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.
