Getting that perfect smile is something many people strive for. They know that one of the best ways to make a good impression is to have a good smile and thus want one.

When people are insecure about a certain feature in their smile it is common for them to cater to that problem. They will cover their mouth as they laughing or try to keep people on their left side to hide the imperfections.

It is sad when people feel their smile hinders their impression as opposed to enhancing it. Because of this many dentists have started performing what is known as cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is an industry specifically created to improve the appearance of a person’s smile. These are dentists that focus in on the aesthetics of the teeth and perform special tasks to help people feel more confident and attractive.

Many have discovered the benefits of having white teeth. Overall it makes a person look cleaner and sharper.

Because this is something commonly sought after many at-home kits have been marketed so people can achieve their whiter smile in the comfort of their bathroom. The problem with these kits is they can be ineffective and leave teeth yellow or actually bleach teeth too much and leave them translucent.

Cosmetic dentists can control what effect the bleaching will have and thus can get the perfect color for the specific teeth being worked on. In addition their professional whitening will last for up to three years.

Another common problem people face is having chips, cracks, and gaps in their teeth. Having any of these can cause them to feel insecure and lose confidence in their appearance.

There is actually something cosmetic dentists can do to fix these problems. This is called dental bonding.

The process of dental bonding is simple and not very invasive. The dentist will start by mixing together a composite designed to look exactly like the tooth.

The problematic area is then slightly roughened up so the composite can bond to it. The dentist will then simply bond the material to the tooth and make it look exactly like the other teeth, so it blends in perfectly.

Sometimes people are not born with a certain tooth or teeth can be knocked out. When this happens their smile is left incomplete.


Cosmetic dentists can actually fix this by placing in the mouth a prosthetic tooth. They start by inserting a screw into the jaw line into the bone.

When the screw takes root in the bone it is ready to act as the roots for a tooth. The dentist then screws the prosthetic tooth onto the bottom of the exposed screw.

The tooth is then perfectly situated into the gum line and looks just like a real tooth. This leaves the smile completely whole.

Some people actually want to change the appearance of all their teeth. If the teeth are very small or a little crooked the cosmetic dentist can go in and fix the problem.

This is done through getting a smile makeover. With a smile makeover the dentist attached porcelain veneers to the front of every tooth.

These veneers are actually stronger than enamel and thus act as a further barrier for teeth from cavities. They can be designed any desired way so they are customized for the mouth of each patient.

A common misconception is that attaching veneers requires shaving down the tooth into a stub so one can never go back to their old teeth back. This should not happen to anyone’s teeth because veneers can be attached like dental bonding; the teeth just need to be slightly roughened without being visually changed.

Through all this it is clear veneers can actually improve the health of teeth and the appearance of a smile. With a smile makeover the patient gets to choose his or her smile.

It is important when choosing what cosmetic dentist to use to check out their portfolio or seek references. All cosmetic dentists can be regular dentists, but not all dentists should be cosmetic dentists.

Cosmetic dentistry requires an eye for artistry, not just technical abilities. Because of this it is important to make sure the other work a cosmetic dentist has done is good.

With all the coloring and designing of the teeth the dentist truly has to have an understanding of quality and beauty. Most will have portfolios of past work they have done so it is safe to base their future work of what they are showing in their portfolio.

Jack R. Landry is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to general and cosmetic dentistry. He recommends (http://www.truedentistry.com) as a dentist in Las Vegas.

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!