Cosmetic dentistry is not your usual dentist appointments. While these regular appointments makes sure that your teeth is well taken care of, cosmetic dentistry tries to do more. It makes your smile, whiter, straighter and better. This is the result of multiple procedures, from tooth extraction and teeth whitening to putting braces and straightening the teeth.

Getting a beautiful smile, however, can cost a lot of money. Dental procedures can be expensive; just imagine going through multiple dental procedures just to be able to achieve a blindingly beautiful smile. This can cost a fortune, something that only a few are willing to spend.

So who exactly is wiling to spend such money and undergo these procedures? Why is there a need for such an aesthetic procedure. Contrary to what most believe, getting a cosmetic dental procedure is not done purely for vanity’s sake. Most people undergo such procedures because they have to, not because they want to. Below are some of the people who undergo cosmetic dentistry. Will you be one of them?

1. Entertainers and models
Let’s face it, their work involves the public eye and  they need to be always beautiful all the time. As much as it pains them to admit this, these entertainers, celebrities and models are there in the limelight because of their looks. Their talent and skill is secondary. What they need is to look beautiful if they want to make it big in the TV or the film industry. Thus, there are many entertainers and models who undergo cosmetic dentistry to imprve their smile. A great set of teeth will do wonders to a person’s appearance.

2. Salespeople
Their job is to sell products and part of the package of selling is to have a pleasing personality, someone who is fun to be with and yes, great to look at. Call it shallow but don’t you want to talk to people who are pleasing to the eye? Do you not always buy from people who are more attractive? That’s the fact of life and if you want to stay long in the business, you should heed this.

3. Marketing personnel
People whose jobs depend on convincing people need to look perfect all the time. This includes having a great smile. Studies have shown that people who have a great smile and have a pleasing appearance are more trusted by clients. And trust is an important factor in winning clients for your company. If you appear to be trustworthy, people will believe in what you are saying and thus, give you their business. So fix those smiles with cosmetic dentistry.

1. Budget
Cosmetic dentistry is expensive. This is not just the ordinary cleaning of the teeth or an extraction. If you want your smile to be worthy of a toothpaste commercial, you may have to undergo several of these procedures plus a lot more. And of course, you have to pay for each of the procedures. This is not the same as a cosmetic surgery when you only usually have to go through one procedure. With cosmetic dentistry, you may need several and each, as you well know, can be expensive. There are also the xrays and the tests that you have to pay for as well as the incidentals like the braces and the wax.

Before going through the whole thing, have a talk with your dentist and ask how much you will be spending for the whole thing. Tell your dentist to estimate the cost and to give you the maximum cost. That way, you will be able to know just how much money you have to prepare and if you have them.

2. Time
As mentioned before, a simple cosmetic dentistry can involve a lot of procedures that can stretch into weeks and months. You may need to get a tooth extraction, which will need a couple of weeks of recuperation. Afterwards, you may need to get braces which doctors will require you to wear for months. If you do not have the time or cannot spare time for the procedures, better think twice because missed appointments can stretch the time period to years and sometimes, the progress that you already had will only be wasted and you have to start from scratch.

3. Appearance
Not everybody wants to go back to their brace-days in high school. If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry, be prepared to have to wear those again especially if it is going to be a major one. This can be a problem with people whose work involve meeting clients and going on meetings. Just imagine presenting to clients and attending business meetings with braces! Of course, there are ways now to make these braces appear nonexistent. There are invisible braces in the same color as your teeth. These can however be very expensive. So consider this first before proceeding.

Cosmetic dentistry is actually a pretty minor procedure but it can involve several small ones that may affect your work life and financial standing. So before you decide to go through one, make sure that you are 100% sure of your decision. Otherwise, you are just going to waste your money and your time as well as waste the dentist’s efforts… but come to think of it, he is paid anyway.

