What are the Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Jul 12, 2023

Many people think of cosmetic dentistry as just dental treatments that improve the look of your teeth, like getting them whitened, but you’d be surprised how many dental treatments fall within the cosmetic dentistry branch of dental health. Let’s take a look at the different types of cosmetic dentistry and discover the often misunderstood difference between general and cosmetic dentistry. 

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is focused on improving the appearance of a person’s smile. Dental offices that offer cosmetic dental services often treat things like: 

  • tooth discoloration
  • misaligned teeth
  • teeth that are misshapen
  • chipped or cracked teeth
  • gaps or spaces between teeth

Difference between Cosmetic and General Dentistry

It isn’t uncommon for patients to look at that list and think, “But isn’t that regular dentistry?!” While the appearance of a smile and the alignment of your teeth do have an impact on your overall dental health, there are differences to note between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry:

  • a general dentist is a primary dental care provider
  • preventative dental care services are offered by general dentists, like teeth cleanings, dental fillings, bridges, and crowns
  • Cosmetic dental services focus on beautifying a smile and offer treatments that improve the appearance of teeth and gums rather than restoring health and function.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

There are many types of cosmetic dental treatments, with the primary types of cosmetic dental services being:

Teeth Whitening

Also known as “teeth bleaching”, this dental procedure brightens and whitens the teeth from any discoloration or staining. It’s important to note that whitening done at a dental office is different and more powerful than the kind that can be bought at the store. Though, there is still an at-home option for whitening performed by a dentist. 

Veneers

This is one of those dental services many people are surprised to learn falls under cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or other materials that are custom-made for your teeth and cemented to the front side of a tooth. Veneers are used to treat many dental conditions, such as a crooked tooth, discolored or chipped teeth, and to cover spaces between teeth. 

Implants

Another surprise type of dental treatment that falls beneath the “cosmetic” umbrella, a dental implant is a metal device used to replace missing teeth. The implant acts as the tooth root and can anchor artificial teeth like crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Crowns

Crowns, or caps, are custom-made to fit over an entire tooth after it has been prepared. They’re usually made of acrylic or porcelain and are fused to metal to treat poorly shaped or badly decayed teeth, broken or chipped teeth, or have had large fillings. Also, a dental treatment that isn’t usually considered cosmetic, but it most certainly is.

Tooth Bonding Orthodontic Treatment

Most people see orthodontic dental treatments as braces and pretty much only for kids or teenagers, but many adults get cosmetic dental treatments to realign their teeth. Also, metallic braces aren’t the only solution for adults, now there is Invisalign. Using clear aligners that are created from computer-generated images and impressions of your mouth, a series of molds are created to move teeth into the desired position. Over the months, Invisalign pushes the teeth steadily using gentle pressure to create tooth movement and correct them. 

Dental Health Can Be Cosmetic & Beneficial

Many of the dental treatments listed help both your overall dental health and improve the appearance of your smile. The main difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry is that one is considered elective and the other is important to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Here at Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic, we strive to make dental care affordable, and accessible to all of our patients. We will work with you to find a treatment plan that works for your financial situation.

If you have questions about any of the services above, our team of compassionate professionals can help you understand all of your options. Contact us now or give us a call at (780) 705-9866.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Worth it?

Nov 8, 2021

A healthy smile is more than having good oral health, it’s tied to self-confidence and overall wellness, which is what cosmetic dentistry helps with. A smile is one of the first things people will notice about you, and it makes sense that people want to invest in having the kind of smile they’re proud to show off. 

If you’re curious whether or not cosmetic dentistry is worth it, read below to see what it entails, the different types of cosmetic dentistry, and the benefits of having it done. 

 

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is any dental procedure whereby a dentist’s goal is to improve the appearance of a smile, including the teeth’ position, size, shape and color, gums, and jaw bite. If you’ve ever sought out a dentist for:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Chipped or broken tooth
  • Teeth whitening
  • Closing gaps

Then you’ve been looking for cosmetic dentistry. A common example of cosmetic dentistry is braces, though it’s a bit of a gray area as to why a patient would need braces determines if it’s medical or cosmetic. The most simple way to explain what cosmetic dentistry is is by describing it as any dental procedure that isn’t essential to the health of your teeth, gums, or mouth. That, of course, doesn’t mean there aren’t other benefits to other areas of your wellness. 

 

Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

To better understand if cosmetic dentistry is worth it, you first need to know the many different types of procedures that fall under that category. Many cosmetic dental procedures are near painless and have almost no recovery time, so if you’re worried about having to reorder your week, you likely won’t have to beyond the appointment. While this list doesn’t include every procedure that falls under the cosmetic umbrella, it will give you a look at some of the options available to you:

  •  Dental Veneers: Veneers are usually made from a medical-grade ceramic and specifically for the patient getting them. Dental veneers resemble natural teeth and are applied to the front of each tooth using an adhesive. The goal is to cover cracked or damaged enamel, noticeable gaps, and crooked teeth.
  • Crowns and Bridges: Dental bridges are used to fill the space between missing teeth and are one of those procedures that can also be considered medically necessary rather than just cosmetic. They’re often used as a less invasive and more affordable option instead of dental implants, though they share the same goal as other types of dental restorations.
  • Orthodontics: From braces to invisible teeth straightening, each is made specifically for the patient and is used to straighten teeth. This is another procedure that can be both cosmetic and medical, as crooked teeth may cause severe issues in your mouth or, if minor misalignment, can give more confidence in your smile.
  • Teeth Whitening: So many of our favorite foods and drinks can dull the whiteness of our teeth, so it’s no wonder why many people become interested in cosmetic dentistry at one point or another. Having teeth whitening performed is one of the fastest and most popular cosmetic dental procedures that yield great results while restoring confidence in your smile. 

 

The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

It’s unfortunate that cosmetic dentistry is sometimes considered just vanity when there is a range of benefits to overall wellness and self-esteem. Below you’ll find a list of some of the positive side-effects of that make cosmetic dentistry worth it:

  • Long-lasting results: many cosmetic dentistry procedures have results that can last more than 10-years, minimizing the money spent on reclaiming the smile you’re wanting.
  • Headache relief: crooked or misaligned teeth are known to cause headaches. Having them straightened through cosmetic dentistry helps to reduce or even eliminate them.
  • Improved dental hygiene: People who have a cosmetic dentistry procedure performed tend to become more invested in their oral health following the work done. Inspired by their new smile, patients report picking up better dental hygiene routines and regular dental appointments to maintain their smiles.
  • Improved self-esteem: When people dislike their teeth they tend to hide their smiles and fear how others perceive their mouth. By being confident and proud in your oral health and smile, your day-to-day interactions with people become more comfortable as are you to fully express yourself in the face. 

Don’t let anyone convince you that cosmetic dentistry is just a vanity project, your self-confidence and liking the way you look is important. Beyond your self-esteem, you can see that cosmetic dentistry is worth it for the other positive side effects as well. 

If you’re interested in having cosmetic dentistry , we have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.