Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is concerned with the appearance of teeth. At the same time, the aesthetic appearance of teeth is not completely divorced from tooth function. People associate neat, naturally coloured teeth with a healthy mouth, and there is some truth to this. A healthy functioning mouth will tend to look better than a poorly kept one; yet sometimes the appearance of a healthy mouth is disappointing, and some dental assistance is required.

TEETH WHITENING

Some individuals find that their teeth discolour as they grow old, or discolour because of smoking. Because of this, we tend to associate clean, healthy teeth with a youthful appearance and general health. Tooth polishing can remove some discolouration, even as it is primarily used to prevent plaque build-up. More serious discolouration requires tooth bleaching or whitening.

There are various forms of teeth whitening, including in-office dental treatments and take-home treatments. Dentist supervised treatments are the preferred method, though a dentist can also supply the correct equipment and instruction for home whitening. In-office and home whitening are preferable to over-the-counter products.

TOOTH VENEERS

Veneers are thin porcelain laminates that bond to and cover the front of teeth. They can correct for gaps between teeth, chipped and damaged teeth, or the odd occasions where tooth discolouration does not respond well to bleaching. They can be similar in appearance to crowns, but are much simpler and less expensive to implement.

TOOTH RESHAPING

In some circumstances, a tooth can be reshaped by the removal of some enamel. This can correct for small chips or long and misshapen teeth. While this method is fast, it is only suitable for small alterations. Tooth enamel is thin, and removing it runs the risk of exposing the dentin inside the tooth. Any enamel removed cannot be replaced, so tooth reshaping is not a reversible procedure.

The correct alignment of teeth and jaws is primarily done to assist a patient’s speaking and eating, and prevent any potential problems with long-term wear. But a well-aligned set of teeth tends to look better than a crooked smile. Functional dental procedures tend to also improve appearance, but it can be beneficial to add to this tendance with some dedicated cosmetic dentistry.