Patients who have been to a family practice dentist know that the focus is on preventing tooth and gum disease and providing fillings. The emphasis is placed on the health of the teeth.
You go to a general practice dentist for cleanings and checkups, fillings and other generic tooth and mouth issues. Some general practice dentists will do some cosmetic procedures.
A cosmetic dentist, however, places the focus of his practice on the appearance of the teeth. Regardless of specialty, all dentists can perform certain procedures that are the specialty of another, although some choose to limit themselves to cosmetic or restorative procedures.
If you have healthy teeth but they are in need of cosmetic fixing, a cosmetic dentist may be right for you. This could include tooth whitening, fixing gaps or crooked teeth or even helping to realign your jaw.
Whenever a person has cosmetic oral issues, it can severely affect self esteem. This can keep a person from truly smiling and showing their joy.
Whichever procedures a patient chooses, improvements to both anesthesia and equipment mean that they are practically painless. Whitening the teeth is the most popular reason for visiting a cosmetic dentist.
He or she can apply a bleaching solution that will result in whiter teeth. Patients who have stained their tooth surfaces with nicotine, red wine, coffee, or other dyes often find it effective in eliminating such stains.
People whose teeth are unevenly spaced, crooked, or discolored beyond the abilities of bleaching often opt for veneers. These are crafted from composites or porcelain to look like teeth.
Veneers have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, especially as more and more Hollywood actors get them to give themselves a more photo ready smile.
However, they are a very thin layer of material and are glued onto existing teeth. Veneers can be used to cover the entire smile or just one or two teeth.
Teeth can sometimes be repaired by composite bonding. Material is used to fill a cavity or to sculpt a tooth. A special light is then used to harden the material.
Because the dentist can match the color and surfaces of the surrounding teeth, the repair is practically invisible. Implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.
They can be used solely for cosmetic purposes or as an anchor for attaching dentures or bridges. Implants are similar to a crown and post replacement. The normal procedure is to anchor a post to the jawbone, then glue a replacement tooth crafted by the lab to this post.
There are also implants available for some uses that are made in one piece. Some cosmetic dentists specialize in dentures, priding themselves on creating natural looking replacements.
If the patient still has a few remaining healthy teeth, dentures can be crafted that fit over these teeth, eliminating the need to extract them. Posts can also be placed to secure the dentures, allowing the patient to speak, eat, and smile without the fear of slippage.
The dental lab can make indirect fillings for teeth that are broken or decayed. Made from either composites or porcelain, this type of filling provides greater precision in fit. They are glued into place, either as an insert for a cavity or an overlay to cover the entire tooth.
Cosmetic dentists also offer a full mouth makeover. This involves any or all of the tools in his arsenal to make the smile as perfect as is possible.
It may begin with whitening, the application of veneers, and the placement of any implants needed. If there are underlying issues with the bite or muscle structure, the dentist will address those as well.
Most cosmetic dentistry is not covered by dental insurance companies, who consider most of the procedures optional. Many, however, will cover restorations if they are needed as a result of an accident or decay.
Medical insurance may also provide some coverage for dental work that is required due to injury or illness. It is best to get a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to determine what procedure will be the best option for you.
Then find out if your insurance will cover any procedures that were recommended. If not, ask your dentist if they offer payment plans.
Then smile happy!
Author Resource:-
Jack R. Landry has authored many articles relating to general and cosmetic dentistry. He recommends Dentist in Bakersfield, CA.
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