What is cosmetic dentistry, and who is a cosmetic dentist?
Dental issues can result from poor oral hygiene or genetic issues and can cause problems while speaking, breathing, or biting or chewing food. The visual appearance of dental problems can also result in psychological issues. A cosmetic dentist performs several minor and complex procedures to improve teeth, gums, and mouth appearance.
A cosmetic dentist is a practitioner of cosmetic dentistry. Although the American Dental Association (ADA) does not clearly define cosmetic dentistry, practicing cosmetic dentists describe this sub-discipline of dentistry as a method to improve a patient's smile and self-image.
Cosmetic dentistry is also commonly referred to as esthetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentists may work independently in clinics or cater to clients visiting a hospital.
Education and training of a cosmetic dentist
Although cosmetic dentistry is a widely practiced industry worldwide, since the ADA does not recognize it as a specialty, universities in the United States do not offer exclusive and specific degree programs for aspiring cosmetic dentists.
To become a cosmetic dentist, an individual must complete an undergraduate degree and enroll in a four-year dental school program. This program training includes:
- Orthodontics (the dental practice of aligning teeth with braces or other means)
- Pain management
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Oral medicine
- Dental history and law
After completing this program, aspiring cosmetic dentists must seek a medical license and receive accreditation.
What services does a cosmetic dentist offer?
People visit cosmetic dentists seeking a variety of procedures and treatments. Mentioned below are a few standard services that everyone should know:
- Dental implants: This treatment replaces teeth after severe decay or tooth loss. Your cosmetic dentist shall attach a screw to the jaw to support and insert the implant into the missing tooth's bone socket. Soon, the bone and tissue will fuse, securing the replacement tooth inside the mouth. Over time, the dental implant shall blend in with the surrounding teeth.
- Dental bonding: This treatment repairs chips, cracks, misshapen teeth, and tooth decay. The cosmetic dentist shall apply a moldable resin to the tooth, harden it with UV light, and trim, shape, and polish the material to blend into the tooth's surface.
- Tooth-colored fillings: This treatment helps fill gaps and cracks in your teeth. The fillings consist of resin instead of metal and thus thoroughly blend in your teeth, making them much more subtle than traditional fillings.
- Porcelain dental veneers: This treatment eliminates flaws, including stains, chips, cracks, gaps, and even slightly misaligned teeth. The cosmetic dentist shall bond these ceramic coverings to the front of your teeth.
- Teeth whitening: This treatment brightens your teeth. The cosmetic dentist shall give you a customized at-home whitening kit to use daily for a couple of weeks to make your smile up to eight shades whiter.
- Invisalign: This treatment lets you get a straighter smile without bearing the hassles of brackets and wires. The cosmetic dentist uses a nearly invisible series of clear plastic aligner trays to help straighten the teeth instead of metal braces.
- Enamel Abrasion: This procedure is another way to address teeth discoloration. The cosmetic dentist shall use fine pumice in a micro-abrasion machine to remove superficial stains caused by tobacco products, wine, soda, and coffee. This technique does not work for intrinsic stains or stains inside the tooth.
- Inlays: This procedure is called indirect fillings and helps strengthen teeth, restore tooth shape, and avoid further decay or deterioration. The cosmetic dentist shall place an inlay directly onto the tooth surface when it has mild to moderate decay or insufficient structure to support a filling.
Can anyone undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments?
You can pursue cosmetic dental treatments if you have healthy gums and teeth. However, if you've gum disease or multiple cavities, your dentist will treat those problems first. You can choose which cosmetic procedures to explore once your smile is healthy.
Also, recovery times vary based on the type of cosmetic procedure performed and the number of teeth that underwent the procedure. For instance, someone with dental bonding on one tooth can immediately return to their routine. But a day or two off work is sometimes necessary to recover after gum contouring. Your dentist is the best expert to advise you on the expected duration of your recovery.
What is the difference between family and cosmetic dentistry?
