Cosmetic Dentistry

Wouldn’t it be great to have a dazzling smile?  One flash of your pearly whites and a hush will fall over the room as the light dances happily off of your perfect teeth.  Unless you are Julia Roberts, or similarly genetically blessed, your smile may be less impressive than you’d like. 

Years ago, there were not many options for those who wanted to improve their smiles, but things have changed.  The ever expanding field of cosmetic dentistry offers an array of options for those looking for whiter, straighter or even larger smiles.

Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures are those involving tooth whitening.  There are several options available, including laser treatments and gel trays.  Depending on the procedure, your smile can become up to 8 shades brighter.  Some procedures provide instant results while others, such as the gel tray, offer gradual results over a period of months.

Procedures that change the shape and size of teeth are becoming more popular.   People that are unhappy with their smiles because of crooked, chipped or uneven teeth are turning to procedures such as dental bonding, contouring or veneers to reshape their smiles.

Bonding is a good option for those who want to restore decayed teeth, close small gaps or correct the look of crooked teeth.

Veneers are another option than can provide a dramatic change in your smile. Placed over your teeth, veneers can be used to change the color, shape and even the size of teeth. For those unhappy with teeth that are too big or small, or that are uneven or chipped, this is a great option. 

Some cosmetic dentistry procedures require several visits, but dental contouring or reshaping can provide results in just one session.  Dental reshaping can fix crooked teeth or alter the length of teeth that are too long, with instant results.

Be prepared to pay for these procedures.  Whitening procedures can cost from $400-$1000 dollars.  Reshaping can cost up to $350 per tooth.  Veneers are offered in several different materials, and some last much longer than others.  Depending on what material is used the cost per tooth ranges from $250-$2500. 

For many, the dramatic results are worth the cost and discomfort.   While the results can alter the look of your smile, it’s also important to understand what they cannot do.  Cosmetic dentistry can only alter the look of your teeth, not the shape of your mouth.  Discuss in detail with your dentist what you hope to accomplish, and he can help you set realistic goals.

The ever expanding field of cosmetic dentistry is making the dream of a beautiful available to more and more consumers.  That’s something to smile about!

Cosmetic dentistry has become more widely available and much more popular for two main reasons. One reason is based on technological advances--new materials and methods have made some cosmetic dentistry procedures possible for the first time. The other reason has more to do with attitudes--our society places a high value that on youth and attractiveness, and the condition of our smile contributes to both.

Cosmetic dentistry includes several different types of dental treatments, including tooth whitening, bonding, enamel shaping, veneers and braces. Whitening or bleaching is a safe and relatively simple remedy for stained or discolored teeth. Bonding corrects issues like gaps between teeth and chipped or broken teeth. Enamel shaping is a cosmetic dentistry method to improve your smile's appearance by contouring or removing enamel. Veneers are thin shells applied to your teeth to correct irregular spaces, chips and other problems. Of course, braces have been around a long time to straighten teeth or reduce crowding.

The dentists who offer these services suggest that cosmetic dentistry is about more than just the face you present to the world. It's also about the face that you see in the mirror and how that reflection affects your self-esteem. Marketing materials for most cosmetic dentists promise that a dramatic difference in your smile will have a positive effect on your self-esteem. Can cosmetic dentistry really improve your self-esteem?

The College of Dentistry at the University of Kentucky recently tried to find out the answer to this question. They surveyed patients who were receiving cosmetic dentistry treatments about their self-esteem, physical appearance and dental appearance. Researchers followed up with patients several months after their treatment to measure the difference in their attitudes. And the results?

First, it turned out that people who felt good about their physical appearance also had a high self-esteem. No real surprise there. They also found that most patients had an improved self-evaluation of their dental appearance after cosmetic dentistry treatments. Good news for the dentists at least. But what about self-esteem?

The study discovered that even though people felt better about their dental appearance, that didn't seem to have an impact on feelings about their overall physical appearance or their self-esteem. In other words, they appeared to be satisfied with the cosmetic dentistry results, but the improvements didn't go beyond their smile.

So what does this really mean? Well, it was a small study, so researchers cautioned against making any broad predictions. It seems pretty safe to say that you'll probably be pleased with the results of cosmetic dentistry from a good dentist. But don't expect a brighter smile to change your whole life.