Esthetic dental treatments are referred to as smile makeovers. People often become dissatisfied with the way their smile looks, this could mean the colour of their teeth or just the overall look of their smile. Tooth whitening can often be a simple fix to feel confident smiling. It is a procedure that requires upkeep and can be done at home or in the dental chair. Teeth whitening is a procedure that removes stains and improves the natural colour of the teeth.
Orthodontic treatment via braces or Invisalign is considered cosmetic dentistry as most people usually go through it to improve their appearance and confidence. Orthodontic treatment can be medically required, if there are speech impediments, difficulty chewing, Jaw pain or grinding and clenching due to teeth not meeting properly. When you are simply just dissatisfied with the way your smile looks due to crooked teeth this is considered cosmetic.
Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure that changes the shape of your gums. Your dentist may remove any excess gum tissue that could be causing a gummy smile or an excessive amount of gum showing when you smile.
Most people over time show wear on their front teeth, this could include chips and breaks. Veneers provide great esthetic results, so many people prefer them over teeth whitening or orthodontic treatment. They will improve the colour and overall appearance of the teeth. Often people get veneers ranging from two to eight teeth, this could depend on the amount of wear, colour matching, alignment and look of your smile.
When it comes to dental coverage, most esthetic dentistry isn’t a covered expense. Your insurance may pay a percentage of orthodontic treatment or if the treatment is medically necessary, your dental insurance plan may cover a portion.
Almost all esthetic dentistry patients are women, usually aged between 30 and 50. The people that benefit most from esthetic dentistry are those with stained teeth, gaps between teeth, missing teeth, and misaligned teeth. This often makes people unhappy with their smile and cosmetic dentistry can improve their self-confidence.
When deciding if esthetic dentistry is for you, you need to consider how important your smile is to you and what it does for your self-confidence. Another important factor to consider is cost. Talk to your Dentist and decide what is the best option to have the teeth to keep you smiling.
Dr. Michael Dolynchuk is a General Dentist practicing in Caroline and Red Deer.