7 in 10 Americans admit to feeling insecure about their teeth, and rank it in first place as the facial feature they’re most unsatisfied with.
Cosmetic dentistry is one of the best ways to fix the insecurities of a poor smile and the health risks it can create. Cosmetic procedures will give you a beautiful, healthy smile that you’ll want to admire and take care of.
Despite the benefits, finding a reputable dentist to perform cosmetic procedures can be difficult. You’ll need to choose an experienced professional who’s done the procedure you want many of times before.
If you’re one of the many potential patients looking for “cosmetic dentistry near me,” read our guide to learn what to expect, including what procedures are considered cosmetic and what benefits they provide.
Cosmetic Dentistry Defined
Cosmetic dentistry includes any procedure used to improve the appearance of your smile. It does this by preserving the color, shape, alignment, and evenness of your teeth and gums. Procedures can be non-invasive or surgical.
There are over 201,117 dentists in the United States alone. It’s impossible to know how many of them offer cosmetic services because cosmetic dentistry isn’t an official specialty and requires no extra training or certification. You’ll need to go beyond a quick Google search for “cosmetic dentistry near me” and carefully look for a reputable dental practice that offers the services you want.
Cosmetic procedures are not always covered by dental insurance. You may get lucky if they coincide with medically necessary procedures, such as a crown for a severely chipped and painful tooth or braces used to correct problems with your bite.
Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Research shows that the size, visibility, and color of your teeth are the most important factors that affect how attractive you perceive your smile to be. Cosmetic dentistry is a form of dental care that improves all of these measures, and it can even cover several of them at once. This makes it one of the easiest and fastest ways to improve the way you feel about your smile.
The number of ways that a dentist can improve your teeth is staggering. The most common cosmetic dental services include braces, cosmetic crowns, veneers, and fillings, dental implants, and teeth whitenings. Cosmetic dentists may also offer Botox or dermal fillers.
Braces
Braces are one of the most common forms of cosmetic dentistry. Many general dentists are able to offer braces and services such as Invisalign, but you can also choose to find a dentist who has specialized in braces called an orthodontist. Getting braces to correct misaligned teeth is very common; over 4 million Americans wear them. Of the 4 million who have braces, 25% are adults.
There are a couple of types of braces to choose between. Bracket braces are semi-permanently attached to the front of your teeth and are worn continuously until your teeth and bite are in proper alignment. Alternatively, removable products such as Invisalign and Clear Correct are 3D printed plastic guides that, when worn consistently, push the teeth into proper alignment. Cosmetic dentists and orthodontists can apply them and help you decide which type is right for you.
Cosmetic Crowns, Veneers, and Fillings
Cosmetic crowns create the appearance of natural teeth. They’re used to close gaps, or to correct misaligned or discolored teeth.
Cosmetic veneers are thin porcelain strips that are basically glued over the front of a tooth to cover damage, misshapenness, or yellowing. They come pre-whitened, can be customized to the size and shape of your existing teeth. Veneers and are typically more affordable than crowns with similar results aesthetic results, but the risk of them falling off accidently is much higher than cosmetic crowns.
Fillings are used when part of a tooth begins to decay and are essential to keep the root from becoming infected. They used to be made with a silver material, but newer cosmetic fillings are white and look more like natural teeth. Some cosmetic dentists are willing to remove your old silver fillings and replace them with white fillings to improve the look of your smile.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are made from titanium and placed into the jaw to replace a damaged tooth’s root. They create a permanent foundation for a permanent cosmetic crown.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening solves the common complaint of a yellow or stained smile. You can have it completed in the office in about an hour or use a take-home option that takes longer but is more affordable.
Botox and Dermal Fillers
Cosmetic dentists also offer Botox. You can trust them with the procedure because they have more training on facial anatomy and giving injections than most other providers.
You could also choose from a range of other dermal filler procedures such as hyaluronic acid and facial fat grafting. They’ll improve the contour of your face, reduce lines, and provide other beauty benefits.
Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits
There are several benefits of cosmetic dentistry. It prevents and treats a range of oral issues and gives patients more self-confidence and satisfaction with their smiles.
Cosmetic dentistry procedures can improve your oral health by fixing misaligned, chipped, or cracked teeth and preventing damage caused by bruxism (teeth grinding).
Misaligned teeth cause a range of problems, including:
- Wear and tear
- Trapped food
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Headaches
- Inflammation of the jaw
- TMJ or temporomandibular joint syndrome
Chipped and cracked teeth are an equally serious issue and can cause:
- Chronic pain
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Iinfection
- Tooth decay
Bruxism is a condition where patients subconsciously grind or clench their teeth. When cosmetic dentistry realigns teeth it can help avoid damage from grinding.
Having an improved smile encourages better oral care by motivating you to maintain your beautiful teeth with proper brushing and regular checkups.
Cosmetic Dentistry Near Me
Cosmetic dentistry is a solution to the all-too-common human issue of being unsatisfied with your teeth. It covers almost any aesthetic issue you could have with your teeth with procedures such as whitening, braces, crowns, veneers, and fillings.
The health benefits of these procedures are undeniable because they encourage proper oral care and prevent the issues caused by cracked, chipped, or misaligned teeth. They’re also important for your psychological well-being because they improve your self-esteem.
End your search for “cosmetic dentistry near me” at Boise Family Dental Care. Schedule an appointment today to get a smile you’ll want to show off.