Most people who undergo these procedures are often in fields that involve a lot of people. Celebrities and models have probably fixed their smiles way before their careers took off. They need this if they are always in the limelight. Their jobs, most of the time, depend on how they look. People who are in the marketing and sales field also need great smiles. As mentioned before, people with a beautiful set of teeth when they smile come off as very trustworthy. These people need to give this impression if they want to sell their products and convince other people to believe in their products.

But because it is currently the mod right now to get a cosmetic dental surgery, the procedures can be pretty expensive. This can be a bummer considering that the procedures are actually the same as the usual procedures that ordinary dentists can perform. You will probably go through some extractions and root canals. You might have braces and retainers put on you. It all depends on how drastic the changes the cosmetic dentist need to do on your teeth. The price difference however depends on the level of experience and the training that these cosmetic dentists have. Remember that these dentists have what they  call the aesthetic advantage, meaning that beyond taking care of your teeth and making sure that your teeth are healthy, they are also making sure that your teeth are aligned perfectly together for a great smile. Not all dentists can do this.

This is perhaps why it is also very hard to really a great cosmetic dentist right now even with all the new dentists setting shop. When it comes to your appearance, you really want something that will really give you the best smile. So if you are thinking of getting a cosmetic dentistry procedure, check with your friends and with hospitals for referrals. Look into the credentials  and check for training and experience. Make sure also that the dentist has a license to practice and do the procedures. If you do not have the money, I suggest that you forego with the plans and wait until you have saved for it.

Scrimping is a no-no because although it is considered minor surgical procedure, it is still a medical procedure and under the hands of an incompetent doctor, you might get into trouble. It is also important that you check your schedules because a cosmetic dentistry procedure can take a few days and sometimes even a few months. Make sure that you will not have problems with your work or school.

Compared to the dark old days of accepting teeth loss (disease, fights, accidents) as inevitable, today’s men and women already have several options of getting back their winsome smiles and be their old selves again.

There are several ways in restoring damaged or missing teeth in a person. Some are downright good and natural-looking you cannot tell the difference. Today’s technology has made it so that there are now individual ways to fix, repair, mend and restore teeth, with each one tailor-fitted to the damage.

Crowns and tooth cracks

Dental crowns are the latest ways of fixing teeth cracks. Cracked teeth are usually caused by tooth decay, teeth grinding, and sometimes by accidents.

These crowns are fitted right on top of each damaged tooth to cover the crack and hold the tooth together. Crowns can be used on almost any tooth. They are custom-designed and are seldom noticed.

Inlays and tooth decay

Inlays are very stable restorative treatments on delicate and decaying teeth. They are usually used to repair decayed front teeth which are very visible when people smile or simply talk.

Inlays are bonded to the affected tooth (or teeth) to fill out the decayed areas and reduce any other structural damage in the tooth caused by the decay.

Bonding and stained teeth

Sometimes, stains on teeth do not respond well to teeth whitening treatments and brushing. The next alternative is bonding treatment that can brighten up the smile.

Dental bonding is a natural tooth-colored composite used to fill over the damaged natural tooth to make it appear naturally smooth again.

Bonding is also used to fill out teeth cracks, stains and hide chipped teeth. It is sculpted to fit the tooth perfectly while covering up the flaw.

Direct bonding is regularly used as an alternative to more extensive “smile makeover” procedures like veneers and crowns.

Veneers and uneven teeth

As a rule, dental veneers are usually used in unevenly spaced teeth or those with large gaps between their teeth. They are made with porcelain or composite resin and designed to cover the whole tooth.

They help in covering up cracks, discolorations, and fill out any big gaps between teeth. Veneers protect the surface of the damaged tooth and make dental surgery unnecessary. Presently, veneers are typically more costly than dental bonding but they can give you a complete smile makeover.

Dental implants and missing teeth

A dental implant is a replacement for your lost natural tooth. This is directly inserted into the gum structure, and is sometimes used as a dental bridge support.

