Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Dentistry

There was a time when one visited a dentist only when faced with pain and discomfort in the tooth, gums, or jaw. Even then, it was with extreme reluctance due to the fear of the drill. Well, it’s no longer the case, what with a number of advancements in the scope of dentistry, and the technology related to it. As people become more aware of their appearance and the need to look their best, they are opting for cosmetic dentistry, to improve their smile lines and overall facial appearance. The many procedures available in cosmetic dentistry include:

• Teeth Whitening: This is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry, and helps bleach stained or discolored teeth using chemical bleaching.
• Bonding: This procedure is used to remove spaces between teeth, and correct defects like chipped, cracked or broken teeth.
• Veneers: Veneers are customized porcelain or plastic shells that cover the front teeth, and are superior to bonding in terms of appearance and longevity.
• Crowns: Crowns or caps provide complete coverage for a tooth, and are useful when a tooth becomes discolored, damaged or misshapen. This also helps restore normal functionality after a root canal procedure or a dental implant.
• Enamel Shaping and Contouring: This process is usually combined with bonding, and involves enhancing dental appearance by removing and/or contouring dental enamel. It may help alter the length and shape of the teeth, and also correct minor bite problems.
• Braces: Braces are placed to reposition the teeth, and correct problems like crooked or crowded teeth, incorrect jaw position, irregular bite, etc. They work by applying pressure on teeth over a lengthy period of time.
• Bridges: Bridges are used to replace missing teeth caused by tooth decay, accidents, etc., and help restore the appearance of your mouth.
• Implants: Implants are also used for replacing missing teeth. They are a more expensive but a better solution than bridges as they do not require reducing adjacent teeth.
• Periodontal Plastic Procedures: Other procedures include correcting uneven gum line, exposed tooth roots, indentations in jawbones or gums, or correcting teeth that appear too short or too long.

Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Dentistry

Pros:

• -Enhances your facial appearance, and subsequently, your confidence.
• -Removes stains.
• -Corrects tooth defects like broken and chipped teeth.
• -Treats gum related problems.
• -Instills good habits to promote a healthy oral well-being.

Cons:

• -It can be expensive, especially the more complex procedures like veneers and implants. Weigh the need for such procedures carefully with the expense involved, and find out about payment plans and insurance coverage.
• -Some of these treatments may cause pain both during and after procedure, and require pain medication as well as local anesthesia.
• -Post-procedure care involves an adequate amount of rest as well as avoiding certain types of food. To ensure longevity, you may need to permanently avoid certain foods that can cause damage to veneers and crowns.

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming popular today not just due to improved aesthetics of your face, but also the practical purpose it serves by correcting gum and teeth issues.

Boost your appearance and your self confidence. Call an expert dentist today.