Restorative dentistry is for crowns and replacement teeth, preventive dentistry helps you avoid cavities and gum disease…But what does cosmetic dentistry do?
It’s understandable if you’re not quite sure. “Cosmetic dentistry” is really more of an umbrella term for dental treatments that “enhance your smile aesthetics” – though what that actually means can be quite vague and subjective. It’s much easier to understand cosmetic dentistry through some real-world examples! Keep reading to see what it can do for you.
Porcelain Veneers
A popular cosmetic dentistry treatment is porcelain veneers. Unlike a dental crown, porcelain veneers only cover the front-facing portion of your teeth. The point isn’t necessarily to protect a damaged tooth (although veneers can do that for minor chips and cracks). Instead, the idea is to conceal multiple dental blemishes at once beneath a flawless (and 100% customized) porcelain façade.
With veneers, your smile can look whiter, brighter, and perfectly seamless.
Dental Bonding
Similar to veneers, dental bonding is capable of concealing surface flaws in your enamel. Since it’s made out of a tooth-colored resin, though, it’s better suited for enhancing just one or two teeth. The bonding will completely hide minor cracks and deep stains and can also be used to fill in chips and reshape your pearly whites.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Plenty of over-the-counter products claim to eliminate dental stains and whiten teeth. If you’re not satisfied with the “whitening power” of your toothpaste, there’s a good reason for that. These products are rarely powerful enough to produce dramatic, noticeable results.
Your dentist, on the other hand, is qualified to use stronger chemicals that are much more effective at targeting and removing dental stains. In-office whitening treatments are lightening-fast, typically taking under an hour to complete, and by the end you’ll have the stunningly bright smile you’ve been wanting!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
So whitening toothpastes and gels aren’t always very effective, but what about those trays and strips you’re always seeing in commercials? They might be a little better at brightening your enamel; however, they’re not customized to the unique size and shape of your dental anatomy. Because of this, the whitening chemicals can come into contact with your gums and cause irritation and aren’t ideal for sensitive teeth.
Fortunately, your dentist can provide you with a professional, fully personalized version of this. Take-home teeth whitening treatments are great for those who would rather enhance their smile from the comfort of their own home or have a history of dental sensitivity.
Conclusion
As you can see, cosmetic dentistry has a lot to offer! Though primarily intended for patients who aren’t satisfied with the appearance of their smile, these treatments can also provide a more aesthetic solution to minor damage. If you think you would benefit from one or more of the examples listed above, talk to your dentist about scheduling a consultation. Your dream grin could be just one appointment away!
About the Practice
At Jasper Dentistry, we’re all about providing personalized care for your unique smile. Our three attentive dentists would be happy to talk with you about the best way to enhance your teeth with cosmetic dentistry. Just give us a call at 803-548-4353 or request an appointment online, and we’ll help you plan the perfect treatment!