Cosmetic dentistry can not only improve the aesthetics of your smile, but it can also improve your oral health. The treatments involved can address issues, including tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, and other problems affecting your appearance.
This article will discuss how cosmetic dentistry can help improve oral health and how it differs from general dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry Vs. general Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving your teeth’s appearance, while general dentistry aims at diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral health issues. General dentists provide treatments to prevent gum disease, cavities, and other common dental problems. On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist can improve your smile through various treatments.
General dentistry procedures include:
- Cleanings
- Cavity prevention
- Root canals
Remember that whether you need cosmetic or general dentistry, it’s important to find a reputable clinic like this excellent dental clinic in Albuquerque if you’re in the area.
Most Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Here are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures:
- Teeth whitening. This procedure can help remove years’ worth of stains from your teeth and brighten your smile. It typically takes one to two hours and involves a bleaching agent applied directly to the teeth.
- Inlays/Onlays. Inlays or onlays are used to repair damaged, decayed, or cracked teeth. The process involves removing the damaged part of the tooth and filling it in with an artificial material such as porcelain or composite resin.
- Dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells that cover up discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps between teeth, and other dental imperfections. They are custom-made and usually made of porcelain or composite resin.
- Dental crowns. Crowns are often used to restore severely damaged or decayed teeth. The crown is fitted over the existing tooth and helps protect it from further damage.
- Gum contouring. This procedure reshapes uneven or gummy smiles by targeting areas with excess gum tissue or recessed gums.
- Dental implants. Implants replace missing teeth, providing a permanent solution. During the implant procedure, an artificial tooth root is placed into the jawbone and then topped with a false tooth. If you’re considering this treatment, ask your dentist what the cost would be to avoid financial surprises.
How Does Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Your Oral Health?
The following are some ways that cosmetic dentistry can improve your oral health:
- Prevents decay and infection. Cosmetic dentistry treatments, such as fillings and crowns, help protect teeth from decay and infection. They also help seal off the area to prevent bacteria from entering.
- Protects against further damage. Veneers, crowns, and other restorative treatments provide extra protection for damaged or weakened teeth. This helps prevent further damage from occurring.
- Correct bite issues. Dental treatments such as braces can help correct misalignment problems in the jaw, allowing for a more balanced bite pattern. This helps reduce the amount of strain put on the jaw muscles when chewing food.
- Help preserve your jawbone. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots, supporting the jaw structure and helping preserve it. See more here about cosmetic dentistry.
In Conclusion
Cosmetic dentistry can improve your oral health in a variety of ways. It can help prevent decay and infection, protect against further damage, correct bite issues, preserve your jawbone, and even boost self-confidence. Ultimately, it’s important to consult a qualified cosmetic dentist to ensure that the treatments are right for you and that you get the best results possible.