Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a term that references the ability to improve a smile through unique dental techniques. There is no specialization in cosmetic dentistry. It is a term that refers to a group of procedures that will enhance your smile and aesthetic appeal. As almost every dental procedure impacts your smile, it is considered a cosmetic procedure. 

However, some treatments and procedures that your dentist may perform that fall under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry. A general dentist is best for those who have difficulty with their teeth or are in pain. Cosmetic dentistry is better for those who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. A general dentist receives the same training as cosmetic dentists but also additional education.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve your smile and general appearance. This work is about art and not science. Although the dental profession does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty, it takes years of training and study to become a cosmetic dentist.

Many times, general dentists can also help with cosmetic dentistry. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practice is one office where you can find cosmetic, family, and implant dentistry services. This type of dentistry can make a more significant impact on your smile and teeth. Many options help you regain or enhance your natural, beautiful smile.

What Dental Procedures Are Considered Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is often considered a procedure that must be paid out-of-pocket because most insurance companies don’t cover it. It is usually assumed that cosmetic dentistry is only done for aesthetic reasons and does not have a medical necessity.

Some procedures can be considered cosmetic, meaning that they are only done to enhance your appearance. These procedures are used to whiten or bleach your teeth.

Other procedures fall under cosmetic dentistry and can be done for more than just improving your appearance. These procedures are not cosmetic dentistry, but they can be used for restorative purposes that restore the health and function of your mouth, jaw, gums, and teeth.

A tooth that has been damaged or lost due to an accident is an example of a dental procedure that falls under either category. This tooth loss will not only leave a gap in your smile and make it less attractive, but it can also impact how your mouth works in terms of speaking, chewing, and eating.

Your oral health and the health of your underlying gums can be affected by tooth loss. Plaque and debris may build up that was not there when your tooth was placed. You risk your jawbone and gum tissue by not replacing the missing tooth. The area of your jaw that has the missing tooth can deteriorate and become weaker if it isn’t replaced. The missing tooth can cause eating and speaking problems by changing the area’s alignment.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as the dental bridge and dental implant offer more than cosmetic solutions for your mouth. Cosmetic dentists perform these procedures, but they have many benefits that go beyond making your smile look better. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practice professionals and your insurance provider should be consulted to determine if these procedures are covered.

Cosmetic Dentistry can fix broken or misshapen teeth

You can have a tooth break from doing everyday activities, an accident, or playing your favorite sport. Your enamel is made up of mineralized tissue, a hard substance. It is hard but can still break if you fall or a sharp object hits your mouth. Even hard foods can cause it to break.

If you have discovered that one or more teeth in your mouth have broken, there is no need to panic. These breaks can be fixed with cosmetic dentistry. A broken or chipped tooth can be treated in one visit to the dentist or it may require a longer treatment depending on how severe it is.

Cosmetic dentists may be able to repair a tiny bit of enamel that has been removed from a tooth. Bonding is a procedure that can be used to improve a chip or break in one of your front teeth. Bonding is a procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin to repair the damage. This ensures that your smile will not be damaged.

The dentist will use a gel or liquid to etch your tooth’s surface to make it more bondable. The adhesive material is applied to the tooth and then the appropriate colored resin to match your other teeth. The bonding material is then shaped to look like natural teeth. Finally, it’s dried using ultraviolet light to harden.

The dentist might need to remove a large portion of the tooth and cover it with a crown or tooth-shaped cap. Applying a crown or dental cap to your tooth will enhance its appearance and protect it.

A dental veneer can also be used to cover a damaged front tooth. The tooth will look whole and healthy again after this procedure. A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-colored shell of porcelain or resin material. It covers the entire front tooth and then applies a thicker section to the damaged area. Similar to bonding, your dentist will prepare the tooth’s surface so the veneer will stick. A special cement will be used to secure the veneer in place. The unique light used to activate the chemicals in cement is also used to hold the veneer in place.

Cosmetic use of Veneers

Porcelain veneers can be used for more than just fixing chipped or broken teeth. These veneers are used to whiten and straighten teeth. A porcelain veneer is made of a laminate substance. It can be applied directly to your teeth to close any gaps or whiten them. This is a great way to whiten teeth that are not susceptible to bleaching or bonding.

Dental veneers, which are thin, tooth-colored, custom made material that covers the front of your teeth, are used to enhance your appearance. The cosmetic dentist can apply these shells to your front teeth to change the shape, size, color, and length of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is often used to treat discolored, chipped, damaged, misaligned, or large gaps between teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening teeth is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. This process is much faster than buying whitening solutions at home. Cosmetic dentists will use stronger whitening solutions than what you can find in at-home kits. A combination of heat and light will be used by the dentist to speed up and intensify the whitening process.

Cosmetic dentistry can make your teeth look three to eight shades lighter. While the process can take between 30-60 minutes and two hours in the dentist’s office, some dentists do it in one hour. Professional teeth whitening may be the best choice if you need a quick fix or a complete procedure.

Cosmetic dentistry can make your smile brighter and more beautiful, even if you have daily habits that cause your teeth to dull.

After whitening your teeth, you should not consume any acidic, fatty food or beverages, such as coffee, tea, sports drinks, berries, or sauces. Your daily hygiene care should include flossing, brushing, and rinsing.

