Who is a cosmetic dentist?
Cosmetic dentists have expertise in improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. They focus on closing dental gaps and repairing worn, discolored, cracked, stained, and chipped teeth. They aim to give their patients a white, bright, natural smile while offering optimal dental health.
What training and education do cosmetic dentists receive?
Although cosmetic dentistry is widely popular in the United States, the American Dental Association has yet to recognize this field as a specialty. As a result, most universities do not offer cosmetic dentistry programs. However, most cosmetic dentists must complete a bachelor's degree and a dental school program to practice dentistry. Dentists typically train for four years. This program includes orthodontics (a specialty where dentists learn to align teeth with orthodontic devices such as braces and aligners), cosmetic dentistry, pain management, oral medicine, and dental law and history. After completing dental school, cosmetic dentists must get a medical license. Some may also receive accreditation.
How is general dentistry different from cosmetic dentistry?
While most general dentists can perform procedures considered a part of cosmetic dentistry, there are a few differences between general and cosmetic dentistry. General dentists typically manage a broad spectrum of oral healthcare, including diagnosing and treating conditions like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. They also offer preventative care, routine dental checkups, fillings, dental crowns, bridges, teeth cleaning, and whitening. Most of these treatments focus on improving the health and working of the teeth and gums. However, cosmetic dentistry only aims at beautifying an individual's smile.
Why should you see a cosmetic dentist?
You should see a cosmetic dentist near you if your teeth are naturally short or appear short due to grinding. They can treat short teeth regardless of the cause and improve oral health. You should also visit them if you want to improve the alignment of your teeth. Cosmetic dentists can provide orthodontic treatment that includes traditional braces and clear aligners.
Poor oral hygiene, a facial blow, teeth grinding at night, and other factors can all result in tooth damage. If you want to fix damaged teeth or improve their function, you must consult a cosmetic dentist. They can address your issue using procedures such as fillings, crowns, and veneers. You can also visit them if you have teeth stains.
What procedures does a cosmetic dentist perform?
A cosmetic dentist performs various procedures, from minor adjustments to major surgeries. Some examples of cosmetic procedures include:
- Cosmetic dental veneers: Dental veneers are medical-grade white shells made of ceramic, resin, or porcelain. A cosmetic dentist can treat issues like chipped, damaged, discolored, or smaller-than-average teeth with dental veneers.
- Cosmetic teeth whitening: Food, beverages, drugs, or other habits like smoking can discolor teeth over time. Teeth whitening, often known as teeth bleaching, can brighten and whiten teeth to remove stains and discoloration.
- Cosmetic dental crown: A dental crown, commonly called a dental cap, covers a tooth with decay or other damage. A cosmetic dentist can fix teeth that are severely decaying, cracked, chipped, or have had massive fillings and fill in spaces between teeth.
- Cosmetic dental implant: An implant is a metal appliance that replaces lost teeth after severe tooth decay. It can support false teeth like a crown, bridge, or denture by serving as the tooth's root. A cosmetic dentist first adds support for the jaw using a screw. Afterward, the implant is put into the missing tooth's bone socket.
- Cosmetic tooth bonding: The bonding procedure involves attaching tooth-colored materials to the tooth. It can repair or improve a tooth that is severely discolored, cracked, or chipped. Cosmetic dentists apply moldable resin to the tooth during dental bonding and then harden it using UV radiation. They then cut the material to shape and polish it to match the tooth's surface.
- Cosmetic dental inlays and onlays: A cosmetic dentist binds the tooth to replace damaged or ugly fillings with inlays, which match the tooth's color and strengthen the tooth. Likewise, a cosmetic dentist inserts onlays into the tooth.
What is tooth reshaping, & how does it work?
Tooth reshaping, also referred to as odontoplasty, is an affordable cosmetic dental procedure designed to address issues such as chipped, misaligned, uneven, or cracked teeth. This quick and painless process involves removing some tooth enamel and reshaping or lengthening the problematic tooth. Sometimes, a tooth-colored bonding resin may be applied to achieve the desired shape, which attaches to and hardens on the teeth.
Prior to the procedure, a dental examination and X-rays are conducted to assess the overall health of the teeth and gums, as well as the condition of the enamel. If the enamel is weak or thin, the dentist may recommend alternative procedures such as dental veneers, which involve placing a porcelain cover over the tooth's front surface to enhance its appearance. Confirming healthy teeth, gums, and enamel, the dentist will begin by removing some of the tooth enamel using a sanding disc or fine diamond bur, minimizing imperfections in the tooth. Subsequently, the dentist will trim or adjust the length of longer teeth and shape and smooth uneven teeth, ultimately improving alignment and bite.
Bonding can be combined with tooth reshaping for chipped teeth or gaps. Bonding incorporates a tooth-colored resin to mold and further shape the tooth, with the bonding material matching the appearance of natural teeth once hardened. The bonding process can add an extra 30 minutes to an hour to the overall procedure.
Can other dental procedures offer cosmetic benefits?
Most cosmetic dental procedures are strictly aesthetic and aim to improve an individual's smile. However, other restorative procedures, such as repairing crooked teeth with dental crowns, can enhance the appearance of a person's smile and provide health and chewing function benefits. Similarly, dental braces are used to improve a person's bite. Upon removal, they straighten the teeth and enhance the smile.
How long do cosmetic dental treatments last?
