Cosmetic dentistry seems to be getting more and more popular. In fact, by 2023, it’s expected that more than 38 million Americans will have used tooth whitening treatments of some kind.
Teeth whitening is just one of many treatments that Comfort Smiles Dentistry offers. But if you’re new to cosmetic dentistry and unsure whether it’s right for you, you may be wondering where to begin.
In this article, we’ll help you understand what cosmetic dentistry is all about, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
What Is a Cosmetic Dentist?
Cosmetic dentists specialize in enhancing the appearance of your teeth, gums, and bite. But it’s not all about appearances: cosmetic dentists also improve the functionality of your teeth and mouth, often resolving problems related to chewing and speaking. A cosmetic dentist will use high-quality, durable materials to improve the position, size, shape, and alignment of your teeth.
Some of the most common cosmetic dental treatments include:
- Teeth whitening
- Braces and clear aligners
- Porcelain veneers
- Porcelain dental crowns
- Dental bridges
- Dental inlays and onlays
- Composite bonding
- Dental implants
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Dental botox and dermal fillers
- Tooth reshaping and contouring
- Cosmetic gum treatments
If you’ve heard of any of these common procedures before then you already know what cosmetic dentistry is. But how can you know if it’s the right choice for you? Keep reading to find out.
You’re Embarrassed to Smile and Socialize
There are several reasons why you might want to find a good New Orleans dentist for cosmetic dentistry, and we’ll go into more detail below. But if you’re actually embarrassed to smile or show your teeth when you’re around people, chances are you need to visit a cosmetic dentist.
Whether you have chipped or discolored teeth or your smile is crooked, you may feel ashamed to be seen. It can get to such a point that it’s difficult for you to socialize confidently. If this sounds like you, it’s important for your mental health that you do something about it soon. Feeling embarrassed about the way your teeth look can cause you to become lonely and depressed as you become isolated from the world.
From professional teeth whitening treatments to clear braces, a cosmetic dentist can listen to your concerns and help you get the smile you can only dream of now. This just might give you the boost in confidence you need to live a full, happy life.
You Have Missing, Broken, or Discolored Teeth
Maybe your smile doesn’t exactly make you self-conscious, but you still feel like it could be better. This could especially be the case if you have any teeth that are stained or discolored, chipped or cracked, or missing altogether.
Even if it’s not a source of embarrassment or stress, no one wants an uneven smile. Fortunately, there are crowns, bridges, dentures, and even implants that can help make your smile look healthy. For stained or discolored teeth, professional teeth whitening treatments are miles ahead of store-bought treatments in terms of effectiveness.
Teeth that are chipped or cracked are even more critical to have looked at because a broken tooth can be exposed to bacteria and possible infection. If you have a tooth that’s damaged in some way, a cosmetic dentist can easily repair it and make it look like it’s supposed to.
You Realize Your Face Shape Has Changed
If you have a missing tooth or two, it can cause surrounding teeth to shift, and it may even weaken your jawbone. This can result in the shape of your face changing noticeably. Other times, a change in face shape can be a result of a tooth infection causing bone loss.
Dental issues like these can cause your face to change shape and look older. If you’ve started to notice that the contours of your face seem to have changed, it could be a result of one of these dental problems. In any case, you shouldn’t ignore symptoms like these, as they’re likely to get worse over time. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of tooth replacement options and jaw alignment procedures that a cosmetic dentist can provide for you to reverse these changes.
You Have Chronic Headaches or Pressure in Your Jaw
Sometimes if you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it can cause you to feel a terrible pain in your head or jaw. Misaligned or crooked teeth can increase your risk of experiencing temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, as well as chronic headaches. These headaches can cause pain that runs all the way through the muscles around your jaw, head, and shoulders.
If you’ve been experiencing serious pain like this, chances are you’ve already spoken to your doctor or dentist about it. If not, you should seek one out right away. A cosmetic dentist can help with procedures like dental botox and invisible braces to rid you of these unpleasant ailments.
You Experience Unfamiliar Digestive Issues
You read that right: a digestive issue can sometimes be traced back to your teeth, and a cosmetic dental procedure can sometimes be the solution.
When you’re enjoying a full set of straight, healthy teeth, you’re able to chew your food properly. But if any of your teeth are missing or misaligned, you could be chewing your food improperly without even realizing it. Digestive problems like acids reflux, heartburn, and even ulcers can sometimes result.
Once again, a cosmetic dentist can come to your rescue. With a range of options including tooth implants and corrective aligner trays, you‘ll be able to chew your food properly again. Once your teeth are straightened and lined up the way they should be, your digestive issues will be allowed to heal.
You Have Specific Features You’d Like Changed
Some people who are on the fence about cosmetic dentistry simply aren’t sure what they might need it for. They might suspect that their smile could be improved and that a cosmetic dentist could help, but they don’t have a clue what kind of treatment or service they need. However, you might be different. If someone were to ask you what you’d like to change about your smile, and you’d know right away what to tell them, then cosmetic dentistry is probably the right choice for you.
Whether you’re looking for small improvements or a complete makeover, a cosmetic dentist will sit down with you and find out exactly what your needs and desires are for your smile. If you’re able to clearly articulate exactly what you’re looking for, that will simply make the dentist’s job easier when they interview you.
Of course, it isn’t necessary to know exactly how you want your teeth changed or improved. A good dentist will be able to make recommendations based on your existing condition, so that you can walk out of the clinic with the perfect smile for you.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
The most obvious benefit to getting cosmetic dental work done is being able to look better. While that may seem like a surface-level advantage, having a more beautiful smile impacts you at a far deeper level than you might realize. There’s a reason people like to look good — it can improve your feelings of self-worth, which has ripple effects on the way you interact with others. People are likely to respond to you better when you have a straight, healthy-looking smile. If you’ve been avoiding smiling simply because you’re self-conscious about how your teeth look, that can have negative effects on its own, as people might misinterpret your discomfort for unfriendliness. You can imagine how this might affect your chances of getting hired or promoted within a company.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of cosmetic dentistry is the improved self-confidence you can enjoy when you have a smile you are truly proud of. Self-esteem impacts every aspect of your life, from your career to your closest relationships. The better you feel about yourself, the better your life experience is likely to be. It’s really as simple as that.
An enhanced appearance and higher self-worth aren’t the only benefits, however. Your dental health and even your diet can both be improved thanks to some cosmetic dental treatments. Cosmetic dentistry can help protect you against future dental problems. And if you have a missing tooth or an uneven bite, it can be harder to eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
It’s easy to see how cosmetic dental treatments can improve your life for the better. Come to Comfort Smiles Dentistry to see how it can make your life better today.
