PubKicks

Most general dentists and their staff that I have met have actually recommended cosmetic dentistry in the event that one of my front teeth starts to die and go brown in color. When I was a sophomore in high school, I was attempting to juggle croquet balls.

I was actually not doing too badly when a friend of mine came running across the field during my gym class screaming my name. I do not remember what she wanted from me that day but I do remember one of those heavy balls came crashing down onto the front of my mouth.

My right front tooth was split in two diagonally. I looked like an inbred vampire with one fang right in the front.

Naturally, in high school I was mortified! My dentist attached something to the rest of my living tooth and it has looked pretty good for 15 years.

That was before cosmetic dentistry really took off. I remember that I was getting a gap in my teeth that is a family trait and was hating it, but thanks to that friend of mine, my attempt at juggling and that nasty hard ball, my gap was fixed!

It still looks nice, but the color is a little dull where my two front teeth actually touch. At my last cleaning, I asked my dentist about it and he recommended a veneer possibly when the tooth dies, or I want to fix them up.

There are many, many reasons for wanting cosmetic dentistry; some people even need it for their overall oral health. I have merely touched on what cosmetic dentistry is, and can do, but what is it really?

It is akin to art. The reason I say this is because a cosmetic dentist has to take into consideration the size of his patient’s mouth, jaw displacement, too big or too small of teeth, future oral health and overall smile appearance.

- Inlays/Onlays: Made from porcelain, these are quite common and most people get their cavities filled with this.
- Composite Bonding: Made with enamel and dentin, this too, is a common cavity filler. This blends in with the color of the surrounding tooth better though.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure.
- Dental Veneers: These are composite or porcelain laminates used to fill chips and cracks.
- Dental Implants: Are like a prosthetic tooth.
- Smile Makeover: Many different procedures are discussed to improve the smile.
- Full mouth reconstruction: When there are problems with your bite, muscles, teeth and bone, this will be considered.

Ceramic and composite technology has advanced to the point where dental work is beautiful and durable; and can be provided to each patient. But there is so much extra training involved in learning how to use these highly advanced materials properly, that only those dentists who are truly passionate about the appearance of their work take the time away from the office and spend the money required.

So when you decide to look for a cosmetic dentist, consider it is ultimately the responsibility of the dental board of each state to insure the quality of dental care in each state. So you will want to check into that to make sure dentists you are interviewing are legitimate.

There are lots of pictures on the Internet that can show you the difference between the look of general dentistry and that of an artistic cosmetic dentist. You will want to ask your cosmetic dentist if he has a portfolio of before and after pictures for you to look at and judge his work.

I have heard from people who have had cosmetic dentistry done that the more detailed the dentist and how often he follows up with you can make a difference in the look. Artists always come back to their work to touch up until something in their very being feels at peace with the final outcome.

A truly passionate cosmetic dentist will do the same and your smile can only benefit.