A beautiful smile is one of the most desirable features. It can light up a room, make you look younger, and it can even improve the mood of those around you! But if your smile is not quite as beautiful as you would like, you might be contemplating the idea of undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures. But what exactly is cosmetic dentistry? This blog post provides a basic introduction.
Defining Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is not an official dental specialty. Rather, it is a general term that can apply to any procedure that has the goal of enhancing your smile’s appearance. Some restorative and orthodontic procedures can even be classified as cosmetic dentistry. That is because, even though their primary purpose is to support your oral health, they can also significantly improve the overall aesthetics of your teeth.
Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Here is an overview of some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures:
- Teeth whitening uses a special bleaching formula to penetrate the tooth enamel and break up pigment molecules, leading to a brighter smile.
- Veneers and Lumineers are custom-made pieces of porcelain that get attached to the outward surface of the teeth. Their goal is to hide imperfections, such as chips, cracks, small gaps, and more.
- Cosmetic dental bonding involves the use of a tooth-colored resin that gets molded over the teeth in order to disguise flaws.
- Gum recontouring is a minimally invasive surgery that creates a more aesthetically pleasing gumline.
- Invisalign clear aligners gradually reposition the teeth in order to get rid of unsightly misalignment.
Who Can Get Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry has almost universal applicability. Indeed, it can be suitable for people of any gender and virtually any age. As long as your mouth is healthy enough for cosmetic services, there is a good chance that your dentist will be able to help you reach your aesthetic goals. (If you have some severe oral health problems, your dentist will need to address them before progressing to procedures that have a cosmetic focus.)
Ask your dentist about which services are right for you. Once you understand the available options, as well as their benefits, cost, and any potential downsides, you can make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.
Meet the Practice
At Fisher Dental, Dr. Gus Bal lives by the Golden Rule; he treats every patient as he would like to be treated! Under his leadership, our team offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including the ones mentioned in this blog post. If you have questions about your options for enhancing your smile, we would love to welcome you in for a consultation. Contact our Nepean office at 613-727-0990.