subject: Cosmetic Dentistry: From Teeth Whitening To Complete Smile Makeovers [print this page] Being a cosmetic dentist is more of a marketing term than a technical or medical one. Actually, any dentist, whether he or she is referred to as a cosmetic dentist, probably has some knowledge of procedures that prioritize the aesthetic appearance of teeth. Therefore, a cosmetic dentist in Vancouver WA or elsewhere is probably using the term to show that he or she is particularly well-trained in such procedures.
Basically, such procedures are all about improving the look of your teeth, rather than being about essential cleaning, repair, treatment of infection, etc. Of course, there are some procedures that are both "essential" and to do with aesthetics. For instance, this may be said about some cases where the patient needs to have a rotted tooth extracted. The patient will be removing an unsightly tooth (and possibly getting an artificial replacement or dentures), as well as preventing the spread of infection. Certain orthodontic procedures may also be essential to the health of teeth. For example, a child may have crooked teeth which may prevent new permanent teeth from descending. Therefore, it is essential that the crooked teeth be moved out of the way.
On the other hand, other procedures are more clearly or purely cosmetic. These can include teeth whitening, a very popular and relatively affordable procedure that is quite the hit now that standards for tooth whiteness are on the rise. However, people with problems like cavities are advised to fix those first before they start the whitening procedure. Professional whitening is, needless to say, more effective and far safer than at-home whitening kits.
Veneers can also be used to improve appearance (though in extreme cases they are protective, too, if the tooth surface is much damaged). They can be stuck onto teeth in order to make them appear to have a more regular shape and cleaner appearance. Though the very first veneers were not made to last "indeed, they were often only suitable for actors who would just use them for performances" the improvement of adhesive materials (resin glue is now used). However, nowadays, you can get veneers to stay on for decades.
As patients become more and more conscious about the appearance of their teeth, dentistry has tried to keep pace. A basic procedure like a tooth filling now has a cosmetic aspect: filling materials can be the approximate color of the tooth so that they are less obvious. For more heavy-duty procedures, do see a cosmetic dentist who is up-to-date with the latest processes, and who can tell you whether that new procedure you just heard about is the answer to your prayers or just a dodgy fad.
by: Thomas Getch
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
