Blog

What is Cosmetic Dentistry and What Could It Do for My Smile?

Perhaps you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks and would like to improve it but aren’t quite sure what all the different cosmetic dental treatments do, let alone how they might help improve your teeth. It’s true that there are a lot of different treatments than fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, and you can invest a considerable sum of money in having a complete smile makeover, or you can choose to be a little more conservative in how much you spend. Even a few minor cosmetic dental enhancements can make all the difference to how your teeth look.

The word cosmetic is derived from the ancient Greek word kosmetike, which means the art of ornament, something that may seem appropriate for dental treatments which are supposed to just change the appearance of teeth rather than actually improve oral health. However this isn’t always true, as some cosmetic dental treatments, for example orthodontic treatment, can actually help to improve oral health through making it easier to brush and floss your teeth.

Book a Cosmetic Dental Consultation at Leeds City Dentalcare

The first thing to do is to book a consultation with Dr David Brown or another of the dentists here in our Leeds surgery. You’ll get an honest assessment as to what can be done for your smile whilst staying within your budget. It is important to find a dentist in Leeds you can trust, and who will listen to your concerns about your smile and that’s something you’ll definitely find at Leeds City Dentalcare.

Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist Does Make a Difference

It is important to choose a dentist who has an artistic eye, especially if you are planning to have an extensive smile makeover. This is because they are able to design your smile to suit your face and your personality, and will take into account your age, your hair colour, and your skin tone. They’ll also be able to advise you on the kind of look that will suit you best. For example teeth should generally be no whiter than the whites of your eyes if you hope to achieve a beautifully natural looking smile.Our surgery in Leeds has a Smile Gallery which is a collection of before and after photos of actual patients as we’re proud of our work! You can rest assured we’ll work with you to design the smile you really want.

Cosmetic Dental Treatments

The most popular cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening, and this is also a truly cosmetic dental treatment as it has no other purpose other than to enhance the look of your teeth. Most of the other dental treatments will have some additional effect on your teeth.

For example dental veneers can be used to change the colour of your teeth and to mask any discolourations, but they can also restore the length of teeth that have become worn or which have become chipped and are a relatively conservative method of restoring and repairing teeth.

Dental bonding is another good example, as it can be used to hide minor imperfections in teeth, and to replace small fillings in front teeth. When used in combination with dental contouring, this straightforward treatment can have a considerable effect on a smile without costing a fortune.

Dental crowns are an excellent way of restoring teeth that have been damaged or which have suffered decay. While dental crowns are functional, their effect can also be cosmetically pleasing. Dental bridges replace missing teeth, and help to support the lips and cheeks. While dental bridges are functional, they can also have quite the cosmetic effect.

Dental implants are an increasingly popular way of replacing missing teeth, and while they do have a remarkable cosmetic effect, providing excellent aesthetic results, they’re also extremely good at maintaining a healthy jawbone.

---