What Is Considered a Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on issues that affect how your teeth look. The treatments focus primarily on improving the appearance of teeth, so you do not typically get any restorative benefits from these treatments.

However, some cosmetic dentistry procedures (for example, crowns) do also provide restorative benefits. In this case, a crown can be used to hide a range of cosmetic issues, and it restores the bite function of the tooth if its chewing surfaces have been damaged.

Popular cosmetic dentistry procedure

Cosmetic dentists have learned much over the years, and there are many ways to address an aesthetic issue that might be affecting one’s teeth. In many cases, there is more than one treatment option that addresses a patient’s needs, and it often comes down to other factors, like the person’s budget, to determine which option works best for them. Examples of treatments that fall under the banner of cosmetic dentistry include the following.

1. Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening treatments improve the whiteness of a person’s teeth. Bleaching agents, like hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen carbamide, are used to get this done. A customized mouth tray is typically used to dispense the whitening product and prevent it from getting into soft tissues in the mouth, which can lead to irritation.

Teeth whitening treatments last about 60 to 90 minutes on average, and one session can improve the color of teeth by eight shades. A laser can be used to speed up the process.

2. Composite bonding

Composite bonding is another popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that has many uses. It can be used to restore the appearance of a broken tooth or hide stains that cannot be removed with teeth whitening. Composite bonding can also be used to close spaces between teeth. It is a non-invasive treatment that can be completed in as little as 45 minutes and can lead to instant results that can last over five years.

3. Enamel reshaping

This cosmetic dentistry treatment is used to get rid of minor chips and imperfections. It involves smoothing out parts of a tooth with a grinder to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. It only requires one trip to the dentist.

4. Veneers

Veneers are used to cover up flaws that affect the front parts of teeth. They are cemented into place, and the veneer looks just like a real tooth. Veneers tend to lead to the most significant improvements when it comes to fixing cosmetic issues. These restorations allow dentists to craft a smile that the patient wants. Issues that veneers can be used to fix include stains, gaps between teeth, poorly aligned teeth, deformed teeth, and short teeth.

We perform cosmetic treatments that enhance your smile

There is no point in being unsatisfied with your smile when a trip to the dentist is all it takes to fix many aesthetic issues. Call or visit our Dallas clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here or call Dallas Laser Dentistry at (469) 838-5292 for an appointment in our Dallas office.