistry procedure.
Can Restorative Dental Procedures Also Offer Aesthetic Benefits?
The procedures outlined above are solely aesthetic in nature. But restorative dentistry procedures that fix teeth occasionally can help your smile seem better as well. For instance, if you have a dental crown placed on a cracked tooth, your smile will look better in addition to being healthier and more functional.
Dental braces work similarly by enhancing your bite and general oral health. Nonetheless, braces also significantly enhance the appearance of your smile.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?
Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss cosmetic dentistry options if you feel self-conscious or embarrassed about your smile because of chipped, cracked, crooked, or discolored teeth. There are various techniques to improve your smile. Your dentist can discuss your cosmetic goals with you and recommend a suitable treatment plan.
You should continue visiting your general dentist for regular care, such as cleanings and checkups, in the meantime. In addition, practice good dental and oral hygiene at home to maintain healthy teeth and gums between appointments.
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