Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry refers to a branch of the dental profession that not only improves the function of the teeth, but their appearance as well. The American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty, so there are no restrictions on claiming to be a cosmetic dentist.

The number one requested cosmetic procedure is teeth whitening or bleaching. Although many over the counter alternatives exist, whitening done by a dentist is safer. Bleaching should never be attempted at home. You want a natural look, not a blindingly white smile. One does not want to appear to have a mouthful of Chicklets.

Contouring or reshaping is one of the fastest ways to make a subtle change in your teeth. It can usually be done in one visit and is effective for fixing small chips, cracks, crooked teeth, or in some cases, overlapping teeth. The changes are subtle, but sometimes a millimeter here and there can make a tremendous difference.

Dental bonding is another popular procedure. An enamel like substance is applied to the surface of the tooth. It can then be shaped, hardened and polished. It is helpful for discolored teeth that have not responded to whitening and correcting small gaps between the teeth.

Porcelain veneers are increasingly popular. An enamel like material is bonded directly to the tooth. In some cases the tooth may need some reduction before this is done, but it produces a beautiful, natural looking result.

Dental implants and bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are a lengthy procedure and require a healing period before completion. Properly done, they can last a very long time. Fixed bridges also replace a missing tooth and require crowns to be placed on the teeth to either side of the gap. Fixed bridges are not removable and require serious attention to dental hygiene. Implants may be brushed and flossed as you would your natural teeth.

In the past fillings and other tooth restorations were done with gold, amalgam, or other metals. Newer fillings can be done entirely from porcelain or other composites making them virtually invisible and they are mercury free.

Despite the fact that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, a dentist can be credentialed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Association of Cosmetic Dentists. To do this, the dentist must have extra training and commit to continuing education to keep up with the latest trends and techniques.

Cosmetic dentistry requires not only technical expertise, but an artistic eye. Before you spend thousands of dollars, make sure your dentist is credentialed. If not, take some time to research one who is. A good cosmetic dentist is happy to show off his work with before and after photos and testimonials from satisfied patients.






 




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Cosmetic Dentistry News:

 

Going Into Cosmetic Dentistry EUR Three Indispensable Qualities You .
If you are a student at a dental school, and you are seriously considering going into cosmetic dentistry as a specialization, you could find yourself wondering...

Pediatric Dentistry Office Opens in Hurricane - Main Street Business Journal

Pediatric Dentistry Office Opens in Hurricane
Main Street Business Journal
Infants, kids, teens, and special needs patients attending Hurricane Pediatric Dentistry will be able to play Nintendo, watch movies and view unusual fish .

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Tooth Bus rolls free dental care into New Orleans neighborhoods - NOLA.com

NOLA.com
Tooth Bus rolls free dental care into New Orleans neighborhoods
NOLA.com
While pediatric dentists insist that children should have their teeth checked by the time they're 1 year old, many children don't have their first visit .
Care void takes toll on kids' teethGainesville Sun

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Downturn erases routine dental check-ups, puts patients in savings mode
KLAIPEDA - If you want to find out more about a persons status, ask them to open their mouth. Dont be stunned to find a toothless cavity or bony debris in there, as many crisis-stricken people cannot afford any dental care...

Cosmetic bonding and whitening « Cosmetic Dentistry & Dental .
Before : After : Treatment: Cosmetic bonding and tooth whitening. This treatment is very conservative; we added to, but did not cut away any of Denise's existing teeth. Because of the way this treatment is done there is no drilling, ...

Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry and porcelain veneers .
Dr. Debra King of Atlanta, Georgia performs cosmetic dentistry procedures such as porcelain veneers everyday. She shares how she got...

Should your kids see a pediatric dentist instead of a general dentist? - OregonLive.com (blog)

OregonLive.com (blog)
Should your kids see a pediatric dentist instead of a general dentist?
OregonLive.com (blog)
View full sizeDoug Beghtel/The OregonianSo you want to take your kids to a pediatric dentist, but the kids think they're too old -- Dr. Dustin James has .

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Oral Surgery Dentist Practice, 7 Day Dental Anaheim, Launches Interactive New . - dBusinessNews Los Angeles (press release)

Oral Surgery Dentist Practice, 7 Day Dental Anaheim, Launches Interactive New .
dBusinessNews Los Angeles (press release)
Services explored on the site include pediatric dentistry, cosmetic dentist services, and emergency, oral surgeon, and painless dentistry. .

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What is Cosmetic Dentistry? | Dentistry Blog - Hugejuge.com
Just as there are many different specialties in the field of medicine, there are numerous areas of specialization in dentistry. While general...

 



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