Everyone deserves a beautiful smile, right? A bright, healthy smile can do wonders for your self-esteem, but it’s also an indication of your overall health. We get many questions from patients about their desire to improve their smile through cosmetic dentistry, so we thought we’d spend some time discussing where this specialty area is headed.
While cosmetic dentistry and outward appearance are important for numerous reasons, there are many cases that require more than a simple cosmetic solution. Let’s take a look at how cosmetic dentistry has evolved over the years and how it relates to comprehensive oral care.
The Evolution of Cosmetic Dentistry
There are many ways that cosmetic dentistry has transformed over the years. A series of technological and scientific breakthroughs over time has resulted in entirely new types of procedures, from detailed color correction to the full restoration of missing teeth. Here are just a few notable trends in cosmetic dentistry.
Clear Aligners have opened the doors to new possibilities when it comes to enhancing smiles. They offer a much cleaner, visually-pleasing, and more comfortable alternative to traditional wire-and-bracket braces. Proper tooth alignment allows for better cleansability for the patient and a better aesthetic result with whitening and other cosmetic procedures.
Gum Infection Therapy is a deep-cleaning dental procedure that treats periodontal (gum) disease due to excessive plaque buildup in hard-to-reach places under the gum line. Patients who suffer from gum disease often have “deeper pockets” that allow bacteria to seep in and grow within, so deep scaling is critical for cleaning in these areas.
Gum Contouring, also known as gum reshaping, is a promising solution to re-position uneven or higher/lower resting gum lines. Gum contouring can be extremely beneficial to restore and correct gum tissue guaranteeing a better aesthetic result when done in combination with cosmetic dentistry.
3D Dentistry lowers costs and boosts efficiency for a variety of otherwise complex dental procedures, including building models for clear aligners and dental implants. With 3D printing, dentists can easily analyze and outfit solutions for the entire mouth, including preparing a patient for reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Orthodontics
At Dental Arts, we believe that optimal oral health stems from a blend of orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Using the latest technology and practices from both specialties, we combine the long-term health benefits of orthodontics with the visual polish of cosmetic dentistry.
Orthodontics is extremely important for overall structural and alignment issues, focusing heavily on improving teeth and jaw position to correct an improper bite. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, focuses purely on aesthetics. For patients who are in need of full mouth rehabilitation, we usually recommend orthodontic treatment to achieve a better restorative result. Another important note is that, unlike with crowns and veneers, orthodontics doesn’t require any “shaving down” of teeth, making it a wonderful, conservative option to achieve a beautiful smile.
It’s important to talk to your dentist about what’s right for you. Every patient is different! In the end, your journey to a healthier mouth begins with a treatment plan outlined by a dental professional.
As you can see, there are many aspects to consider when evaluating if cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics are right for you. If you’re ready to improve your smile or have questions about anything, please feel free to contact us or schedule some time to speak with one of our dental team members. Our team is standing by to answer your questions and to make sure you receive the best care in the most comfortable environment possible.
Dental Arts is a full-service general dentistry and orthodontic practice for the entire family. For more than three decades, we have been providing the highest quality dental and orthodontic care available to the residents of New Orleans. Explore the Dental Arts difference today.