Implants are selected and designed to look like your own natural teeth. They also have the extra benefit of reducing jawbone loss.

The technology and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry are still evolving, making the procedures less invasive, less painful, and less costly. The other good news is that cosmetic dentists are getting more and more aesthetically adept as well.

There is actually little difference in the procedures that they perform. They actually do the same procedures except that ordinary dentists are more focused on keeping our teeth health and free from cavity. They mostly do cleaning and tooth extraction and most of their clients are kids and teens. Orthodontists on the other hand are more trained into putting in braces and retainer and making sure that the teeth is aligned. A cosmetic dentist is basically a more experienced orthodontist and is more trained in reconstructing the teeth.

What he does is not your ordinary alignment of the teeth. He tackles cases that are very complicated. This is why a cosmetic dentistry procedure can involve a lot of extraction especially if you teeth are too many and the space inside the mouth is too cramped for all your teeth. It can also involve braces and elastic bands and sometimes, replacing the whole teeth with a fake one that is inserted into the gums. This is an improvement from the false teeth that most need to remove at night.

So what exactly can you expect with a cosmetic dentistry procedure? It all really depends on how much work your teeth require. Some people, who have already worn braces in high school will probably require little work. They will probably just need to do some minor cleaning and some whitening procedures to make their smiles whiter and brighter. They would probably not even need any work at all.

Usually, people who go to cosmetic dentists require major work and reconstruction on their teeth. These are the people who have too many teeth or those with twisted teeth or gaps. With those whose mouths are too cramped, they will probably have a lot of tooth extractions which will give your teeth space to move and adjust. Those who have rotting teeth and have had missing tooth inside may need to have tooth insertions or false teeth.

Afterwards, they will be made to wear braces to help move the teeth and align them together. This can take a few weeks or even months. Most will need to wear retainers after wearing the braces as teeth tend to move if they do not have some sort of metal that will keep them in place. But don’t worry, often these retainers will only be worn at night when sleeping.

Reasons

People undergo cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons, each one dependent of his or her individual needs.

Some would want the good old-fashioned smile makeover or the movie-star white-teeth smile. Others simply want to straighten a crooked smile (caused by a crooked tooth or a group of teeth). Some others would just want to replace their old metal fillings with the now-popular white tooth-colored restorations.

Most people want to have their teeth whitened. Teeth whitening – one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available – is the one cosmetic treatment where the benefits are impressive and seen right away.

Things to consider

If you are planning to undertake a dental cosmetic procedure, it is necessary that you thoroughly know and understand its different aspects. You must understand, too, the different options available to you.

When you research about these them (and what they can do), it is important that you must also know the risks that are involved as well.

After your own reading and investigations, consult with a cosmetic dentist for the many other questions you may have in mind – the pros and cons of each treatment, the costs, the risks, the advantages and many others.

Costs and financing

Cosmetic dentistry costs will depend on many factors. How many procedures would you want? Is your cosmetic dentist skilled enough? Are the materials used the top of the line?

How about the quality of the dental clinic – are they using the most modern techniques and equipments? Have the price for their use factored into the total costs?

Where are you having your cosmetic dentistry procedures? (Cosmetic dentistry abroad is a lot cheaper that in the U.S. or in the U.K.)

Today, many people believe that cosmetic dentistry costs are astronomical and are prohibitive for their budget. Not many of them realize that there are several affordable options in cosmetic dentistry.

Nowadays, there are already several convenient cosmetic dentistry financing plans to assist you with the cost of the more extensive (and admittedly expensive) aesthetic procedures.

Aesthetic procedures

There are several cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discolored, and unevenly spaced teeth. From porcelain veneers to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to restore the health and vitality of their smile.

There are the usual teeth whitening procedures and dental implants to restore missing teeth. For unevenly-spaced, overlapping or gapped teeth, there is Invisalign®, a teeth-straightening solution for adults without the braces.

