Popular Procedures for a Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist is an oral health care professional who instead of focusing on the hygiene and general health of a person’s teeth, focuses on the overall appearance of the person’s oral cavity. In other words, this kind of dental professional is more inclined to perform elective procedures or surgeries on a patient than necessary ones. This does not mean, however, that he or she is not capable of doing the basic dental handiwork that most general dentists are trained to do. In some cases, some treatments are the same for the general dentistry field and that of cosmetic dentistry. 

Fillings

This is a basic procedure that can be done by all dentists. In spite of this being basic, the fact that it improves on the appearance of the individual's oral cavity means that it is also cosmetic based. This is particularly true for individuals with the older and darker fillings that were the trend several decades ago. A cosmetic dentist can help that individual improve the tooth's looks by changing the old and dark filling with a composite that will match the color of the particular tooth. Some fillings also help to complete gaps between the teeth or those that have been cracked. They basically have the same appearance as the damaged tooth and can be used accordingly, although with caution because these may have the tendency to crack or to chip off. The composite is usually hardened with the use of a special light that does the job faster than just letting it dry on its own.

Whitening

This procedure has different techniques. The most effective is the one supervised by the cosmetic dentist. The whitening process may take several weeks and several applications of the substance or the treatment. Our pearly whites can be easily stained with the regular consumption of particular foods and beverages. Smoking can also contribute to this as well as poor oral hygiene. The overall effects of the discoloration can be seen as unpleasant and off putting. Many people need the correct and proper supervision of dentists in order to have the full effects of the bleaching methods. 

Veneers

Dental veneers can be seen as similar to a manicure for our oral cavity. These are applied to damaged or less than desirable teeth to offer the individual a perfect or near perfect smile. Porcelain or composite laminates are used for this treatment. They are boded to the offending tooth to cover it up and to provide a perfect look. Discoloration, chips and damage can be easily corrected by these. These can be another option for teeth whitening as well as for composite bonding. A cosmetic dentist is usually called upon to perform this procedure since there may be some skill and finesse necessary to gain the right appearance. Since these can be easily removed some caution is advised for those who will be wearing them. 

These are just a few of the many procedures and treatments that a cosmetic dentist may be called upon to perform. There are other, more complicated ones that may fit the patient’s requirements and needs.