Contact lenses help you to look great and feel good about yourself. If you're interested in appearance enhancements such as contact lenses, you might also be interested in the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.
Dental Specialties
There are nine specialty fields of dentistry that deal with specific dental conditions and treatments. Of those, two are most closely associated with procedures that provide both functional and cosmetic benefit.
- Orthodontics deals with tooth and oral structure development. Orthodontists treat irregular and abnormal dental development, and problems with dental bites, which are at times caused by TMJ, by using orthodontic appliances commonly called braces.
- Prosthodontics focuses on tooth restoration and replaces missing natural teeth (dentures, implants, crowns, and dental bridges).
Cosmetic Dentistry
Many dentists practice general dentistry and are not in one of the nine specialty fields. They may perform cosmetic dentistry, which is not a recognized specialty; it is an area of practice that cuts across specialty lines and is often practiced by general dentists. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth and can range from an extensive smile makeover to simple and relatively inexpensive teeth whitening.
Cosmetic dentists perform a number of procedures including:
Dental implants have artificial roots that are implanted into a patient’s jaw to hold a bridge or tooth. Dental implants are an ideal option for people with good oral health who have lost teeth to injury or to disease. Dental implants can provide natural looking teeth.
Dental veneers are thin, porcelain veneer or composite material shells designed to cover the front tooth surface to improve the color and shape of the teeth. The veneer shells are bonded to the front of the tooth changing the shape, size, and color. Veneers are ideal for patients who have gaps in their teeth or for patients for whom whitening is not successful. The cost of dental veneers are not commonly covered by dental insurance, however patients should check their individual dental plan for specific information.
Teeth whitening is a popular procedure because dentists can bleach stains and discolorations on one or more teeth. Though teeth whitening is not permanent, teeth whitening can dramatically improve the appearance of stained and discolored teeth.
