What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Do you have a slightly crooked tooth that has always bothered you? Or maybe it is the fact that your teeth are a little yellow? Fortunately, there are easy and affordable cosmetic dentistry solutions for these problems. Cosmetic dentistry at Cornerstone Family Dentistry describes any dental procedures that are designed to improve the appearance of your smile. While many immediately think of teeth whitening or veneers, there are many cosmetic procedures that can help improve your smile. Below is more information to help you determine what procedure may be the right solution for your needs.

Is cosmetic dentistry a specialty?

You may be surprised to learn that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty. Any dentist can perform cosmetic procedures without additional training or certification requirements. This is a bonus if you have a dentist you love and are looking for a simple procedure. However, this can also mean that the cosmetic skill level of dentists can vary widely from one to another. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is an organization with established standards for cosmetic dentistry who help to uphold the quality of procedures being performed. Today the AACD has over 6,000 members. While any dentist can perform cosmetic dentistry procedures, dentists with AACD credentials are dedicated to meeting AACD standards.

Popular cosmetic dentistry procedures

There may be many dental procedures you are familiar with that you never considered to be cosmetic procedures. This may be because many of the common cosmetic procedures improve appearance and have other benefits. Here is a list of some of the most common or popular cosmetic procedures performed for both aesthetic and functional purposes:

  • Tooth whitening: Professional whitening is usually performed in a simple procedure in the dental clinic to minimize yellowing, discoloring or staining.
  • Dental bonding: dental bonding is a tooth-colored putty applied to teeth to change their shape, size, or minimize gaps. Once the putty hardens it is polished to create a healthy and natural looking tooth.
  • Veneers: If your teeth are stained, discolored, or have been damaged overtime, veneers are designed and custom-made to fix a multitude of problems. Veneers act as covers attached to the front of the teeth, improving look and function.
  • Dental implants: Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option for a missing tooth or a tooth that needs to be removed. Implants look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth and can go a long way to restoring a smile.

Benefits of cosmetic dental procedures

Cosmetic dentistry solutions are simple procedures performed by dentists that can result in a big and significant change to your smile. A simple procedure will not only improve the appearance of your teeth, but also lift your self-esteem and boost your confidence. Put simply, the goal of cosmetic dentistry is to restore or repair damaged teeth. But the benefits of the procedures may be much greater. Many cosmetic dentistry procedures help with appearance of teeth, but also can help improve their function, your overall oral health, and your quality of life.

More on Cosmetic Dentistry : Cosmetic Dental Procedures

 

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Cornerstone Family Dentistry Reviews

Cornerstone Family Dentistry Chapel Hill NC

High-Quality Dental Care

At Cornerstone Family Dentistry in Chapel Hill, all our services are performed with the patient in mind. We want you to feel comfortable in the dental chair, confident in our work, and most importantly, we want you to fall in love with your smile again. If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions about cosmetic procedures that we offer, please contact us at (919) 595-1010.