Talk with your dentist before you decide to whiten your teeth. Your teeth may become sensitive and uncomfortable temporarily after you have whitened them. This works best for yellow teeth, and not brown. This procedure is not recommended for purple or gray teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Bleaching Teeth

Your teeth are bleached with safe hydrogen peroxide or a carbamide peroxide. These chemicals penetrate the enamel and remove stains.

There are two options for bleaching: in-practice or take home. In-practice bleaching uses a stronger bleaching agent in combination with an accelerator light. In one session, your teeth can be whitened. Although fast whitening may appeal to many, it is impossible to undo the work quickly as enamel dehydrates.

To get the best results from your bleaching, it is important to keep your mouth clean. Every day, flossing and brushing is essential. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practicemight be able to help you with your bleaching results by offering a polish and scale treatment.

Dental Implants

Braces could be considered cosmetic dentistry because they make your teeth look better. Braces can be removed to improve the appearance of your teeth, but that is not their main purpose. Correcting crooked teeth is crucial to ensure your teeth function properly. Braces are cosmetic dentistry, as they improve the function and appearance of your teeth. However, dental implants are cosmetic because they improve the appearance and beauty of your mouth.

Dental implants are made of titanium and surgically placed by a dentist below the gumline to attach a bridge or replacement tooth. Implants are more secure than dentures because they won’t come off like bridges and don’t need to be attached to other teeth.

A cosmetic dentist must place a dental crown in your jaw. This is because there needs to be enough bone and healthy gums. A bone graft may be necessary if your jawbone is too weak or thin. A bone graft may be necessary if your upper jaw isn’t sufficiently strong. A sinus lift might be necessary if your sinuses are too close together.

The American Dental Association recommends two types of implants as safe.

Subperiosteal Implants

A dental implant made from a metal frame is the Subperiosteal. The frame is placed just below your gum tissue and above your jaw bone. The frame has metal posts that can be used by the dentist to place an artificial tooth or set of teeth.

Endosteal Implants

An Endosteal Implant is a surgical procedure that inserts a post into your jaw bone. After this surgery, the gum tissue must heal before another procedure can be performed to attach a post to it. Attaching artificial teeth or a tooth is the final step in this procedure.

An implant can be a cosmetic solution to restore your smile and correct the appearance of your mouth if you have lost a tooth. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practiceoffers these services and other procedures to maintain and repair your oral health.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a great way to prevent many problems caused by missing teeth. They also improve your appearance. Cosmetic dentistry is the process of placing a bridge in your mouth to fill any unsightly gaps between your teeth.

Two visits to the dentist are required for a dental bridge procedure. On the first visit, a mold will be taken and the bridge can be fitted to the teeth. While you wait for your permanent bridge to be finished, the dentist will place temporary bridges in your mouth.

The permanent dental bridge will be placed during your second visit. This ensures that you are comfortable. The bridge is cemented into place once it has been positioned. You have many options to improve the appearance of your smile. There are many options for bridges. The most effective one for you will depend upon your restoration needs.

Maryland Dental Bridge

Maryland Dental Bridge is a resin-bonded dental bridge. These bridges are made from porcelain teeth and attached to adjacent teeth using a metal frame. Attachment is completed with metal wings that the dentist bonds to the teeth.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

The Cantilever Dental Bridge works in the same way as a traditional bridge but only attaches to one tooth. These bridges can only be used when there’s just one tooth between the gap and the other.

Traditional Dental Bridges

The Traditional Dental Bridge, which is the most popular type of bridge procedure, includes a crown for each neighboring tooth that lies next to the gap. Between them, there is a pontic (or another crown). The teeth are typically made from porcelain fused to a frame of ceramic or metallic. As the crown rests on top of the abutment, the bridge is in place. These are then cemented into place.

Although most insurance companies do not cover cosmetic dentistry, it can often improve the functionality and health of your gums and teeth. You may be eligible for coverage if the procedure is considered cosmetic and functional. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practicecan help you find the right solution for your dental problems.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Non-Dental Factors

Your smile and teeth account for approximately one third of your face. They are affected by many aspects of your appearance. These are just a few of the many factors that can affect your smile and should be considered by you and your dentist before you consider cosmetic dental treatment.

Missing or lost teeth

It is possible to experience significant dental arch damage if you have lost one or more teeth from an accident, decay, or birth without them.

Your Face’s Height

Your upper jaw will likely be affected if you have a longer face. This will result in less space for your upper and middle teeth.

Lip and Skin Color

Many people don’t realize how lipstick and tan can affect the whiteness of their teeth. You can create an impression that your teeth are lighter by tanning or using certain lipstick shades. Before whitening your teeth or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, it is important to discuss these issues with your dentist.

The Width Of Your Face

Your smile framework is influenced by the width of your facial features. A palatal expansion may be necessary if you have a narrower face to improve facial balance and aesthetics. Dr Sawyer’s Dental Practicecan help you determine if your smile is at risk.

Facial Features Are Affected By Age

Your face can be affected by your age, particularly in terms of the tightness and tension in your cheeks and lips. As you age, your bottom teeth will show more and your face height will decrease. Talk to your cosmetic dentist about the best treatments for you.

Your Lips Volume

You may notice how much of your smile or teeth are visible if you have thin lips. When considering cosmetic dentistry, this factor must be considered.

Knowing which areas of cosmetic dentistry your dentist deals with is important as every clinic is different. Your dentist can help you discuss any expectations or options. There are many brands, applications and prosthetics that could work to improve your smile. Contact Dr Sawyer today for more information about dental bridges and other forms of cosmetic dentistry: 1-530-283-2811