What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is anything that a dentist does that looks beautiful to the eye. If it's pleasing to the eye as your final product, that is cosmetic dentistry. The difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry basically boils down to the materials being selected. General dentistry will select any material that the dentist likes to use that will restore the tooth to its full function. A cosmetic dentist will do the same, restoring your tooth to its full function, but will choose materials that provide a more natural and pleasing appearance. It hides your restoration, so no one can tell you've had any dentistry done.
How does restorative dentistry work?
Restorative dentistry is how you restore a tooth. In the old days, we used silver fillings. We no longer use silver fillings for many reasons, but the main reason is that people just don't want a silver or black tarnished filling in their mouth. Nowadays, a cosmetic dentist will use only white tooth-colored fillings. Even though a cosmetic dentist restores your tooth just like a general dentist, we tend to use more eye-appealing options.
Cosmetic dentistry can absolutely improve your smile to a spectacular smile because the ceramics we use mimic the natural tooth. Most dentists now have the ability to custom-stain and can do your cosmetic crowns right there in front of you. We can add little customizations that you like, more pointy, more rounded, anything with you in the room, and you can see how it is before we finally give you your crown or any restoration on it.
When is cosmetic dentistry considered oral surgery?
Sometimes people wonder about the difference between cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery. Nowadays, oral surgery is not only the removal of teeth but also the replacement of teeth with dental implants. When you do surgical procedures where you place a dental implant, you have options for how to restore that implant. You can use well-proven restorations that are strong but do not appear to be like your real tooth. A cosmetic dentist will choose materials and methods that will make that tooth look just like a real tooth.
What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
The advantages and benefits of cosmetic dentistry are significant. General dentistry relied on mechanical retention in the past, but cosmetic dentists nowadays use adhesive dentistry. Similar to super glue, we can often avoid removing any part of your tooth and just chemically unite the porcelain to your tooth with some special glues. A cosmetic dentist can often preserve more of your tooth structure.
How to choose a dentist for cosmetic dentistry?
When choosing a dentist for cosmetic dentistry, it's important to choose someone who has the latest equipment, the latest technology, and vast experience. It takes a lot of practice and commitment to provide our patients with the best dental results.
How to maintain your teeth after cosmetic dental procedures?
After your cosmetic dental procedures are done, you need to treat them just like your real natural teeth. You can get cavities, and just like your teeth can break, your restorations can break as well. It is important to maintain good oral habits and see your dentist twice a year.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?
Cosmetic dentistry is often covered by dental insurance. The dental insurance company, when they see a cavity or a broken tooth or any disease process you have, doesn't have an opinion on how you fix the tooth. You can choose to fix it with material A, B, or C, and they will cover all the same. It is best to choose a material that is most appealing to the eye and that you prefer.
However, insurance carriers tend not to cover cosmetic improvements that are not related to disease or trauma. For example, if your tooth is discolored or you don't like the shape of your teeth, you can have veneers done to make them beautiful and natural. But the insurance carrier will say, "This is an elective procedure. We're not going to cover it," and therefore you have no dental coverage for that. We charge the same whether you have dental insurance or not, and we offer various basic financing options for you to afford the care you want.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (949) 787-3378 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.