Family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry might overlap in some areas, but they are fundamentally different fields of dentistry. A family dentist is your go-to provider for preventative care services and treatment of minor dental problems. They clean the plaque buildup on your teeth and check for signs of dental conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, sensitive teeth, and dry mouth. They offer guidance to enhance your dental regimen, lifestyle, and diet for improved oral health.
However, cosmetic dentists concentrate on improving the look of your teeth and gums
using modern dental treatments. Some include bridges, implants, veneers, crowns, inlays, onlays, composite fillings, and teeth whitening. If you need clarification about whether family or cosmetic dentistry will benefit you, check if the provider's expertise and experience align with your medical needs before booking your appointment.
When should you see a cosmetic dentist?
Visiting a cosmetic dentist is recommended if you have deformed, chipped, discolored, or missing teeth and want to fix them. A cosmetic dentist may suggest simple and sophisticated solutions based on your desired outcome.
If you are unhappy with their smile because of tooth discoloration, teeth crowding, or teeth gaps, getting dental veneers at a cosmetic dentist's clinic is the solution. Besides cosmetic enhancement, you may want to visit a cosmetic dentist near you if you have damaged your teeth in an accident or injury and your teeth are cracked, chipped, or missing.
Cosmetic dentistry has several aesthetic and functional benefits for your teeth and gums. Some expected benefits include-
- Enhance the appearance of your smile and raise self-confidence: If you have issues with your smile due to concerns like stained teeth, excessive gingival display (a gummy smile), and chipped or crooked teeth, cosmetic dental procedures can help drastically improve the situation and help you regain your confidence. Procedures like veneer placement can help to make your smile symmetrical, and dental bonding can conceal chips or cracks.
- Improves oral health and function: Decayed, cracked, or crooked teeth can give rise to several other oral health problems like jaw pain and periodontal (gum) disease. Issues like crooked teeth may also make it harder to brush or floss in between teeth and lead to the formation of cavities. This can ultimately lead to decay if overlooked. Cosmetic dental procedures correct crooked or cracked teeth, thus improving oral functions such as chewing and preventing caries.
- Offers long-lasting results: The effects of cosmetic dentistry often last over a long period. Some cosmetic dental procedures will maintain your smile for a decade or more without retreatment.
- Short recovery time: Cosmetic dental procedures are quick processes with little to no recovery period. Unlike other dental treatments, which could take three weeks or a month to recover fully, you may be able to eat or drink all your desired food within a couple of days of the procedure.
How to choose the right cosmetic dentist?
Once you’ve decided to undergo a cosmetic dental procedure, the next step is to choose the right cosmetic dentist for your needs. The following tips will help you make an informed decision to find the best cosmetic dentist near you:
- Experience and qualifications: Most practices and websites showcase their team’s qualifications and experience. You can review them to check if the staff is competent and qualified to perform the surgery. Accordingly, you can also check if they have the expertise to perform the cosmetic dental procedure you want. Some cosmetic dentists can also specialize in a particular surgery or field. Hence, you can choose such cosmetic dentists for better assurance.
- Assess the patient base: After making a few selections, you can check their existing customer testimonials and reviews. It will help you understand the type of cosmetic dental procedures at the practice. Furthermore, it helps identify the age group of the existing patients since children and older adults have different dental needs. Hence, it can help you find someone with the right experience suited to your needs.
- Browse the before and after photos: Most cosmetic dentists share their patient’s experiences online. Hence, you can go through them to see how professional cosmetic dental procedures look. It will help you understand what to expect and if the procedures look satisfactory.
- Ask for finance options: Different practices may have varying finance options or payment plans for their procedures. Cosmetic dental procedures can be costly, and exploring this area can help get the desired level of expertise for the value.
- Get a second opinion: After discussing cosmetic dental procedures and their associated costs, you can check the same from other practices. Many cosmetic dentists may try to “sell” the procedures to you with mediocre work. Hence, comparing expertise, qualifications, and patient testimonials is a good idea to choose the right cosmetic dentist suited for you.
