What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

As people find newer and more effective ways of caring for their teeth – from high-tech toothbrushes and water picks to easy-to-use dental flossers – cosmetic dentistry is becoming more and more popular.

Of course, cosmetic dentistry isn’t just a way of making healthy teeth look cleaner and whiter. Often dentists use cosmetic dentistry techniques to repair damage from trauma. If you get a tooth knocked out, for instance, a dentist may create a crown or an onlay to replace it. If the entire tooth is gone, your dentist may suggest an implant.

Here are a few of the more popular types of cosmetic dentistry:

Veneers. These are ultra-thin laminates applied directly to the teeth. Veneers improve the look of teeth (in much the same way as whitening) and provide a measure of protection. Sometimes a dentist will apply a veneer to protect a damaged tooth surface. In the past, dentists needed to remove material from the teeth themselves, but technological advances now allow your dentist to bond the veneer directly to your teeth.

Whitening. This is the most common form of cosmetic dentistry, and is often called tooth bleaching. The process restores the natural white color of teeth and eliminates stains. Whitening can be performed at home with expensive kits, but it’s best done under the supervision of a dental professional.

Bonding. Also known as adhesive dentistry, bonding involves the application of an enamel-like deposit to a tooth’s surface. Using bonding, dentists can close gaps and eliminate chips. The process doesn’t always require anesthesia, and can usually be performed in one visit.

Dentures. Most people don’t think that providing dentures is a type of cosmetic dentistry. But an important part of creating useful dentures is careful measuring and precise artistry, assuring a fit that’s as attractive as it is comfortable. If we didn’t care what our dentures looked like, we might still be using George Washington-style wooden ones!

Bridges. Bridges are just one of many kinds of dental replacements. Dentists provide things like onlays and inlays, crowns, and implants for cosmetic purposes as well as practical ones. In many of these instances, the purposes of general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry merge.

Gum Contouring. Also called gum lifting, this procedure raises and sculpts the gum line to improve the look of the teeth. Historically used to treat periodontal disease, gum contouring has recently come into fashion as an aesthetic measure.

The dentists at Comprehensive Family Dentistry have been providing top-flight cosmetic dentistry in Langhorne, Newtown, Yardley, Philadelphia and the greater Bucks County area for years. Call today for an appointment.