What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

A cosmetic dentist can enhance the look of your teeth using a variety of methods. Here we take a look at the kinds of work this type of dentist does.

A cosmetic dentist can do a number of different procedures to give you a smile that will be stunning: not just to yourself, but to anyone else who may be watching! The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to whiten the teeth and to enhance the appearance of them. This type of dental provider does not do routine examinations on the teeth, nor does he or she fill the teeth or do corrective or restorative work. Regular family dentists are the ones you go to for regular maintenance of your teeth and gums. These dentists help their patients to keep their teeth as healthy as possible. Cosmetic dentists on the other hand can give you the smile that you have always wanted or can give you back the smile you lost.

If your teeth have become discolored because of smoking, coffee, tea, prescription drugs or the process of aging, then a dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures can do what needs to be done to get your teeth white and bright looking again. A mold will be taken of your teeth at the dental office. This is called an impression. This mold will then be used to construct a plastic tray or mouthpiece that you will apply the bleach to at home and from there it will be worn over your teeth to whiten them. You will use it until the point where you have reached the level of whiteness that appeals to you.

It is important that you do not get any of the bleach on your gums as it has the potential to irritate them. It is also important to note that some people's teeth respond better to the whitening or bleaching process than do others. Those with a yellow cast to their teeth will notice more successful results than those whose teeth have more of a gray undertone to them. The teeth may be sensitive for the first day or two after bleaching is done. The cosmetic dentist should be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for bleaching or not.

For those who have tried whitening their teeth but have not had the results they hoped for, veneers are another option worth trying. Most veneers are made from either composite or porcelain and they can do a fine job of covering up stains on the teeth or of making less than white teeth look their whitest.

Veneers generally last up to a period of 10 years or more. An impression is taken of the teeth, which is then used to construct the veneer. A veneer can be thought of as a covering for a tooth. You should not feel any pain when it placed over your tooth. The covering will be affixed to the tooth and no one will be able to tell that it is any different than a real tooth. You will be very pleased at the end result of a veneer!

A cosmetic dentist will frequently work with patients who choose to get veneers. In some cases, some reduction on the tooth may have to be completed before the veneer can be put in place. Veneers are one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry available today. 

Article Tags: Cosmetic Dentist

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR