You’ve heard of cosmetic treatments around the world of plastic surgery, where specialists restore, reconstruct, or alter sections of a patient’s body to provide them with an enhanced look. Cosmetic treatments are available in dentistry, too. Cosmetic dentistry specifically deals with restorations and reconstructions of a patient’s teeth. Unlike general cosmetic treatments, cosmetic dentistry’s goal is to enhance a person’s smile, rather than other regions of the body. Treatments that fall under this category include teeth whitening, veneers, gum contouring, and orthodontics, and more.
Teeth Whitening
No matter how well you may take care of your dental hygiene at home (brushing regularly, flossing daily, etc.), sometimes your teeth may not stay whitened as easily as you may want. Other factors, like age and normal wear, can cause your teeth to naturally stain or yellow regardless of practicing good dental care. This is why dentists often offer teeth whitening treatments to their patients. Some dentists may offer an in-office treatment, where the dentist may apply a bleaching solution to your teeth during your visit, while others can offer a home teeth whitening kit for you to use in the comforts of your own home.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are meant to be fitted over your natural teeth. The goal of veneers is to mask the imperfections your teeth may have, from stubborn stains that can’t be easily removed with a whitening treatment, to small chips.
Gum Contouring
Although it is less commonly known, gum contouring has been sought after by many patients. Cosmetic gum contouring involves minor surgery that is meant to reshape your gums in order to give them a more level appearance.
Orthodontic Treatments
Orthodontic treatments are one of the most popular treatments in dentistry next to teeth whitening. Orthodontics are classified as any method used to help properly re-align the teeth and jaw. Popular methods used in orthodontic treatments include clean braces/aligners, expanders, retainers, bumpers, headgears, and more.
