Cosmetic Dentistry
Do you feel hesitant to smile because of your teeth? You may want to consider cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of your teeth and gums.
Unlike classic dentistry, it doesn’t concern itself with the functioning of the teeth—only with their appearance.
The most common cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, dental veneers, implants, gum contouring, fillings, braces, and clear aligners.
History of Cosmetic Dentistry
You may be surprised to hear that the first dentures were used around 700 B.C. In the past, dentures were made of ivory, bones, or teeth extracted from dead animals or human beings or taken from donors. Their use continued until the 1800s.
In A.D. 200, gold was first used in dental bridges and crowns. The Egyptians used to hammer seashells into gums as teeth replacement.
Fast forward to the 1950s, and porcelain crowns were fused with metal to make them durable and comfortable. During the 1990s, plastic and acrylics were starting to be used by dental labs.
The idea of producing comfortable and natural smiles picked up pace in the first half of the 20th century, and today cosmetic dentistry is widely available.
Types of Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry is sometimes called esthetic dentistry. Practitioners highlight that having strong teeth and a beautiful smile can have an overall positive impact on your health as well as boost your confidence.
Esthetic dental treatments are typically referred to as “smile makeovers.” Notable procedures include:
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers improve the appearance of misshapen, chipped, discoloured, or crooked teeth. You can choose from a wide range of dental veneers.
Good to know:
- Prep-less veneers may work without any recontouring in specific cases.
- Porcelain veneers usually require recontouring as they bind to teeth with a special composite cement.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a popular cosmetic procedure that entirely changes the shape of your gums. You can choose the shape you want as the dentist will cut away the excessive and undesired gum tissues or restore receding gum tissue using a regenerative material.
Teeth Whitening
Various teeth whitening techniques use different procedures including in-office whitening treatments, intensive treatments, and over-the-counter treatments based on custom impressions.
Clear Aligners and Braces
These fall into the category of orthodontic treatments but are also considered cosmetic by nature. In some cases, braces or clear aligners may be medically necessary.
Why Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry can restore or improve your smile. It can literally make you smile more attractive and feel better—not just about your smile but about being who you are.
Cosmetic dentistry techniques are generally used to correct:
- Chipped teeth
- Missing teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Gummy smiles and other gum problems
Depending on the specific dental problem you’re facing, your dentist may be able to suggest additional cosmetic dental treatments to address it.
For best results, you want to choose a dentist who is familiar with cosmetic dentistry as some of the procedures we mentioned may not be provided by all dentists.
The Wrap Up
Cosmetic dentistry solutions can range from simple to sophisticated. If you ever felt unhappy with your smile because of teeth gaps, tooth discolouration, and teeth crowding, you may want to consider them.
It’s important to talk to a dentist experienced in cosmetic dentistry like Dr. Queiroz at Lawrence Park Dental in North York. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and be clear on all parts of the procedure and the results. You can call us at 416-488-7454 or use our convenient contact form.
In the end, your smile should gladden you and those around you. If it doesn’t, cosmetic dentistry may be able to fix it.
