We have all made countless visits to the dentist’s office during our lifetimes. It’s not exactly in our list of top ten fun experiences, am I right? Dentist visits are usually considered along the lines of a chore rather than an awesome day out. Nevertheless, dentists do essential work in analyzing the health of our teeth and ensuring we give them the best care possible. Our teeth are essential to our wellbeing and our ability to chew and efficiently digest food.  Not to mention how important they are in ensuring we speak well. Have you ever considered taking your tooth care to the next level with cosmetic dentistry?

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is still performed by a licensed, qualified dentist who specializes in improving the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dental procedures involve improving the color and appearance of your teeth, but these procedures are not totally superficial. In fact, cosmetic dentistry procedures can also have a positive effect on the health of your teeth. Here are some reasons you might look into cosmetic dentistry, and how these problems can be ameliorated by a procedure. If any of these apply to your situation, make sure you find the best cosmetic dentist in your area and book an appointment!

Missing Teeth

If, for whatever reason, you have a missing tooth or missing teeth as an adult, this can cause problems. You can get a gum infection, have trouble eating, and perhaps experience self-esteem issues if the missing tooth is visible to others.  

The solution? You can have a cosmetic dentist put bridges or implants into the gap. These are simple procedures which last a long time if taken care of properly. Bridges and implants look like real teeth and provide safe structural integrity to your teeth, as well as filling the gap.

Discolored Teeth

If you are a smoker or regular coffee drinker, you might experience yellowing or browning of your teeth—even if you are a diligent brusher.

The solution? Teeth whitening. Cosmetic dentists specialize in a range of different teeth whitening methods, from whitening procedures in the dentist chair to special mouth guards made to order which can be filled with whitening gel and worn.

Cracked or Damaged Teeth

If your tooth is not missing but is cracked or damaged in another way, this can not only be unsightly but also create oral health issues.

The solution? A crown, veneer or an extraction. Crowns are like bridges, except they are placed over the top of a tooth which is filed down and prepared to be overlaid. These can last up to fifteen years and are identical in appearance to a real tooth, giving you a seamless smile once again. Veneers are a more high-tech, Hollywood version of this, undergoing the same process as a crown but usually over multiple teeth. If your tooth is too damaged or at risk of infection, a cosmetic dentist will extract it and install a bridge or implant in its place.

In my case, my bite was off, causing a lot of pain in my jaw and stress hard aches.  Veneers were used to re-align my bite and relieve the pressure.  So you can see, there many things cosmetic dentistry can improve that you might not even be aware of.

To conclude: cosmetic dentistry might be a great option for you, even if you have never considered it before!