subject: Behind The Perfect Set [print this page] Cosmetic dentistry is dental work that improves the aesthetics and functionality of an individual"s teeth. The American Dental Association, or ADA, does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as formal specialty area f dentistry. This has been understood by many general dentists. Thus, there are no restrictions on a dentist claiming that he is a cosmetic dentist.
It is probably helpful to point out that the term, "cosmetic", while it is in common use in dentistry, actually has a deeper meaning. The term is derived from the Greek word "cosmetikos" which means adornment. Strictly speaking, it should be used in relationship to things that are temporary, ephemeral, superficial and readily reversible. Cosmetics do not modify the material on which they are replaced. They have to be replaced every time one wants a particular look.
Cosmetics do not spoil the fundamental structure on which they are placed. Cosmetic would usually associate to something like lipstick or eye shadow which will temporarily alter the area on which the cosmetic is placed. Such cosmetic do not stick to the underlying tissue and if one does not like the appearance anymore, it is easy to remove the applied cosmetic and replace it with the desire new one.
However, unlike changing someone"s hair or the color of their skin with cosmetics or tanning, either by real sun or with tanning chemicals, the provision of dentistry for such patients is often a much more complicated, irreversible and risky process. As what a tenured bloomington dentist would say, the promotion of such dentistry requires a very delicate balance between improvement of the patient"s appearance and the prevention of doing inappropriate and unnecessary biological damage to the teeth, especially when such treatment is viewed in a long run.
Cosmetic dentistry can be subdivided into two formal specializations. Prosthodontics, as what bloomington dentists practice, is the dental specialty pertaining to diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and wellbeing of patients with medical conditions related with missing or deficient teeth, and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using compatible substitutes.
bloomington il dentist associations define orthodontics as the dental specialty that concerns with diagnosis, prevention, interception and correction of all abnormalities present or developing in the oro-facial structures.