What can you expect at your initial cosmetic dentist appointment?
Whether you are going for treatments like dental implants, veneers, or teeth whitening, your first visit to a cosmetic dentist near you will begin like a visit to your regular dentist. During an initial consultation, your dentist and the dental care team, which consists of dental hygienists, will guide you through the process. Your cosmetic dentist may ask what you want to change about your smile.
You can also speak to your dentist about any difficulties you are experiencing with how your teeth are functioning, such as difficulty chewing or frequent cavities. At this point, your doctor will want to understand your medical and family history. They may also want to review past X-rays or impressions.
Your dental care team will then want to see if you are eligible for treatment options like gum contouring, veneer placement, or braces. To do so, they will conduct an oral examination and check for signs of oral disease- which needs to be treated- before performing any cosmetic procedure. This may involve taking impressions, X-rays, or 3D imaging of your teeth and gums. It allows them to check for cavities and gum disease, view the exact position of your teeth in the jaw, and check if you have an improper bite, i.e., if your upper set of teeth fit correctly over the lower teeth.
Depending on your oral health and finances, you can discuss your cosmetic goals with your dental provider and ask them about the best treatment option they would recommend. It is also necessary to talk about the longevity of your treatment and how often you would need retreatment. Further, you can ask to see before and after pictures of the treatment you are seeking.
Best cosmetic dentist near you in Scottsdale, Arizona
Eating and speaking might be difficult if you have decaying, crooked, or discolored teeth. The condition of your teeth may also affect your self-esteem. According to the American Dental Association's 2015 survey, about 33% of young people are reluctant to smile due to teeth and mouth conditions. In such cases, looking for qualified cosmetic dentists for your specific treatment is essential, and Zocdoc does precisely that.
Zocdoc connects you with providers offering the best cosmetic dentistry in Scottsdale, Arizona. After signing up on the Zocdoc website by clicking the 'Patients' option, you must type in 'cosmetic dentist' under the search option and 'Scottsdale, Arizona' as the location. Our comprehensive healthcare directory will access Scottsdale's top-rated and experienced cosmetic dentist profiles, which you can filter based on their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and languages. Each doctor's profile displays patient ratings and reviews to help pick the best cosmetic dentist for your unique case. You can also include your insurance plan details to find a cosmetic dentist near you who accepts your plan.
Alternatively, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information to get auto-filtered results of providers within your insurance network. You can also upload a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app to get filtered results. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Once you have made your choice, Zocdoc shall assist you in instantly booking a virtual or an in-person appointment based on your provider's availability. All bookings made with Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!
Statistics on tooth decay among kids in Arizona
The Healthy Smiles Healthy Bodies survey (2015) by the Arizona Department of Health Services reveals that around 52% of kindergarten children in Arizona have a history of tooth decay, which is more than half of the kindergarten children population. The finding for Arizona ranked higher than the United States national average for children aged five, which stood at 36%.
The survey also reported that almost 2 out of 3 third-grade children in Arizona have a history of tooth decay. Statistics for Arizona stood at 64%, which is 12% higher than corresponding findings for third-grade children of the general US population (52%). Over one-fourth of Arizona's kindergarteners and third-graders (28%) have untreated tooth decay (slightly higher than the US national average of 22%). About 44% of Arizona's third-graders have a minimum of one dental sealant on a permanent molar tooth, again higher than that among the general US third-grade population, which stands at 32%.
The Healthy Smiles Healthy Bodies survey's result highlighted some oral health disparities among children attending lower-income schools in Arizona. It found the highest decay experience and untreated tooth decay prevalence among American Indian and Hispanic children in Arizona.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Colgate
Forbes
Arizona Department of Health Services
Dentrix Dental Care
Your Smile Becomes You
Mintdental.ca
trilliumsmiledentistry.com
Ringway Dental
American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Oral Health Foundation
Cleveland Clinic[1]
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Cleveland Clinic[3]
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Carolina Smiles
