What is cosmetic dentistry? Is it worth the cost? Should you give it a try?
Cosmetic Dentistry Includes More Than Teeth
Crowns, veneers, and dental bonding are all well-known cosmetic procedures. But some cosmetic dentists offer orthodontia, gum shaping, and even Botox to supplement a smile makeover. You might be surprised at the options available to you.
Cosmetic Dentistry Doesn’t Necessarily Repair Teeth…
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance the look of your smile. It isn’t considered necessary or therapeutic. Most aesthetic procedures have little to no effect on improving the structure or integrity of a tooth, or for treating active oral disease.
…But Cosmetic Dentistry Can Have Restorative Benefits
There are plenty of dental procedures that have both functional and cosmetic benefits. Dental crowns, for example, can both improve a tooth’s appearance and restore it after it’s damaged. Implants serve the dual purpose of filling a gap in the smile and restoring bite function.
Cosmetic Dentistry Isn’t Always Covered by Insurance
Because cosmetic procedures aren’t medically-necessary to your health, most dental insurance plans won’t cover them. You have to be prepared to shoulder the expense.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Oral Hygiene
Whether you choose to upgrade your smile with a little bleaching or a set of veneers, cosmetic dentistry will help boost your confidence. It’s not just an investment in your teeth…it’s an investment in your lifestyle.
Aesthetic dentistry is the perfect gift to yourself or a family member. To find which treatment is right for you, schedule a smile consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your area.
Posted on behalf of :
Prime Dental Care
417 Wall St
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 651-8618
These tips will help you feel confident in front of a camera.
Find Your Good Side
Very few people have perfectly symmetrical faces. Take a minute alone to look at your face in a mirror, turning your head from side to side. Does your face look more balanced when you tilt the right or left side towards the viewer? This will help you decide on your “good” side that you want to have angled towards the camera.
Smile with Your Eyes
A forced grin doesn’t suit anyone. Instead, think of someone you love or something that fills you with happiness. Squint your eyes instead of stretching them wide open. Let your mouth relax and gently curl into a slight smile. This will look better than trying to show all of your teeth at once.
Say Money Instead of Cheese
Saying “cheese” for pictures yields big, forced, and well, cheesy smiles. But saying a word like “money” or “honey” opens your mouth vertically for a more natural-looking smile.
Now that you know some posing tricks, here are a few ways to change your smile itself for the better.
Whiten Your Teeth
Teeth bleaching is a simple and instant confidence boost. Whitening takes years off your smile and makes you less self-conscious about showing it off.
Try Crown Lengthening
Sick of having a gummy smile? Your dentist may be able to reshape your gums to help more of your natural teeth to show up.
Get Dental Veneers
Veneers are the lasting solution for covering unsightly gaps, chips, and stains in your teeth.
For more tips on getting a healthy and gorgeous photo-ready smile, talk with a cosmetic dentist in your area.
Posted on behalf of:
Gwinnett Family Dental Care
3455 Lawrenceville Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(770) 921-1115
Some people opt to completely redesign their mouths with multiple stages of dental work. This sounds like something only celebrities would do; but you might one day find yourself unexpectedly needing full-mouth restoration, as well.
Here are a few reasons why.
Accidents
Nearly all of us face the risk of an automobile accident every day. It’s one of those things you have less control over than you realize. Such a traumatic event could cause an injury with permanent damage.
Sports Trauma
Sometimes, a broken tooth is just the name of the game.
Boxing, hockey, martial arts, and all other contact sports jeopardize your smile with each practice session. A mouth guard can help, but if the worst should happen, restoring your teeth will help you feel confident about getting back on the field.
Makeover
You may decide that you deserve a gorgeous smile every bit as much as the movie stars do.
Sick of your overbite? Want brighter teeth? Tired of all those crooked snaggle-teeth? Are you done with getting filling after filling updated?
Thousands of American dental patients just go for the gold and commit to a complete cosmetic dental makeover as a gift to themselves. Hey, you deserve to look good at your wedding or right after you retire.
Cancer Treatments
Cancer of the throat, jaw, tooth, tongue, and other types can all cause permanent disfigurement in the face. This doesn’t just affect looks – it can also seriously impact daily functioning and nutrition.
Rebuilding your smile after cancer will help you eat and speak comfortably as well as feel like your old self, again.
Contact your dentist for a consultation if you’d like to start planning your full-mouth reconstruction.
Posted on behalf of:
Soft Touch Dentistry
1214 Paragon Dr
O’Fallon, IL 62269
(618) 622-5050
Dentistry has several branches of specialty practice. Periodontists focus on gum health, oral surgeons reconstruct jaws, orthodontists straighten teeth, and so on.
Cosmetic dentistry, however, is not a recognized specialty, according to the American Dental Association.
So, what exactly is cosmetic dentistry if it’s not a specialty?
Cosmetic Dentistry: An Emphasis on Art
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on treating teeth to make them look as beautiful as possible. While general treatments makes teeth healthy and functional, cosmetic services take things a step further.
Cosmetic dental procedures include things like:
What Makes Cosmetic Dentists Different?