Choosing your cosmetic dentist

In the end, it might boil to the choice of your cosmetic dentist. Your doctor should be well-trained and have enough experience that you can trust.

Your doctor must not only be a good dental technician, he or she should have an artistic touch. The key to having the most natural-looking results is finding a cosmetic dentist with enough artistic sense and a sure mastery of his profession.

From an aesthetic point of view, a good cosmetic dentist is someone who is way different from a general dentist. He is someone with a passion for aesthetics and creating beautiful smiles though the practice of his science-based profession.

Considerations

A cosmetic dentist about to embark on a smile makeover to a patient takes into consideration several factors that constitute a person’s total smile: facial appearance, skin tone, hair color, teeth (color, width, length, and shape), gum tissue, and lips.

Your dentist would also ask you some questions like “what is it you like or dislike in your smile or teeth?” There is also a list of things your dentist will discuss with you in regard with your smile makeover.

Tooth color

It is an important consideration because bright, white teeth framed in a well-shaped smile give out a youthful appearance. Dark or discolored teeth suggest an aged mouth.

Color is the top consideration when evaluating procedures and materials including porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, implants and composite bonding. Your cosmetic dentist recommends the right shades in tandem with your facial skin tones and hair shadings.

Shapes, spaces, alignments

Crooked teeth, overlapping teeth, gaps in-between teeth and other imperfections are carefully evaluated for corrective procedures. In extreme cases, they are corrected through orthodontics or Invisalign, and improved with veneers.

Missing teeth, uneven or cracked teeth are noted. Missing teeth are replaced with implants, bridges or partial dentures. Cracked and uneven teeth are bonded.

An unshapely or ageing face can be improved and rejuvenated with certain procedures in smile makeovers. This can include, in extreme cases, such processes as orthodontics and maybe oral maxillofacial surgery.

A long face might need an accent to make it appear more oval. Someone with an attractive feature in the center of the face might need bold central incisors to draw attention to that center.

Length, proportions, textures

The length of the teeth affects the overall facial appearance. Shapely, long square teeth on a round face can provide a slimming effect.

A pleasing smile is one where the two central front teeth are dominant and have a width-to-length ratio of 4:5. This proportion is the yardstick of the length and width of all the other teeth.

Your cosmetic dentist can characterize your crowns and veneers to create a more feminine or a more masculine appearance, matching the look and feel of the other natural teeth.

Teeth life

Cosmetic dentistry procedures need regular oral hygiene care and require maintenance over time. Teeth whitening must be repeated on occasion to maintain brightness. Crowns and veneers may break off and need replacements.

The ceramist, lab technician and the materials chosen by your dentist also affect the longevity of your smile makeover.

As one dentist-writer puts it, cosmetic dentistry is a “self-esteem service”. If the results fail to impress the patient, the treatment is a failure. So you will be pleased, you need to have your own inputs, too, in the artistic planning of your smile.

What is teeth whitening?
What are the techniques?
Are there teeth whitening methods that can be done at home?

Whitening

Teeth whitening is simply a process that eliminates discoloration and stains on the teeth. The procedure also brightens the natural pigmentation of the teeth. The nature of the stains as well as the severity of the discoloration determines the degree of improvement after the treatment.

When your teeth become brown or yellow due to coffee, tea, or smoking, stains will generally lighten four to five shades.  Gray teeth caused by natural pigmentation or use of antibiotics will lighten two to three shades.

Whatever is the outcome, your teeth is noticeably brighter after teeth whitening. While there may be a number of over-the-counter teeth whiteners, only a dental professional can recommend the most effective teeth whiteners.

Some techniques

Today, there are two effective whitening techniques available – the in-office laser teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening with custom-fit trays. These two techniques should be best done under your dentist’s supervision to ensure safety.

Laser teeth whitening

The In-office teeth whitening are done with bleaching gel and laser light. A good method for teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, this process should be closely monitored by a cosmetic dentist.

