Tips on Effectively Whitening Teeth with Braces

When you wear braces, your teeth become more prone to stains and discolorations. That’s because teeth are that much harder to get to, thanks to metal braces that get in the way of brushing and flossing. For this same reason, many people with traditional braces feel restricted when it comes to their options in cosmetic dentistry.

Improving Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

As one of the most central (figuratively and literally) components of your facial appearance, your smile plays a very important role. It allows you to express your feelings particularly when you’re happy, and a charming smile is often enough to win over the attention and/or affection of another.

It can be harsh, though, to be born with crooked and unsightly teeth, which could impair your appearance greatly. Fortunately, you can undergo cosmetic dentistry to have your teeth enhanced and made more aesthetically-pleasing.

Cosmetic dentistry is concerned with the appearance of teeth, and it involves various procedures that fix a patient’s smile. While considered a separate field from general dentistry, it isn’t unusual to find general dentists who practice cosmetic procedures. Often, cosmetic dentistry overlaps with orthodontics—a dentistry specialty in improper bites—and some dentists offer both.

What can cosmetic dentistry fix in your smile? If you have stained and/or yellowing teeth, a cosmetic dentist can offer to whiten it. Are your teeth too damaged to look any appealing? Consider having veneers fitted over your teeth, with help from your dentist. Worried about your misaligned and crooked teeth? Your dentist will have dental braces or aligners that you can use to set your teeth into place.

Whatever your aesthetic problem is with your teeth, a cosmetic dentist has the answer for it.

The Latest Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has become a popular trend amongst many people in need of better-looking smiles. Thanks to it, there is no need to suffer from crooked or damaged teeth. Thanks to recent innovations in this field of dentistry, in turn, these people will be able to achieve a great smile in the most natural way.

How Cosmetic Dentistry can Improve Your Smile

Any permanent tooth that gets knocked out is lost for good, and the only way to regain your perfect smile is to have dentures made or opt for dental implant surgery. This is what most people think about cosmetic dentistry in general, and while it is a fairly accurate depiction, it is ultimately a rather limited perspective. The practice offers more than just artificial tooth replacements, however, as even those with a complete set of healthy teeth sometimes work with a cosmetic dentist simply to improve their smile.

 

Many people, for instance, opt for teeth whitening treatments that remove discolorations and tough stains on the teeth. Meanwhile, those with misshapen incisors, canines, and molars can have crowns and caps installed to hide these imperfections in a jiffy. Crowns are also used to treat chipped or cracked teeth that are recovering from serious fractures. Other dentists specialize in teeth shaping which, as the name implies, changes the shape of a tooth by removing or scraping off some of the enamel.

 

These dental procedures are usually quick and painless, although not everyone can qualify for them. Some people may have sensitive teeth and gums that may be irreparably damaged through cosmetic dentistry. It is highly recommended that you consult with your dentist first before you undergo any of these procedures.

The Separate World of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry may not be fully recognized as a specialty, but that doesn’t make it any different as far as credentials are concerned. Even the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has standards in certifying cosmetic dentists, both within and outside the United States. Cosmetic dentists need to learn the ropes of the profession as much as general dentists do. After all, it’s not like teeth whitening is as simple as putting chemicals on teeth.

Whether or not a person chooses to pursue cosmetic dentistry, he’s still required to take a course on general dentistry. Nothing speaks of quality dental service better than knowing the nooks and crannies of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentists, even after graduation, continue to be educated in cosmetic dentistry technology via seminars and research papers. The field even has its own certification board, the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry—albeit not recognized by the ADA.

In the end, cosmetic dentists are no different from other dentists in terms of credentials. It’s unlikely that the field will be considered a specialty anytime soon, but learning the skills necessary won’t be any less of a requirement in becoming a professional cosmetic dentist. While most cosmetic dentists today also licensed in general dentistry, quality shouldn’t be much of a concern.