Dentists who specialize in cosmetic dentistry prioritize the appearance of your teeth and gums. That is not the same thing as saying that a cosmetic dentist in Chestermere is not concerned about the health of your teeth. Of course, they are. But when providing cosmetic services, a dentist in Chestermere is focused on helping you achieve your goals for a more beautiful smile, straighter teeth, and picture-perfect gums.
As it turns out, healthy teeth and gums tend to be more beautiful teeth and gums and to produce more attractive and confident-seeming smiles. As a result, there’s a lot of overlap between the concerns of general dentists and the priorities of cosmetic dentists. In addition, many cosmetic dentistry procedures also achieve or build upon general dentistry practices and procedures. Here are a dozen procedures that fall squarely within the field of cosmetic dentistry (even if they have a role to play in other dental specializations as well):
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Teeth straightening with braces or aligners
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Inlays and Onlays
- Composite bonding
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Tooth reshaping and contouring
- Gum contouring
- Botox and dermal fillers
- Dental implants
Do you need a cosmetic dentist?
The word “need” is a tricky one in this context, especially when so many people are self-conscious about prioritizing their cosmetic desires and goals. No, it is not selfish or vain to be interested in the beauty of your teeth, gums, and smile. Just how your teeth appear to you and to the outside world forms a significant component of your personal confidence, emotional well-being, and confidence. All those things contribute to a willingness to engage in the world socially and professionally in a way that is fulfilling and rewarding. And, if that’s not enough, cosmetic dental procedures almost always contribute to healthier teeth that contribute to improved overall general health as well.
Back to our question, then. Do you need a cosmetic dentist? Let’s put it this way. Here are four very common situations in which people reach out to a cosmetic dentist in Chestermere and ask what services they provide. Do any of them apply to you?
You’d benefit from cosmetic dentistry if… you’re ashamed of your teeth
Missing teeth, discolored, and crooked teeth often make people feel embarrassed and reluctant to smile freely during intimate encounters, at social gatherings and special occasions, and in photographs of moments worth capturing forever. Over time, that embarrassment and reluctance to engage with others can lead to exclusion and loneliness. Will cosmetic dentistry ensure you’ll never be lonely? No, but a cosmetic dentist near you can help unleash your truest and brightest smile.
You’d benefit from cosmetic dentistry if… tooth loss is causing digestive issues or diet changes
Tooth loss often requires that people forego important nutrition sources such as fresh fruit vegetables and protein sources such as red meat. Losing the nutrients from those foods can affect your weight and health, especially if you replace them with carbohydrates and other foods that are easy to eat. Alternatively, if you keep eating all your old favorites without chewing them — because you can’t — your digestive system will suffer. Having those missing teeth replaced with implants or a bridge is a cosmetic procedure, but one that can improve your health and life.
You’d benefit from cosmetic dentistry if… the shape of your face is changing
The longer you live with missing teeth, the more neighboring teeth twist and shift to fill the gaps in your jaw. Your jawbone may also lose strength and mass, especially if an infection continues to progress in your mouth and jaw. The sunken appearance that follows prolonged tooth loss can be eliminated with dental implants that will restore dental function and an age-appropriate visage.
You’d benefit from cosmetic dentistry if… you suffer chronic headaches or pressure in your jaw
Crooked and misaligned teeth do more than affect your appearance and your ability to eat and chew. Misaligned and crooked teeth also increase the risk of suffering temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder often presents with extreme headaches and muscle pain affecting your face, jaw, throat, neck, and shoulders. Braces or aligners to straighten your teeth, and even botox and changes to the biting surfaces of your teeth, can help eliminate the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
We’ll ask again? Do you need cosmetic dentistry? That’s not for us to decide for you. But if you have cosmetic goals you’ve yet to accomplish or any of the symptoms discussed in this article, reach out to a dental clinic near you and ask what cosmetic dentistry services they can provide.