The process begins when the teeth are carefully isolated from the lips and gums. Next, a bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. A laser is used with the gel in order to amplify the teeth whitening process.

At-home teeth whitening

For at-home teeth whitening, your cosmetic dentist can take imprints of your teeth and then make custom-fitted trays for your use to complete your teeth whitening process.

There are also a number of teeth bleaching kits available over the counter at drugstores. If instructions are followed to the letter, most of them are safe by general standards.

Whitening systems

Teeth whitening systems use in-office applications of gel to the teeth. Next, light is applied in order to activate the gel.

There are also a number of teeth whitening systems in the market. These also include a variety of whitening toothpastes and paint-on whitening products and whitening strips.

Side effects

However, there are a number of whitening materials that have some side effects. The gel in many whitening methods makes the teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods, drinks and air, although this is all temporary.

The trays used to bleach teeth also cause sensitivity to the gums, which makes this particular method to be recommended as best done in a dental office.

Some over the counter whitening products may wear down the teeth’s enamel if used too zealously. For this reason, it is recommended that it is best to undergo teeth whitening treatments under the supervision of a cosmetic dentist.

Costs

Teeth whitening costs varies according to the type of methods – at home or in-office. In-office services cost from $100 to $800 and at-home bleaching trays custom-fitted by a dentist cost from $300 to $2,000.

Have you been to a cosmetic dentist lately for a teeth whitening procedure?

The following are some of the popular cosmetic dentistry procedures and their respective estimated costs.

Teeth Whitening

One of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures today is teeth whitening. Sought by both men and women, teeth whitening treatments are available for every kind of budget, length and temperament.

However, there is a lot of misinformation about teeth whitening because only a fraction of the people has tried it. The irony is that it is the most readily available among all dental procedures and that home-use bleaching kits are easily accessible in drug stores.

In the U.S., the cost of teeth whitening done in a dental clinic is around $650 per visit.
Take-home whitening kits from drugstores can be had for $100 up to $400.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are expensive solutions for worn tooth enamels, uneven tooth alignment, abnormal spacing, chips and cracks. However, people who had undergone dental veneer procedures are happy and satisfied.

Costs of dental veneers vary sharply depending on the fees of the cosmetic dentist, the skills (technical and artistic) on the ceramist who makes the veneers, and the place where you want your procedure. (Clinics in urban areas charge more.)

Porcelain veneers which can last for 10 to 15 years may cost $900 to $2,500 per tooth.
Composite veneers can be around $250 to $1,500 per tooth and can last only around 5 to 7 years.

Dental Implants

Technically, a dental implant is a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry. However, it is categorized as cosmetic dentistry even if it is a procedure where a lost tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth replacement.

Again, the cost of dental implants is dependent on many factors. These include the implantation type, the attending dentist, the location where it was done, the material used, and the amount of your dental insurance.

Another expensive procedure, dental implants has a price range of $1,000 to $5,000. Full-mouth reconstructive dental implants can go as high as $24,000 to $100,000.

Single implants may range in cost from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the aforementioned factors. The cost of full-mouth reconstructive dental implants can range from $24,000 to $100,000.

Dental Bridge

Similar to implants and partial dentures, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Missing teeth affects appearance, can cause a change in bite, shifting of the teeth, risk for periodontal disease and a higher chance of tooth decay.

Dental bridges have a price range from $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth. These dental bridges may last from 10 to 20 years.

Invisalign

Invisalign ® is a new orthodontic treatment system in straightening teeth using clear plastic molds (aligners). Invisalign retainers are worn 24 hours a day (except during meals). The entire procedure is repeated until the teeth are correctly in place.

Like the traditional braces, Invisalign costs around $3,000 to $5,000 (U.S. average).

In a competitive world where appearance certainly adds a plus factor to anyone, cosmetic dentistry might just be able to help you clinch that deal, land that job or get you the partner of your dreams.