subject: What Is Cosmetic Dental Surgery? [print this page] Any kind of dental surgery carried out to improve the appearance of the teeth is known as cosmetic dental surgery. While some of these procedures are meant purely to improve the appearance of an individuals teeth, many others are also related to better functionality and health of the teeth. Irrespective of dental qualification, many dentists prefer to call themselves cosmetic dental surgeons these days because they only deal with the aesthetic aspect of teeth. If there is a health problem being solved in the process, it is inclusive of the cosmetic dental process. While cosmetic dentists are not recognized are form specialists, many of them still promote themselves in the same way.
Picking the right procedure for yourself
Before you go for any kind of dental surgery, make sure you ask your dentist about all the available options. There are many procedures available out there but you must choose the one that suits your requirements the best. The two things that will determine the kind of procedure you want are the present condition of your teeth and the final result you are looking for. When choosing the procedure you must ask your dentist about how these changes will reflect on your teeth, what to expect during the treatment and if there will be any maintenance required during and after the procedure.
How to pick the right surgeon?
First and foremost, you must be certain that the dentist you are considering is certified and registered. You can ask your dentist for before and after pictures of previous patients he/she has helped with cosmetic dental surgery. Secondly, make sure you look for a good number of references that lead to the same name. Most importantly, you should ensure that your dentist is involved in continuing education to stay in the touch of things. The world of dentistry is heavily influenced by technology and it is therefore a must to find a dentist who keeps up with changing times.
The following are some of the most common cosmetic dental procedures that will help you improve your smile.
Bleaching: This is one of the most common procedures used for teeth whitening with the use of chemicals. While some people bleach their teeth to get rid of stains, other just do it to make them look whiter. This procedure can be performed at the dentists as well as at home. However, keep in mind that any such procedure performed at home must be conducted under the supervision of a professional dentist.
Bonding: In this procedure, white cement like material is used to fill gaps between teeth as well as whiten them even further. This is quite in expensive procedure so it is often used as a last resort.
Veneers: These are nothing but pieces of plastic or porcelain placed ahead of the teeth to alter the shape and color of your teeth. These are often used for crooked, unevenly spaced, oddly shaped, discolored or chipped teeth. Another cosmetic dental surgery process known as contouring can also be used to tackle crooked, overlapping or chipped teeth.