Cosmetic Dentistry

Debbi Carroll, RN

While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth and smile.

Technological advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible for dentists to address a wide range of challenges. Two of the latest trends aimed at creating a more attractive appearance are smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures currently in use include:

• Dental Fillings: As noted above, this traditional procedure can also be included in the category of cosmetic dentistry when porcelain and composite resin materials are used to provide a tooth-like appearance.
• Bonding: The repair of chipped or broken teeth may be done via a procedure called bonding. A dental composite material with the look of enamel is applied to the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into shape, contoured, and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine) or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.
• Dental Veneers: Plastic or porcelain laminates bonded to the surface of a tooth to replace chips and cracks will improve a worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth whitening.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry in order to compensate for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more youthful appearance, since missing teeth cause the face to collapse, making you look older.

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their smile.

Usually dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry. But some dental plans may cover part of the cost of certain procedures, such as crowns, especially when the main purpose is to repair a structural problem that could affect the overall health of your mouth. Usually, functional and restorative dentistry is covered in part by insurance, while cosmetic dentistry is seldom covered.

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