A cosmetic dental procedure is any service that helps to improve the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums, or bite. People who undergo a cosmetic procedure may be interested in fixing a tooth that is chipped or broken, correcting misaligned teeth, or addressing an issue like discoloration or minor overcrowding. Popular cosmetic procedures include veneers, teeth whitening, and Botox.

Some cosmetic dental procedures are performed purely for aesthetic reasons, which many dentists offer as elective services. These procedures can be used to treat a variety of conditions that affect the appearance of the smile, such as wrinkles around the mouth due to aging, facial injuries from sports-related accidents, and chips in the teeth. Certain procedures may also help prevent issues like TMJ disorder by straightening the bite.

What Are the Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry?

There are several reasons why patients seek cosmetic dentistry to improve their smile. The most common reasons include the following:

• Unsightly teeth
• Teeth that are smaller than average
• Misaligned teeth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Tooth decay
• Missing teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Stains caused by tobacco use
• Gaps between the teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Dental damage due to an accident or injury

These aesthetic flaws can lead to a lack of confidence, and they can even cause people to be too embarrassed to smile. Rather than hiding from the camera at social events and family functions, many people choose to have their smiles fixed with one or more cosmetic dental treatments.

Common Cosmetic Dental Treatments

The following treatments are commonly used for cosmetic dentistry purposes:

• Whitening treatment: It is the process of removing stains from the surfaces of the teeth by applying a whitening gel.
• Invisalign aligners: Invisalign is a transparent aligner that is used to fix teeth misalignment issues.
• Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are restorations bonded to the front surface of the teeth to cover imperfections such as stains, cracks, chipping, etc.
• Crowns or caps: Crowns are caps that cover the entire structure of the teeth and strengthen them.
• Implant restorations: Implants are used to replace missing natural teeth. A titanium implant stud is implanted into the jawbone and then a restoration is attached to it.
• Bonding: Bonding is the process of applying a composite resinous material to the teeth, contouring it as required, and hardening it.
• Gum contouring: It is the process of contouring the gums as required and is mostly performed as a treatment for gum disease.

Do Cosmetic Procedures Require Recovery Time?

No, they don’t! Procedures like teeth whitening are non-invasive and require little to no downtime. You’ll come in for your appointment and leave with a bright smile the same day. Other cosmetic treatments may require a couple of days before you’re fully healed and able to resume your normal daily routines. But it won’t be long at all before you can show off your beautiful new smile to everyone around you!

To find out more about the dental services offered at Atwood Family Dentistry, call (208) 528-6684 or schedule a consultation online. You can also visit us at 1759 W Broadway, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.