Basics of Cosmetic Dentistry

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance, improve, or change the appearance of your teeth. In today's society, appearance is very important. While judgment based solely on appearance may be superficial and not reflective of who you really are, it can still affect how people think of you. When you talk, people focus on your face, your eyes, and teeth. People notice a natural looking mouth, teeth, and smile. An unsightly mouth due to visible cavities, defective fillings, gum disease, or crooked or misshapen teeth is noticed, too. People will often form opinions of you based on what they see.

 








You can get an objective look at how other people see you. Get about 18 inches away from a mirror. This is about as close as most people get to you when you speak with them. If you get any closer to the mirror, the light will not be right and you will not get a true picture of how your teeth look. Smile, talk, laugh, and observe which teeth are visible and what they look like. Then ask yourself, "If I could wave a magic wand over my teeth and change anything I don't like, what would I change?" Write it down, then read on.

Many people think of dentistry as fixing cavities, root canals, false teeth, caps, and gum disease. But you will be fascinated by what we can do to improve your appearance. Here is just a partial list of dental procedures that can improve the way your teeth look. Click on the yellow text to read more about each procedure.

- Replace discolored fillings in front teeth
- Whiten teeth to a lighter color
- Straighten crooked teeth with orthodontics or recontouring your natural enamel
- Close up spaces between teeth
- Porcelain or resin veneers to change the shape and alignment of teeth (bonding)

- Place tooth-colored fillings in back teeth (instead of silver/metal fillings)
- Porcelain or resin inlays or onlays for back teeth
- Cosmetic periodontal surgery to even out gum tissue that is crooked
- Restoration of worn and short teeth to their proper shape
- Fill in toothbrush abrasion notches
- Cover missing gum tissue due to recession with soft tissue grafts
- Replace missing teeth with bridges or implants
- Replace defective and unsightly crowns (caps)
- Cover stained root surfaces
- Remove stained fracture lines from enamel
- Restore chipped teeth (bonding)
- Make teeth appear longer
- Make teeth appear shorter

Costs for these cosmetic procedures vary according to the extent of treatment. Tell us how you wish your smile looked. Then we can tell you what we can do, how long it will take, and what it will cost. Most of the time, people are pleasantly surprised to find that the cost is not as much as they thought. If you have dental insurance, you may often find that some of the procedures are a part of your benefit package.

If you have any questions about improving your appearance by cosmetic dentistry, please feel free to call our office at 512-250-5012.