We all want to look our best. Still, there are certain things about ourselves that we may not be happy about. For a lot of people, this is the way that their smile looks. Luckily, there is a field of dentistry that specializes in the appearance of a patient’s teeth and gums—cosmetic dentistry.

Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dentistry that involves cosmetic procedures to improve the overall appearance of a patient’s teeth and gums. This may include services that are both practical, and purely aesthetic.

Why Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic services can really help to boost the self-esteem and confidence of a patient. Many people are afraid to show their teeth because they are crooked, cracked or discolored. They also may have a “gummy smile,” making them self-conscious. Cosmetic services help to address these issues, and return a patient’s self-esteem. Cosmetic services can also be extremely practical. While a patient may have a cracked tooth that is bothering them, they may not realize that it is an oral health hazard. The same goes for a missing tooth or teeth. Cosmetic dentistry helps to alleviate these oral health concerns—while also improving the overall look of a patient’s teeth.

Popular Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just one procedure. Instead, there are a variety of different procedures that fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. Below are a few of the most popular cosmetic procedures:

Teeth Whitening
When people think of cosmetic dental procedures, the first thing that will often pop in their heads is teeth whitening. This is because teeth whitening is generally used for purely cosmetic reasons. Teeth whitening allows the patient to improve the color and shade of their teeth—making it brighter and whiter.

Dental Implants
Missing teeth can both be unsightly and dangerous. Nobody likes having a gap in their smile, and this can lead to people hiding their smile behind their teeth. A gap where a tooth is missing can also lead to a variety of oral health issues, such as teeth migration and even decay in the surrounding teeth. A dental implant replaces the missing tooth with a false tooth that is attached to the jawbone with a titanium rod. This gives the appearance of a natural tooth, and protects the patient’s oral health.

Braces
If a patient has teeth that are crooked or misaligned, braces may be an excellent choice for repairing the look of the patient’s teeth. There are a variety of options for braces—from traditional to Invisalign. The right choice for a patient’s needs will come down to the decision between the dentist and patient.

Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is excellent for repairing minor damage, such as cracks or breaks in a tooth. This procedure is very simple, and cost effective.

Speak with Your Dentist

If you have some cosmetic changes that you would like to make to your teeth, speak with your dentist about putting together a plan for your cosmetic dental needs.

 

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry or want to learn more, we’re happy to help! Contact Lansdowne Dental Care, conveniently located in Leesburg, VA. 

Interested in learning more about Cosmetic Dentistry, or information surrounding it? Here’s info on how to find the a cosmetic dentist near you.