Cosmetic dentistry is the term used for any dental procedures that improve the aesthetic appearance of a person’s smile, including teeth, bite and/or gums. Cosmetic dentistry doesn’t necessarily improve the function of a person’s teeth, but it can change almost everything else. Two dental specialties focus primarily on the appearance of a patient’s teeth. They are prosthodontics and orthodontics.
Many cosmetic dentistry therapies are performed safely every day and are virtually risk-free. Your cosmetic dentist might perform any of the following common restorative dentistry procedures:
- Veneers – thin wafers of porcelain or composite resin material that are bonded directly to the surface of your natural tooth. Tooth reduction through enameloplasty prior to application may be necessary.
- Bonding – dental composite material added to the tooth’s surface, sculpted into the proper shape, then hardened and polished to resemble natural tooth material.
- Dental crowns – restorative work to preserve a tooth with an infected root.
- Dental bridges – restorative work that bridges the space left by acutely gapped teeth or by missing teeth.
- Enameloplasty – the removal of tooth structure to reshape a tooth. This improves the appearance of a tooth by correcting a small chip or altering the length, position or shape of a tooth.
- Gingivectomy – the removal of any gum tissue. An example of this is a gum lift, which raises and shapes the gum line, giving the illusion of longer teeth.
- Teeth bleaching/whitening – the lightening of the surface of the tooth. This is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dental therapies.
- Gum depigmentation – the lightening of the surface of the gum tissue.
If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure and you live in the Central Falls, RI area, contact our office today. You may have many options available to meet your particular smile needs.
