Ways a Cosmetic Dentist Can Enhance Your Smile

A cosmetic dentist can help you enhance multiple aspects of your smile's appearance. If something in your smile bothers you, chances are cosmetic dentistry has a solution for it. From teeth whitening to bonding and veneers, cosmetic dentists are helping people smile with greater confidence.

What is a cosmetic dentist?

A cosmetic dentist is any dentist who provides services aimed at improving the way a smile looks. Often, they are general dentists who dedicate a significant portion of their practice to improving the smile's appearance with procedures such as dental bonding, teeth whitening, and veneers. Though cosmetic dentistry is not an official dental specialty, many dentists who claim the title invest in additional training in cosmetic procedures.

How does a cosmetic dentist enhance a smile

Cosmetic procedures can be any procedure intended to improve the appearance of the smile and teeth. Sometimes, this includes restorative procedures such as dental crowns, bridges, or implants. Through cosmetic dentistry, it is possible to improve the color, shape, and texture of teeth, as well as their alignment. Even the balance between the gums and the teeth can be enhanced with cosmetic dentistry. To understand the ways cosmetic dentistry can improve the smile, here is a look at some of the most common cosmetic procedures and how they help.

Teeth whitening

Many dentists cite teeth whitening as their most frequently requested service. A cosmetic dentist often provides a patient with custom-made trays with a bleaching solution to use at home. This treatment employs chemicals such as carbamide and hydrogen peroxide to reduce stains and brighten teeth, often several shades.

Dental bonding

This popular and versatile cosmetic procedure can improve the color and shape of teeth and correct minor dental damage or imperfections. The dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth and shapes it accordingly. Then, the dentist hardens the composite resin with a special light. Dental bonding can even cover stains that do not respond to teeth whitening.

Porcelain dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the fronts of teeth that are visible when someone smiles. This treatment is well known for helping people create a "movie star smile" where teeth are uniform in size, shape, color, and texture. They can even make the smile appear straighter.

Clear aligners

This popular orthodontic is a frequent offering of cosmetic dentists. Treatment involves the patient wearing a series of custom-fit clear trays that slowly straighten the smile. Clear aligners offer patients a way to obtain a well-aligned smile without braces.

Gum contouring

How the gums look in relation to the teeth is an important aspect of a smile's appearance. Through gum contouring, a cosmetic dentist can correct the appearance of excessive gingival display or a "gummy smile." Patients can then enjoy a more balanced smile.

Patients can discuss their concerns with a cosmetic dentist, who can help them decide which procedure best suits their goals.