With an increasing demand in this particular area of dentistry, this era has seen a great rise in the number of oral health care practitioners and surgeons who are now practicing cosmetic dentistry as a solo area of expertise. It is important to understand that cosmetic dentistry deals only with restoring or enhancing the aesthetics and appearance, and not necessarily the function. It is common knowledge that in case of certain cosmetic dentistry procedures, the normal function of the structures of the oral cavity may, or may not be compromised. There are two main fields that are included and implemented in cosmetic dentistry namely orthodontics and prosthodontics.

Orthodontics deals with restoring normal occlusion of the teeth with the placement of orthodontics appliances and braces. Private practitioners all over the world charge a hefty amount for orthodontic treatments, which have become the most popular and also the most common method of acquiring a perfect smile. But with the advancements in dentistry, as well as an increase in the demand, orthodontic treatments have now become much more affordable. Prosthodontics involves the placement of implants and other prosthetic appliances for the same aesthetic effect, but within a much shorter duration than in orthodontics.

Another common procedure in cosmetic dentistry is tooth whitening and bleaching.  This involves the application of certain over the counter agents, as well as procedures that are performed by dentists at clinics. The result is a pearly white shine which can be achieved without any harmful side effects. Tooth reshaping is another popular cosmetic dentistry procedure with involves the reshaping of tooth structure in order to give them the perfect shape and size. Veneers have also gained immense popularity; these are porcelain laminates which can be bonded onto the surface of the teeth in order to camouflage any irregularities, spacing or discoloration. Another procedure that deals with the reshaping and remodeling of the gums to the preference of the patient is known as gum lifting. Bridges and implants are also quite common these days and involve the replacement of extracted teeth with those made in dental laboratories according to the oral anatomy of the patient.

With more advancement in the field of cosmetic dentistry, it is now much easier to acquire a perfect smile than it was ever before.

Laser Teeth Whitening

One the most potent and available whitening techniques available in dentistry today is laser teeth whitening. This is a professional dental treatment which is performed at a dental clinic by a cosmetic dentist. It involves applying a gel containing peroxide, the bleaching agent, onto the surfaces of the teeth. A transparent plastic tray is then placed over the teeth containing the gel in place. A blue laser light is then placed in front of the patient’s teeth for about an hour. This blue light is at a frequency which activates the bleaching agent within the gel to act on the tooth surfaces and begin the bleaching effect.

Laser teeth whitening is extremely effective, and can whiten the teeth up to 6 shades lighter. It can cost anywhere between $400-$700 by average dentists across the nation.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are almost every celebrity’s favorite choice of cosmetic dental treatments. They have the ability to change the color, shape and size of teeth, can close spaces between teeth, camouflage crooked and chipped teeth and hide all minor imperfections in all the visible teeth when one smiles. This is done through bonding extremely thin, tooth-like shells on the visible surfaces of the teeth after removing an equally thin layer of the tooth surfaces. It is comparable to a more conservative yet advanced method of crowns, which involve cutting away excessive tooth substance.

Porcelain veneers are highly durable, are an excellent match to natural tooth structure and give amazing results if done well, by an experienced professional cosmetic dentist. They are a very popular choice among esthetic conscious people and the celebrities. They can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $2,000, and may even go up to $6,000 depending on the dentist in question and the number of veneers made.

Tooth Whitening Strips

At-home tooth whitening strips can also be equally as effective as professional laser whitening, at a much lower cost, and are available over-the-counter. This involves applying strips to the surfaces of teeth every night, which contain lower concentrations of bleaching agents than bleaching gels used at the dental clinic. The whitening results begin to show over a period of a few weeks, thus make the change a more gradual one and less dramatically than veneers or laser whitening.

Having the perfect set of white teeth just like those celebrities on TV may seem intriguing, but one must always remember that a more natural smile always beats the almost fluorescent white shade celebrities go for. When going for porcelain veneers, always select a tooth shade that suits your skin tone, not just looking for the whitest possible shade. Natural hair, eye and skin tones are major factors to consider before going for any cosmetic dental treatment.

“A smile is the most important expression a star can make,” says Tom O’Neil, senior editor at In Touch Weekly. “If the smile is a 200-watt smile, it’s extraordinary. It’s become a cosmetic necessity for the fancy folk. It’s now more noticeable when you meet a star up close who doesn’t have it.”

As we all know, many systemic diseases can have oral manifestations, while many oral diseases can lead to systemic diseases as well. Visiting the dentist is thus, not just a large sum of money out of one’s pocket as common misconception suggests, but it has everything to do with improving one’s oral and general health and staying healthy. Dentists are, after all, certified as doctors for a reason.

Why visit the Dentist?

Regular visits to the dentist can help to prevent a variety of dental and oral problems. Brushing twice daily, using mouth wash and flossing are all part of maintaining perfect oral hygiene, but there could still be a problem that one is not aware of until it actually manifests itself. People with tartar and calculus cannot remove it with simple brushing and flossing. Tartar and calculus, if left alone, can most likely cause swollen gums and periodontal disease which, if left untreated, leads to tooth loss. Only a professional dentist is certified to perform the scaling procedure necessary to have it removed. The dentist will not only treat the problem, he will also educate the patient on effective tooth-brushing techniques to ultimately prevent periodontal disease.

Treating tooth decay is another reason to visit the dentist. As much as one may try to maintain good oral hygiene, difficult to reach areas of the teeth are most prone to decay. When decay starts, it must be treated promptly with a filling to prevent its further spread, or the tooth pulp will eventually get infected and will need more extensive therapy such as root canal treatment. In severe cases of tooth decay, the tooth may become non-restorable and may need to be removed. The earlier one visits the dentist for a decaying tooth, the better the prognosis for the tooth.

Along with treating and preventing periodontal disease and tooth decay, dentists perform basic examinations to check for any hidden dental problems. They do so by simple clinical and radiographic examination of the face and mouth. Any swellings, pain and tenderness is investigated and helps the dentist come to a diagnosis for the underlying problem, from where they can begin treatment. Swellings could be due to lymph node enlargement caused by infection or even a malignant tumor, which does not show many specific symptoms. The tumor may be benign or malignant, in which case the cancer will need prompt therapy. Other causes of swellings could mean a cyst is present, which is usually detected on routine radiographic examinations. Only visiting the dentist on a regular basis to check for any such progressive growths can help to prevent a variety of potentially dangerous conditions.

When visiting the dentist, one can get a good insight on the real status of his oral health, and could even discover a problem that may have been overlooked, such as diabetes. As mentioned earlier, systemic diseases can have many oral manifestations, some being very specific to the particular ailment that may be involved. The dentist is thus trained to thoroughly examine all aspects of a patient’s oral and dental health, in order to come to an accurate diagnosis and help to treat the problem. The dentist can also refer the patient to a physician if he suspects a systemic disease is involved in the etiology of the oral problem.

Early detection of oral and dental problems through regular visits to the dentist is the key to maintaining good oral health, preventing dental emergencies and keeping a check on overall general health.