What is /Understanding Aesthetic Dentistry?

Aesthetic dentistry, as the name implies, combines art and science to improve your teeth. This discipline in dentistry often involves a combination of most, if not all the dental specialties as a patient may need veneers or crowns [Prosthodontics], gum therapy [Periodontics], root canal therapy [Endodontics], braces [Orthodontics], or oral surgery [Oral and Maxillofacial surgery] for the final outcome. This process is also popularly known as a 'Smile Makeover'.

Most of us may mistakenly believe that a Hollywood -style smile makeover is the main objective of aesthetic dentistry. Yes, improving the look and brilliance of your smile is certainly part of the smile makeover process, but it is not the ultimate goal.
Instead, this dentistry speciality unite cosmetics with focus on dental health and wellness, and the final outcome is a smile that is natural, healthy, dazzling and long lasting.

The benefits of aesthetic dentistry:

Here is a simple example where aesthetic dentistry is of benefit - a female desiring a brighter smile and straight teeth. She may be in her adolescence, or even a working adult. With the advancements of dentistry technology, a smile can be improved at almost any age, regardless of gender.

A cosmetic-only approach will aim for a celebrity white smile with a set of symmetrical teeth. This is technically correct, even if it may result in looking a bit artificial. An aesthetic approach, however, will take your natural features such as skin tone and your smile line into consideration. A skilled and experienced dentist would then design and combine various techniques to ensure you achieve a smile that matches and fits with your natural features, while ensuring that your teeth and gums are treated and healthy.

Common aesthetic dentistry techniques

At its core, aesthetic dentistry can be as straightforward as a replacement of a damaged tooth or restoring the function and health of your bite with an artificial one. But it can also be as complicated as redesigning your smile after an accident or illness.

Here are some common methods to redesign your smile:

Teeth whitening:

Most teeth whitening methods allow patient to select the shade of whitening. This is minimally invasive and highly effective. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months

Veneers:

Composite or porcelain veneers are common options to hide stains and discolouration. Porcelain veneers usually requires your dentist to reshape the tooth surface and shave down the enamel of the tooth to accommodate the veneer. As its name suggest, the material used is porcelain.
On the other hand, composite veneers are made from composite resin and they are chemically bonded to the surface of your existing teeth.

Cosmetic bonding:

This normally covers a part of your tooth whilst composite veneer covers the entire surface of your tooth. Both are used to improve the aesthetic of your tooth. The material used for composite veneers and bonding is the same which is the composite resin.

Dental crowns:

Constructed out of a variety of materials, a crown is a cap over your tooth. A crown can restore your tooth shape, function, and colour

Dental implants:

A biocompatible replacement tooth root placed in your jawbone to act like the natural root. An implant holds a replacement teeth, such as a crown in place

Invisalign:

This is minimally-invasive and the almost invisible option of braces to fix crooked teeth, closing gaps and align teeth. Invisalign is popular for it improves dental health, symmetry, and your ability to properly clean and care for your teeth

Dentures:

This is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. A denture can be partial or complete and helps restore functionality like chewing. It fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position

Aesthetic dentistry is for everyone

Aesthetic dentistry may sound frivolous and unnecessarily due to its name. However, this philosophy of care pays special attention to the natural health and function of your mouth and it does more than just beautify your smile.

In fact, an aesthetic restoration is likely repairing a dental issue which may cause further complications in the long. For example, a teeth straightening procedure can lower your risk for gum diseases, bad breath and tooth decay in addition to beautifying your smile. Other aesthetic procedures such as veneers restore the shape of your tooth and enhance the brightness besides preventing further enamel damage. Dental implants restore missing and severely damaged teeth and also prevent bone loss and gum disease.

Similarly to many dentistry disciplines, aesthetic dentistry is a type of dental care which aims to achieve total dental wellness and improve the look of your teeth.

In summary, aesthetic dentistry goes beyond just enhancing your smile. It focuses on improving the health and function of your mouth while also beautifying your teeth. Procedures like teeth straightening and veneers not only enhance your appearance but also prevent gum diseases, tooth decay, and enamel damage.
With aesthetic dentistry, you can achieve total dental wellness and a stunning smile.

If you need assistance in finding a dentist, our dental locator site is available on:
https://www.toothcare2u.com/dentist_locator/