Cosmetic Dentistry

The World Of Cosmetic Dentistry

Apart from curing a painful tooth, extracting a decaying molar, and treating gum disease, what are the other reasons why we drop in on our dentists?
Well, putting medical treatment purposes aside, one of the main reasons why people seek the aid of a skilled dentist, is because they wish to improve their appearance through the many treatments under cosmetic dentistry.

Defining Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is loosely defined as a classification of dental treatments which focus on promoting a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of human dentition, with the improvement of function being more of a secondary objective. Having said that, dental cosmetics are constantly intertwined with dental health treatments since dental cosmetic treatments often have a direct and positive influence on dental function.

The Two Main Classifications Of Cosmetic Dentistry

There are generally two types of specialties under cosmetic role of dentistry, the first one is orthodontics, or the dentistry specialty that handles or treats tooth alignment irregularities and improper bites or malocclusions with the use of special treatments like the various forms of orthodontic braces.

Some examples of these orthodontic braces are; stainless steel braces, ceramic braces, gold-plated braces, lingual braces, and the transparent and removable braces known as Invisalign. The types of orthodontic braces to be used are determined by the unique conditions of each patient.

The second specialty is prosthodontics, otherwise known as prosthetic dentistry, it involves the treatment and rehabilitation methods for people who are missing parts of their oral cavity, including the teeth and other maxillofacial tissues, with the use of specially designed prosthetics or biocompatible tissue substitutes. This subspecialty focuses on restorative and rehabilitative treatments that help patients live a normal life.

But not all treatments under the cosmetic field of dentistry involves highly complex devices and processes, some of the most common and popular cosmetic treatments for the teeth can be completed within a few hours and does not even require surgery. Here are some examples; Teeth whitening, teeth bonding, dental reshaping, application of dental veneers, dental bridging, etc.