Smiles are an important part of our lives. They can make us feel beautiful, confident, and healthy — or they can make us feel self-conscious and insecure. That’s why cosmetic dentistry is so important.
Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to change the way you look and feel about yourself. It’s a way to make your smile more beautiful, your teeth healthier, and have overall oral health.
In this post, we are going to explore what cosmetic dentistry is, the different procedures involved, who can benefit from it, and answer some frequently asked questions about it.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that focuses on enhancing the appearance of your teeth or smile. Cosmetic dentists are trained to use a variety of techniques to repair dental problems and improve the appearance of your teeth.
The most common treatments include whitening, veneers, bonding, and tooth and gum contouring.
Who Benefits From Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry might be right for you if:
- You’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth
- You have gaps between your teeth
- Your teeth are chipped or cracked
- Your gums are receding
- Your bite feels off balance because one tooth is longer than the others (called an overjet)
Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Some examples of cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves removing stains from your teeth and making them whiter. The dentist uses a bleaching agent to perform this process, which can be done in-office or at home.
This procedure is useful for those who have discolored teeth due to age or food/drink staining.
Dental Bonding
This procedure involves the use of composite resin to repair, strengthen or reshape teeth, thus improving the appearance of your smile.
The dentist may use composite resin to fill in cracks or chips in your teeth and make them appear white and naturally shaped. The dentist also might use composite resin to change the shape of your teeth or add additional fillings if necessary.
In most cases, dental bonding needs replacing after every five years.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that sit on top of your teeth to improve their color, shape, and size.
Porcelain veneers can be used to improve or straighten teeth, close gaps between teeth, hide stains or discoloration, and fix chips or cracks in your teeth. Porcelain veneers usually need replacing every 10 years.
Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring involves reshaping the tooth to make it more aesthetically pleasing. The dentist will remove some of the enamel from the tooth to give it a more defined shape or make it appear larger.
This procedure can be performed in a single office visit.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that gives you healthy-looking, perfectly proportioned gums. It involves reshaping the gum line to give your smile a more natural appearance
A gum contour can be performed on its own, or it can be combined with other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening and porcelain veneers and crowns.
This procedure can be performed in a single visit or over multiple visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with improving the appearance of your teeth and smile.
What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Increase confidence
- Improved oral health
- Enhance your smile
- Improve your overall appearance
- Enhanced dental function
- Increased self-esteem
What Is the Recovery Time?
Recovery time can vary from patient to patient depending on the type of procedure done. Most patients will return to normal activities immediately while some patients will need one to two days to recover.
How Do I Care for My New Teeth?
Caring for your new teeth is easy! Here are some tips:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to keep your gums healthy
- Rinse with mouthwash at least once a day, preferably after brushing and flossing
- Drink water regularly throughout the day to keep your mouth and gums hydrated
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid sticky or chewy foods that can be hard on your teeth
- Visit the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Cosmetic dentistry is not covered by insurance. However, if you have a dental insurance plan that includes a savings option, you may be able to use that money to pay for cosmetic dentistry procedures.
If you want a top cosmetic dentistry in Las Cruces be sure to check first with your insurance provider before scheduling any procedures to find out what they cover and how much they will contribute toward the cost of your treatment.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in plaque on your teeth combine with sugars and starches to form acids that eat away at the enamel of your teeth.