A cosmetic dentist will take the time to help you create the smile of your dreams. Simply filling or capping a tooth is not the answer. A dentist who focuses on aesthetics wants you to love the results and feel confident in showing off your teeth.
To make the time necessary to focus on the cosmetic aspect of his or her work, a cosmetic dentist will likely treat complicated cases by working with other specialists or hand chosen labs that specialize in cosmetic restorations.
For example, the cosmetic dentist will cover a dental implant, but might send the patient out to a surgeon for the implant procedure. Or they might bleach crooked teeth after they’ve been straightened by an orthodontist. An endodontist can do your root canal, and then a cosmetic dentist can crown the tooth.
Cosmetic dentistry doesn’t mean ignoring health or function issues in your teeth. It simply means that the dentist spends more time making your teeth look youthful, natural, or glamorous during the process.
Schedule a smile consultation today to learn how cosmetic dentistry could change your smile for the better.
Posted on behalf of:
Mundo Dentistry
3463 US-21 #101
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(704) 825-2018
You’ve caught yourself so many times saying this: “No photos, please! I hate my smile!”
Or maybe you’re the kind who suffers in silence, hiding your teeth behind a closed-lip smirk.
Almost everyone wishes that they could change something about their smile. But very few realize just how easy it is. A little cosmetic dental treatment can go a long way in revolutionizing the way you feel about yourself.
What Would You Change?
The first step in achieving a more beautiful smile is to identify what about it bothers you.
Common complaints include:
Create a list of everything you’d like to see changed. Don’t hold back thinking that it’ll cost too much to repair it all. Just get it in writing. Next, rearrange your list so that it reflects your priorities.
Get Out What You Put In
Your smile represents an investment of time and effort. You don’t get beautiful teeth with dental work, alone. A solid routine of regular brushing and flossing will help keep your smile clean and fresh. That’s something to be proud of!
Diet also plays a major role. When you make balanced food choices, your smile will be healthier.
Consult an Expert
Now it’s time to bring your plans to life.
Your dentist is your best resource. You’ll get recommendations for improving oral hygiene, avoiding tooth damage, and making some upgrades.
Cosmetic dental treatments are more affordable than you may realize. A simple procedure like getting a crown can address multiple concerns at once.
Talk with your dentist to find out more about getting a smile you’ll fall in love with.
Posted on behalf of:
Les Belles NYC Dentistry
420 Lexington Ave #228
New York, NY 10170
212-804-8884
What’s wrong with wanting a beautiful smile?
Your smile is likely one of the firsts things people will notice about you. It has the potential to be your best and most permanent accessory if you really invest in it.
Investing in your teeth means keeping them healthy and doing what you can to make your smile stand out from the crowd.
Check out these seven trusted cosmetic dental procedures for revolutionizing the appearance of your teeth:
Bleaching your teeth can start with a simple at-home kit or you can go all the way and get a professional in-office treatment. This is a great option if you don’t want to make any permanent changes to your smile but still want to take years off your appearance.
Veneers are false fronts that can instantly upgrade the look of your upper front teeth to make them look brighter and straighter.
Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and cover up an entire tooth that can be fixed any other way. Crowns provide teeth with both strength and beauty.
Permanently fill in that gap in your smile with a brand-new tooth. No one will ever have to know it’s not the real thing.
Bonding is a great way to patch up small chips and reshape rough edges.
What do you do when a filling isn’t enough but a crown is too much? Meet halfway with an inlay or onlay.
Sometimes your teeth aren’t even the problem. Trimming back and reshaping a little gum tissue can lengthen and even out teeth.
Which treatment is right for you? Find out by scheduling a smile consultation with your cosmetic dentist.
Posted on behalf of:
Marietta Dental Professionals
550 Franklin Gateway SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 514-5055
Celebrities perpetuate the almost ageless fashion trend of wearing dental grills. A grill is a type of cosmetic dental appliance that can be thought of as “dental jewelry.” Typically made from gold or silver and encrusted with precious stones, grills allow for a wide variety of personal expression.
Whether you want to show off your wealth, make a statement, or add extra sparkle to your smile, you might now be thinking about getting a grill. Before you do, here’s what you should think about.
Grills Need Cleaning, Too!
Most dental grills are removable so you need to clean and care for it just as much for a denture or mouth guard. Any foreign object that you wear in your mouth for hours at a time is subject to food debris, bacteria, and other slimy stuff.
Ideally, you should take your grill out at mealtimes. But that may not always be preferable in certain social situations. Just make sure that you are cleaning it daily with materials that are non-toxic.
There Is A Time Limit
Don’t wear your grill 24/7. The hard materials can chafe against tooth enamel and wear it away. Having all that extra metal in your mouth also increases the risk of injury if you suffer trauma while wearing a grill.
Whenever possible, limit wearing your grill to special social occasions where you want to show it off.
Know What’s In Your Grill
Depending on where you get your grill made (and at what price), some non-precious metals may be used. There’s the possibility of irritation, or worse, allergic reaction if you have a grill made from sub-par materials.
