Cosmetic dentists are specially trained to fix your smile. He or she is focused more on the appearance of your teeth and the enhancement of your smile than retaining function or curing an oral disease. The practice is part science and part art, and the result is mostly about aesthetics and restoring your self-confidence.
What To Expect During Your Visit
A good cosmetic dentist will ask you to describe in full detail what you like and do not like about your smile. If you have been in an accident, or your smile has fallen into disarray over time, providing the practice with a photo of how you previously looked can help. You may also bring a picture from a magazine or of a celebrity to give the cosmetic dentist an idea of what you wish to look like after treatment.
After assessing your damage and discussing what you would like done, the cosmetic dentist will explain each of your treatment options to you. This is when he or she will discuss prices and the length of treatment with you, and you can decide if the procedures are right for your needs. Afterwards, he or she will conduct a brief oral exam since many cosmetic issues like missing or yellowing teeth can be a consequence of other health problems. Once that is squared away, he or she will begin the process of restoring your smile.
Types Of Procedures
There are many different procedures that these highly trained professionals can perform to improve your smile, but here is a brief list of some of the most common ones:
Bonding - Composite resin is attached to teeth to improve appearance.
Veneers - Hard shells are made to mimic tooth enamel and mask dental imperfections.
Crowns - Porcelain caps are made to cover heavily damaged teeth.
Whitening - Your teeth, along with a cleaning solution, is placed in a custom mouthpiece for hour-long visits.
Braces - Brackets made of metal, ceramic, or plastic are bonded to teeth and wired together to guide misaligned teeth to their correct positions.
Implants - A surgeon implants synthetic teeth surgically into the jawbone to replace those that are missing.
Bridges - False teeth that replace those missing by using those that are nearby as anchors.
Choosing An Office That You Can Trust
The best way to find a cosmetic dentist that you can trust is to contact the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry(AACD) for information. They are the leading national organization for the profession. Many times they will be able to verify the credentials of the office that you are considering, and can give you broad details about the dentist's schooling, advanced training, and certifications.
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