First impressions matter. No matter how shallow that might make our culture, we judge people by their appearance all the time. For better or for worse, American culture – and most cultures around the world — place a value on looking good. Looking good can make a difference in your life.
That’s exactly why your smile is so important. Having a healthy white smile instead of broken, stained, or uneven teeth can help you find a job, or even, a mate. It can help your confidence and self-esteem. Looking good makes you feel good and feeling good makes life better.
Check out these facts from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD):
- Smiling can boost your immune system.
- Smiling can add seven years to your life.
- 88% of those surveyed say smiling makes them feel better.
- 41% say a smile from a stranger makes them happier.
That’s what cosmetic dentistry is all about. It is smile enhancement and it can include simple, non-invasive techniques like bleaching the teeth to make them whiter – or more invasive techniques to close gaps between the teeth or reshape mismatched teeth.
Let’s look more closely at the profession of cosmetic dentistry and what it can do to change your smile – and change your life.
How is Cosmetic Dentistry Different from an Orthodontist?
Cosmetic dentistry may yield the same result, but it’s different from that subset of the profession. Orthodontic treatment uses appliances to straighten crooked teeth. Orthodontists also fix problems with the underlying structures of the jaw and teeth. Orthodontists use braces or other devices to correct bit problems, close gaps, and correct bites.
But the goal of cosmetic dentistry is to help give you a better smile. There are many techniques that can do this; modern dentistry has given us a variety of procedures to help reshaped your existing smile. The next section talks about some of the most common procedures in the field.
What Kinds of Dental Procedures Fall Under Cosmetic Dentistry
Let’s describe some of the simple and more complex procedures that we can undertake to improve your smile. For example:
- We mentioned bleaching; this is a very popular chemical process that eliminates the discoloration caused by medication, coffee, and cigarettes, or even aging.
- Bonding is a tooth-colored gap filler that can last for years. It can smooth out chips, fill small cavities, or even cover the entire tooth to reshape and recolor it.
- Contouring and reshaping is an excellent process for correcting crooked teeth without braces. It can change the shape and position of your teeth and even correct simple bite problems. This can often be done in a single session.
- Veneers are a low-cost alternative to crowns. They are thin porcelain or plastic bonded over the top of a tooth to correct its color and shape. Veneers usually last a little longer than bonding a tooth and you need little to no anesthetic to complete the picture.
But wait – there’s more! Dr. Hadley and his team offer a full range of cosmetic, restorative, and general dental procedures. Call us today!