Ask your dentist whether a grill is a safe ornament for your smile. If you’re trying to hide something, we might have a better option to help!
Posted on behalf of:
Dream Dentist
1646 W U.S. 50
O’Fallon, IL 62269
(618) 726-2699
You’ve heard a few horror stories about folks who received an unwanted dental “make-under.” You may even have ended up with a crown or bridge yourself that you think is pretty unsightly.
Don’t lose faith in dentistry just yet; bad dental experiences are definitely not the norm!
Here are a couple things you should do to find a reliable cosmetic dentist and get the results you want.
Ask Trusted Sources
Many dental offices – good and bad – feature lovely websites. So don’t go by a pretty web design, alone. Make sure you do research that takes you to trusted sources for reviews on cosmetic dentists near you.
Ask friends, ask around at your place of work, or talk with parents of your kids’ classmates. There’s no need to be ashamed in asking. Who wouldn’t feel flattered when asked “How did you get such gorgeous teeth?”
Take Lots Of “Before” Shots
Okay, so you’ve found someone with rave reviews and you’re bracing yourself for that first meeting. Do your part by coming armed with photos of what you want your smile to look like. It’s easier to show rather than to explain your vision. Better yet, take in pics of your smile from times when you were in love with it. A good cosmetic dentist can replicate a look that’s uniquely you.
Also, check that the dentist will let you do a “test drive” with a temporary restoration to make sure you like it.
With some research and plenty of preparation, it is possible to find a great cosmetic dentist!
Posted on behalf of:
Cardinal Dental
1400 Triad Center Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
(636) 441-7340
A perfectly straight white smile has become a symbol of successfully achieving the American dream. Gorgeous teeth are an indication of growing up with every access to dental care, great health, and beauty.
But if your teeth are less than stellar right now, why should you care? Focusing on how your smile looks could seem pretty pointless in view of everything else you have to worry about…right?
Consider, however, a few good reasons why you should consider improving the appearance of your teeth through cosmetic dental procedures.
This is the most important reason to enhance your teeth with a little cosmetic dental treatment. You wouldn’t try to cover up a serious mold problem in your home by hanging a few nice pictures. Likewise, you can’t patch on a pretty smile without addressing the core issues. A beautiful smile starts on the inside.
By pursuing cosmetic dentistry, your teeth will also experience the reinforcing benefits.
Virtually every society associates a loss of teeth with aging. A gap in the smile often denotes a lack of intelligence. Long or crooked teeth can indicate evil intent. While such stigmas aren’t true, a beautiful smile will bring your overall looks closer to the ideal of human health and vitality.
If you want to take years off your looks, investing in your smile is the longest-lasting way to do so.
Bright eyes, perfect hair, nice muscle tone, eyebrows-on-point – all of that goes out the window once someone notices that your smile is dull, stained, or uneven. Don’t underestimate the power of a sparkling grin!
Ask your dentist which cosmetic procedures could make the biggest impact on your life.
Posted on behalf of:
Enamel Dentistry
2717 S Lamar Blvd #1086
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 717-5315
Check out a few of these once-popular dental trends that astound, impress, and horrify us today.
Tooth Blackening
At one time, black teeth (ohaguro) were considered a mark of beauty in Japan. This was especially so when they contrasted with the white makeup of a geisha. The practice was believed to have strengthened teeth.
Egyptian Bridgework
This archaeological find isn’t so much bizarre as it is innovative. The early Egyptians apparently had a technique for bracing false teeth over a gap in the gums using gold or silver wire.
What isn’t entirely know is whether this extensive bridgework (which looks like it could have been painful) was performed on living patients or dead ones. It’s possible they only placed a dental bridge on a dead body to make it look good in preparation for burial.
Mayan Tooth Bling
The Mayans had some pretty advanced cosmetic dentistry. Mixing a resin with crushed bone, they would bind gems to carefully carved holes in teeth. They’d get creative with all kinds of precious stones and metals.
Analyzing those teeth today reveals that the Mayans knew a thing or two about tooth anatomy – their restorations usually stayed well away from the nerve inside of the tooth.
Tooth Sharpening
Teeth have been sharpened in countries all over Africa, South America, South East Asia, and the South Pacific. Cultural reasons for doing so include:
Thankfully, today’s cosmetic dental procedures are far safer, kinder to teeth, and more hygienic. There is plenty of room for self-expression within the bounds of safe cosmetic dentistry. Ask your dentist about treatment options for whitening, straightening, and otherwise enhancing your teeth to fit the modern ideal of health.
Posted on behalf of:
Precision Digital Dentistry
674 US-202/206
Suite 7
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 955-6999
A fairly common occurrence in the mouth is the existence of extra bone development along the outside or inside of the jawline near the teeth, or in the roof of…
Sedation dentistry is a wonderful option for many people who would not or cannot tolerate dentistry in a traditional dental setting. Many people have a fear of visiting the dentist,…
Lingual frenectomy and lingual frenuloplasty are both dental procedures used to correct a condition called ankyloglossia. Ankylogloassia, more commonly known as ‘tied tongue’, is an abnormality of the lingual frenulum….