Patients can receive cosmetic dental care to improve the appearance of their smiles. Unlike traditional dental care that helps patients maintain or improve oral health, cosmetic dental care aims to restore or improve the look of teeth, gums, and overall smile. Cosmetic dentists have treatments to whiten discolored teeth, reshape gums, replace missing teeth, and enhance the mouth's overall appearance.
Cosmetic dental care is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area to help give you a smile that you have always wanted. These treatments can boost your confidence and help you love your smile. Call us at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment and find out which treatment is the best for you.
Types of cosmetic dental care
There are various types of cosmetic services for people who want to improve their smiles. People interested in these services should keep the varying treatment length and price in mind when discussing cosmetic dentistry options. Some of the popular procedures include:
- Clear braces or aligners: These are ways to straighten teeth less visibly. Clear braces have clear brackets connected with a wire and are a good choice for more crooked teeth. Aligners are removable plastic trays. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, cosmetic dentists generally recommend aligners for patients whose cosmetic dental issues are minor.
- Dental implants: According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, implants are among the most important dentistry advancements. They replace one or more missing teeth by inserting a titanium rod into the jawbone and then placing a tooth cap on top. This treatment is secure, and the teeth look and function like natural ones.
- Teeth whitening: This is one of the most popular choices for smile improvement. It is also generally the easiest and least expensive method. A dental professional can bleach teeth in the office or recommend an at-home kit.
- Veneers: These are thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front surface of each tooth. Veneers can cover up discoloration, chips, gaps, short teeth, worn enamel, and other imperfections. They can also change the shape, length, or color of the teeth.
“There are various types of cosmetic services for people who want to improve their smiles.”
Cosmetic dental care options
Any type of dental treatment used to improve the teeth's appearance qualifies as cosmetic dentistry. Dentists often use a combination of cosmetic procedures to help patients achieve their desired results. Some of the different types of cosmetic dentistry treatments are:
- Dental implants: This option allows dentists to replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the natural root. Not only does this enhance cosmetic appearance, but it also improves the functionality of the mouth. Some similar options include bridges and dentures.
- Gum recontouring: Many people have gums that are either receded or overextended. Gum recontouring allows dentists to restructure gums, so they anchor teeth properly without being overly noticeable. This treatment improves the appearance of the smile by properly rationing the gums and teeth.
- Inlays and onlays: Inlays are restorative devices that fit inside cracked teeth to improve their appearance and make them stronger. Onlays cover the top of the tooth and offer the same benefits. These options treat cracked or chipped teeth located at the back of the mouth.
- Teeth whitening: While there are several procedures available for whitening teeth, the Oral Health Foundation states that professional bleaching is the most common treatment. Dentists use bleaching agents to remove stains caused by foods and beverages, medications, tobacco use, and aging. While this process may not fully restore teeth to their original shade, it can make them several shades lighter.
“Any type of dental treatment used to improve the teeth’s appearance qualifies as cosmetic dentistry.”
Benefits of cosmetic dental care
Cosmetic dental care can have a greater impact than just improved appearance. According to a 2013 study, dental esthetics affect not only self-confidence but also social well-being. A smile is one of the first things people notice about a person. Missing, discolored, or crooked teeth can negatively affect this first impression. Cosmetic dental care is a popular way for people to boost their self-esteem and help them smile confidently.
Being primarily an aesthetic factor, cosmetic treatments allow patients to pick and choose the types of services that best meet their desired results. It also allows dentists to try and achieve those results and work around any conditions the patient may have. Cosmetic dental care helps maintain the longevity of treatments and keeps the oral cavity healthy.
“Cosmetic dental care is a popular way for people to boost their self-esteem and help them smile confidently.”
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Recommended home care routines will differ from patient to patient depending on the type of treatment. Patients should always continue practicing general oral hygiene regimens along with their recommended home care routine. We will discuss specific routines with each patient following their treatment and give them any necessary instructions and tools to use at home, when applicable.
Patients with dental implants are advised to brush their teeth using a soft toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste and floss twice daily with an unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss. It is important to brush gently under, in, and around the implant to clean hard-to-reach areas. We also recommend using an oral irrigator to ensure that bacteria and plaque are removed throughout the mouth.
For patients undergoing gum contouring and teeth whitening treatments, we advise rest and avoiding rigorous activity such as biting and chewing. As the gums and teeth heal, patients should avoid spicy, sticky, and acidic foods and beverages. They should continue to brush their teeth two to three times daily and floss at least once a day.
“Recommended home care routines will differ from patient to patient depending on the type of treatment.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What are the different types of cosmetic dentistry treatments?
Q. What are some of the types of cosmetic dental treatments?
Q. What are the benefits of cosmetic dental care?
Q. What home care routine should I follow?
Q. What are dental care routines?
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Dental care routines
Dental care routines consist of both home and dental office practices. After every treatment, we recommend a certain amount of dental checkups or follow-ups necessary for proper care and maintenance. It is important that patients continue visiting their primary dentist to receive their necessary routine checkups and professional cleanings.
To keep the teeth bright, clean, and healthy after cosmetic treatment, we recommend that all of our patients brush, floss, and rinse after every meal. We highly encourage patients to come to all of their follow-up appointments to ensure their treatment plan is going as intended and make any adjustments as needed. During these visits, we may also recommend other treatments as issues or conditions arise to keep them from developing further.
“To keep the teeth bright, clean, and healthy after cosmetic treatment, we recommend that all of our patients brush, floss, and rinse after every meal.”
Frequently asked questions
General dentists focus on maintaining and restoring oral health. Cosmetic dentists focus on improving the look of the smile using elective procedures. This type of dentistry combines science and art to enhance aesthetics.
Procedure length can vary. Some treatments, like teeth whitening, may only take one relatively short visit with the dentist. Other treatments, like dental implants and braces, will take a series of appointments. Patients can research or ask about treatment duration during a consultation.
The cost of cosmetic procedures varies greatly from one treatment to another. Every insurance policy is different, and not all cover cosmetic dental care. Contact your insurance company to see if they cover any procedure so you can plan financially.
Cosmetic dental care can benefit many people with cosmetic dentistry issues. People with misaligned, stained, worn, broken, chipped, or misshapen teeth can find solutions through cosmetic dentistry. Good candidates should also take good care of their oral health by brushing and flossing regularly.
There are generally few side effects to cosmetic care. For less complicated treatments, the patient may notice a little sensitivity in the teeth or gums. This discomfort should go away after a few days. More invasive procedures like implants may cause discomfort, swelling, and bleeding after treatment. These side effects typically also only last a short amount of time.
Dental terminology
An allograft is a graft of tissue from a donor within the same species as the patient that is not a genetic relative.
The alveolar ridge is the bony ridge for one of the jaw ridges located on the roof of the mouth or on the bottom of the mouth.
Bleachorexia is when people continue to abuse teeth whitening solutions without consulting professionals, causing significant damage to their enamel and gums in the process.
A cap splint is a plastic or metallic device that professionals may use to treat mandible or maxillary fractures and cover crowns of teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that increases the extent of a tooth structure for restorative or esthetic purposes.
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Call us today
Having a beautiful smile is a confidence booster. Learn about how you can enhance your smile by speaking to our team at Oak Tree Dental. Call us today at 858-748-2101 to schedule an appointment and discuss the best treatment plan to meet your individual needs.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.