What is a Cosmetic Dentist?

Cosmetic dentistry is a technique that improves the overall look of your smile, rather than just the way your teeth feel and function; it is very popular in the UK and the world over, as thousands of people strive for that flawless smile they see portrayed in the media. A cosmetic treatment that changes every aspect of the smile completely, is known as a ‘smile makeover’, because it takes misaligned, discoloured teeth and turns them into a beautiful, healthy smile in a matter of months – or even weeks with some revolutionary techniques. A cosmetic dentist will also be trained in various surgical treatments, such as root canal fillings and extractions, as all the top dentists start out learning the basics and then find their talent for creating perfect smiles; which is usually when they branch out and find success in the cosmetic arena, as opposed to the surgical one. Typically, a decent clinic will employ several dentists who are trained in the various methods for repairing and improving teeth, such as dental implants and veneers, as well as some who are highly skilled in operations and disease treatment; in this way they have a member of staff capable of helping in virtually any situation.

Just because cosmetic dentistry is labelled as such, it doesn’t mean that the patient avoids all surgical elements completely; restorative treatments such as tooth implants are fairly invasive and require a depth of knowledge on the structure of the jaw. However, there are also various other cosmetic processes that are extremely low-risk and work more for aesthetic purposes, rather than health reasons; teeth whitening is one example of this type of procedure. To enquire about cosmetic treatments and to get you on your way to a brand new smile, call the Pearl Dental Clinic today and book an appointment.

Orthodontics is also considered one section of cosmetic dentistry, as it realigns crooked or badly spaced teeth to make them look more appealing. This is a very specific treatment that is normally carried out by an orthodontist – a dentist that has chosen to focus on the position of the teeth, rather than just their appearance. As part of a ‘smile makeover’ a patient may have a system of braces fitted and then the finished product whitened to complete the process; it’s fairly typical that makeovers involve more than one component from the available options.

What are some common treatments carried out by cosmetic dentists?

There are numerous cosmetic procedures on offer in the world of modern dentistry; in fact, many people are probably unaware of the ways in which they can repair a damaged or unsightly smile.

Braces – Most adults are not likely to be too enthusiastic about wearing braces, but thanks to technological advances, there are some impressive new systems on the market that can realign your teeth with minimum effort, and without anyone else even noticing. Clear aligners are particularly popular with older patients, for obvious reasons, although they are not suitable for all cases, as they have limited movement. Traditional metal braces – or ‘train tracks’- can also be used for cosmetic enhancement, but the progress is not always visible until the time comes to have the brackets removed.

Dental veneers – Sometimes referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’ these synthetic shells are placed over discoloured or misaligned teeth to disguise the dental problems, and to give the impression of a perfectly straight, white smile. The most common types of veneers are porcelain or composite, the former of which is the more durable option; composite is prone to staining and damage, and it doesn’t always look as natural as porcelain.

Dental implants – These are great for providing a long-term solution to missing teeth, and can really make a difference to the patients overall appearance. Dental implants are placed underneath the tissue, directly into the jaw bone, where the titanium rod acts as a new root and bonds with the living tissue. This method is extremely popular, because it not only looks and acts almost exactly like the real thing, it can also last for decades, with adequate care.

Tooth and gum contouring – This method is especially useful for oversized gums, and teeth that are only mildly misaligned. Not all patients will need treatment that lasts for weeks or months and takes a long time to recover from; this relatively low-risk procedure can remove small protrusions and give the smile a better shape, without resorting to invasive surgery. Quite often it is the little changes that make for a more subtle, natural outcome, and contouring is a great way to achieve that.

Dental bridges – Although these are not as permanent as tooth implants, they are less costly and don’t involve cutting into the bone, which is a bonus for nervous dental patients. Bridges are used to replace missing teeth, and they work by forming a metal or resin mould that is clipped onto anchoring teeth, to hold the dummy tooth in place. Numerous problems can be helped with a bridge; they are very natural-looking and can be permanently fixed in place to last ten years or longer.

Teeth whitening – This is a very popular procedure among patients of all generations (it is not generally advised to perform a whitening treatment on a person under the age of eighteen), from those in their early twenties, to older people having trouble with discolouration that comes with aging. Teeth whitening is a very simple process that normally takes less than an hour to complete, and has very few side-effects, none of which pose a real health risk. This kind of cosmetic dentistry is also much cheaper than the alternatives, and should leave a lasting change, without the need for an extended recovery period.

Dentures – They might not be everyone’s ideal solution, but if you have no natural teeth strong enough to hold a bridge, your jaw has eroded – which makes it impossible to fit implants, or you just can’t afford a more surgical option; dentures can prove very useful. With the various hard-wearing materials on the market today, it’s not too difficult to create a natural-looking product that can give the appearance of a full, healthy smile.