What Dental Concerns Does Cosmetic Dentistry Address?
Our mouths are like fingerprints. Each is unique and requires special consideration. Cosmetic dentists take a customized approach to each patient, blending their understanding of biology, mechanics and aesthetics. Most commonly, cosmetic dentistry addresses these primary areas of concern:
Discoloration. Perhaps one of the most common dental complaints is embarrassment around stained or yellowing teeth. Fortunately, this is one of the least complex fixes. Cosmetic dentistry can provide professional whitening services for permanently discolored teeth; and while whitening can be done at home, cosmetic dentists are able to provide much more effective, less-irritating and longer lasting results than at-home options. Often, many of these services also include reusable molds which can then be taken home along with a supply of medical-grade teeth whitener.
Functionality barriers. Damaged or decayed teeth can not only be painful, it can also cause problems with eating, drinking or talking. Often, teeth with significant damage will require a dental crown or a cap to cover a damaged tooth. In other instances, dental bridges are used to restore multiple teeth at once. Many patients look to cosmetic dentists for implants when the use of dentures has become too cumbersome and messy.
Poor alignment. While aesthetics are of course a component of cosmetic dentistry, alignment issues are also addressed. When overlooked, misalignment can not only damage the teeth and gums, but it can also cause chronic pain and a cascade of other health issues, such as headaches, or temporomandibular joint disorder (otherwise known as TMJ.) In extreme circumstances, teeth may also crack.