What Does it Mean to be a Cosmetic Dentist?

Cosmetic dentistry is a term used to describe dental treatments that can improve the appearance of your teeth, but which won’t necessarily do anything for the health of your teeth. These treatments are different from restorative dental care and general dentistry that is designed to protect and preserve your natural teeth and your dental health. For example, treatments such as root canal therapy, dental fillings, tooth extractions, and checkups and cleanings are all procedures that are necessary to preserve your teeth. Usually, cosmetic dentistry is non-essential but it can offer a range of benefits. But, what does it mean to be a cosmetic dentist?

Often a dentist described as being a cosmetic dentist because they have a particular interest in this field and most will have undertaken additional courses and training in specific procedures so that they can offer their patients the very best cosmetic dentistry services. Treatments described as providing cosmetic or aesthetic benefits include teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers, and crowns and bridges. However, there are other treatments that can be provided by a cosmetic dentist and which include orthodontics and dental implants.

What Makes a Good Cosmetic Dentist?

A good cosmetic dentist is often someone who is quite artistic because after all, it’s essential that they enjoy creating beautiful new smiles. It also takes considerable skill to blend artistry with science, combining both to provide you with teeth that look fabulous and which vitally will function correctly, as close as possible to natural teeth.

How Could Cosmetic Dentist Help You?

A cosmetic dentist is experienced in carefully assessing people’s smiles and their dental health. They will want to examine your teeth visually, or sometimes it’s necessary to carry out diagnostic tests, for example, digital dental x-rays to assess areas of your mouth hidden from view. Certainly, here at McLoughlin Dental Care, our dentist Dr. Donald Nimz will also want to spend quite some time just chatting with you. It’s only by talking with you and getting to know you little that he can understand your hopes for improving your smile. Collecting this type of essential information is all part of being an excellent cosmetic dentist. Afterward, he can recommend a suitable treatment plan aimed at achieving or even exceeding your desires and aims for your smile. Your personalized treatment plan is based on your current dental health, and if needed can include more restorative or preventative dental treatments. The aim is to ensure that the outcome of your treatments will provide you with a beautiful and most importantly a healthy smile.

If there is more than one solution, Dr. Nimz will explain each procedure to you, making sure you understand precisely what is involved and how it could help you. Your treatment plan can even be customized to fit your budget and your timeframe, for example, some people only want to make minor adjustments to the appearance of their teeth or might be in a hurry to complete treatment. However, if you know that you’d like to make significant changes to the appearance of your teeth, and especially if you need teeth replacing or repositioning, it’s best to allow plenty of time. That way, you can enjoy the process of seeing your brand-new smile emerge.

Treatments to Rejuvenate Your Smile

If you only want to rejuvenate the appearance of your teeth, then there are some excellent treatments on offer from cosmetic dentists. Possibilities include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and porcelain crowns and bridges. We use the highest quality materials and the very latest techniques, ensuring you can enjoy the outcome for longer.

Teeth Whitening

Most people are familiar with the concept of teeth whitening, and a sparkling smile can look amazing. A professional tooth whitening treatment is a straightforward and cost-effective way to perk up the appearance of your pearly whites in just a few weeks. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Nimz can ensure you whiten safely, and treatment is carefully customized to brighten your teeth comfortably.

Bonding

Dental bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin which is applied directly to the surfaces of your teeth. You’ll find a cosmetic dentist will suggest this treatment if you only want to have minor adjustments to the shape and appearance of your teeth. The effect is subtle yet noticeable and can mend cracks and chips in teeth or may be used to reshape or to realign them slightly.

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells made from porcelain, custom-designed to fit precisely over the front surfaces of teeth. They can change the color of teeth, for example, if a tooth is internally stained and cannot be whitened, and correct the size, and shape of the tooth, or will close or minimize gaps in between teeth. One of the ways Dr. Nimz can use veneers is as a standalone treatment, or they work very well in conjunction with other treatments. For example, veneers can be used with teeth whitening, rather than veneering multiple teeth. Treatment also works well with orthodontics because teeth can be repositioned before covering up any that are less than ideally shaped with dental veneers. It’s an approach that is more conservative rather than veneering multiple teeth and good cosmetic dentists will suggest treatment plans that help to conserve and protect more of your natural tooth structure.

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

Porcelain crowns are perfect for protecting more badly damaged teeth, covering up the entire tooth which protects and preserves it while giving the tooth a far more beautiful appearance. Dental bridges replace missing teeth using crowns fitted over the adjacent teeth as support for the replacement tooth in between. These days the most sophisticated porcelain crowns and bridges are all-ceramic, an option that is highly likely to be suggested by a good cosmetic dentist because of the excellent aesthetics.

All the above treatments can be completed relatively quickly, but other options include orthodontics and dental implants and which although they take a little longer to finish, can provide stunning results. It’s always worth considering all your choices very carefully, and taking a long-term view is vital! Dr. Nimz will always suggest treatments to give you optimal oral health and which are designed to last for as long as possible because that is what it means to be an excellent cosmetic dentist. To discover exactly how a cosmetic dentist could assist you, contact us to schedule your consultation.