Cosmetic dentistry is related but different compared to the field of general dentistry as we know it. For a short definition, cosmetic dentistry can be cited as basically involving aesthetics in sculpting the look of your smile all the way to the color of your teeth.
Reasons
People undergo cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons, each one dependent of his or her individual needs.
Some would want the good old-fashioned smile makeover or the movie-star white-teeth smile. Others simply want to straighten a crooked smile (caused by a crooked tooth or a group of teeth). Some others would just want to replace their old metal fillings with the now-popular white tooth-colored restorations.
Most people want to have their teeth whitened. Teeth whitening – one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available – is the one cosmetic treatment where the benefits are impressive and seen right away.
Things to consider
If you are planning to undertake a dental cosmetic procedure, it is necessary that you thoroughly know and understand its different aspects. You must understand, too, the different options available to you.
When you research about these them (and what they can do), it is important that you must also know the risks that are involved as well.
After your own reading and investigations, consult with a cosmetic dentist for the many other questions you may have in mind – the pros and cons of each treatment, the costs, the risks, the advantages and many others.
Costs and financing
Cosmetic dentistry costs will depend on many factors. How many procedures would you want? Is your cosmetic dentist skilled enough? Are the materials used the top of the line?
How about the quality of the dental clinic – are they using the most modern techniques and equipments? Have the price for their use factored into the total costs?
Where are you having your cosmetic dentistry procedures? (Cosmetic dentistry abroad is a lot cheaper that in the U.S. or in the U.K.)
Today, many people believe that cosmetic dentistry costs are astronomical and are prohibitive for their budget. Not many of them realize that there are several affordable options in cosmetic dentistry.
Nowadays, there are already several convenient cosmetic dentistry financing plans to assist you with the cost of the more extensive (and admittedly expensive) aesthetic procedures.
Aesthetic procedures
There are several cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discolored, and unevenly spaced teeth. From porcelain veneers to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to restore the health and vitality of their smile.
There are the usual teeth whitening procedures and dental implants to restore missing teeth. For unevenly-spaced, overlapping or gapped teeth, there is Invisalign®, a teeth-straightening solution for adults without the braces.
Choosing your cosmetic dentist
In the end, it might boil to the choice of your cosmetic dentist. Your doctor should be well-trained and have enough experience that you can trust.
Your doctor must not only be a good dental technician, but he or she should also have an artistic touch. The key to having the most natural-looking results is finding a cosmetic dentist with enough artistic sense and a sure mastery of his profession.