The life expectancy of a cosmetic dental treatment depends on the type of treatment you get. Treatments like dental bonding generally need replacing every five to seven years. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, depending on the type of material used, the lifespan of an average dental veneer can last anywhere from five to ten years. Porcelain veneers have to be replaced every ten years. You can expect the result of a teeth whitening procedure to last from one to three years, depending on your lifestyle, what you eat, and oral hygiene habits.
Who should go for cosmetic dental treatment?
Anyone with healthy teeth and gums can seek cosmetic dental treatment. Cosmetic dental procedures may not be the best option for people with seriously damaged teeth, extensive cavities, and severe gum disease. For such problems, your dentist may recommend other medical treatment options first. However, people with discolored, undersized, and chipped teeth may be good candidates for procedures like veneers. It is suggested that you consult a licensed dentist before you go for a cosmetic dental procedure.
How can you prepare for a cosmetic dentist appointment?
Ensure proper dental hygiene before any treatment by a cosmetic dentist. Establishing a routine of flossing every night before bed, along with brushing your teeth at least twice a day before your appointment, will be beneficial. You need to list your likes and dislikes before the appointment to refer to them when discussing it with your cosmetic dentist.
Before a cosmetic dental procedure, you should get any required dental work, such as gum inflammation and minor fillings. Before visiting your cosmetic dentist, you should note questions and concerns about the procedures, recovery time, and discomfort. When the treatment is to improve your smile, you can also look for and bring images of your ideal smile to ensure your cosmetic dentist is aware of your expectations.
How is oral health related to pregnancy?
Being pregnant increases your risk of developing oral health issues, which may affect your pregnancy. For example, several studies have found that gum disease and premature birth are interlinked. Preterm birth refers to the delivery that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm newborns may have more health issues at birth and throughout their lives than full-term babies. Taking appropriate care of your mouth, teeth, and gums throughout pregnancy can result in a healthy pregnancy and kid.
During pregnancy, your body produces higher quantities of specific hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. These can put you at risk for oral health issues.
Your dietary habits may change. You may eat more of certain foods while pregnant than you did previously. Your food choices may have an impact on your dental health. Some pregnant women develop a condition known as pica. This causes them to consume things harmful to their dental health, such as significant amounts of ice or even non-edible items.
You may clean and floss your teeth less frequently than before pregnancy. This could be because of sore gums. Brushing and flossing during pregnancy may trigger nausea in some pregnant women.
Things to know about dental procedures while you are pregnant
Pregnant women often have questions about dental procedures. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams while pregnant are safe and recommended. Here are a few things to remember when pregnant and undergoing dental procedures:
- Pregnant women should have a well-balanced diet, thoroughly clean their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and regularly floss.
- Throughout your pregnancy, schedule preventive examinations and cleanings.
- Inform your dentist or cosmetic dentist that you are pregnant.
- Avoid non-emergency dental work, if possible, until the second trimester or after birth.
- Postpone elective operations until after the delivery.
- Maintain proper circulation by keeping your legs uncrossed when sitting in the dentist's chair.
- Take a pillow to make yourself and the baby more comfortable.
How do you find the best cosmetic dentist near you in Austin, Texas?
A skilled cosmetic dentist can address your aesthetic problems, including the appearance of teeth, mouth, gums, and overall smile. Choosing the best cosmetic dentist is crucial; however, finding one to address your unique needs can be challenging.
Zocdoc's goal has always been to improve the patient experience in healthcare. To help you with your medical needs, Zocdoc ensures you find the best healthcare providers possible.
You can search for a cosmetic dentist on Zocdoc based on your symptoms, ideal location and time, and insurance plan. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. You can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can further focus your search on finding a cosmetic dentist depending on the language, gender, hospital affiliations, and whether or not they treat children. Every cosmetic dentist on Zocdoc has a dedicated profile with information on their training, experience, specialties, affiliations, awards, certifications, and licenses, among other things. You can also view the verified patient reviews to discover the top cosmetic dentist near you in Austin who will accept your insurance.
On Zocdoc, every appointment booking is simple, secure, and free!
Oral health statistics of Austin, Texas
According to the Kindergarten Oral Health Screening Survey 2018-2019 by the Texas Department of State Health Services, nearly 52.9% of kindergarten children in Texas had a history of tooth decay, and around 19.7% had untreated cavities. The Third Grade Oral Health Screening Survey 2017-2018 by the Texas Department of State Health Services showed that nearly 67.1% of third-grade children in Texas had a history of tooth decay, and 17.5% had untreated cavities. Cosmetic dentists can treat tooth decay with cosmetic Inlays and Onlays procedures.
A report on the Burden of Oral Disease in Texas in 2018 by the Texas Health Institute showed that around 54.1% of Texans aged 45-64 have had at least one tooth extracted due to tooth decay or gum disease. When teeth are lost or damaged due to periodontal disease, cosmetic dentists can help. Their treatment may include dental implants, crowns, and dentures.
Sources
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
WebMD
Verywell Health
Healthline[1]
American College of Prosthodontists
Chesterfield Dentist
My Saratoga Dentist PLLC
Amaze Dental
Texas Department of State Health Services[1]
Texas Department of State Health Services[2]
Texas Health Institute
McCarthy Dentistry
Cleveland Clinic
Dental Health Society
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
Healthline[4]
March of Dimes
American Pregnancy Association
