Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth, mouth, and smile. It focuses on dental aesthetics in colour, shape, size, and position of the teeth. It is a combination of science and art that allows dental professionals to improve the smile and overall ‘look’ of a person’s teeth, gums, and surrounding structures by modifying the size, colour, shape, and alignment of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can be divided into two main categories: direct and indirect restorations. Direct dental restorations involve directly placing materials such as composite resins or porcelain veneers to change the colour and shape of a tooth. Indirect dental restorations involve fabricating restorative material in the laboratory, such as crowns, bridges, or inlays, to be later cemented or bonded onto the teeth. Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, veneers, bonding, inlays and onlays, implants, and orthodontics. Teeth whitening can improve staining, discoloration, or yellowing of the teeth, while crown and bridge procedures are used to replace missing teeth and improve the structure of the bite. Veneers and bonding are two techniques used to mask small chips or cracks, while inlays and onlays are used to restore larger cavities. Cosmetic dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, and orthodontics are used to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth. While the primary focus of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, it also has functional benefits. By improving the alignment of the teeth, occlusal imbalances can be corrected, which can help to improve jaw function and reduce the likelihood of oral trauma. Additionally, cosmetics dentistry can help to restore patients’ self-confidence and improve their overall quality of life.