Cosmetic Dentistry - What Is It, Really?

Plastic surgery is so well known, it now virtually considered routine. Medicine has evolved to perfect our faces, breasts, butts, legs, eyes, and chins. We agonize over how pants fit our butts, how our noses look in profile, and how our chests fill a sweater. Yet, many social studies have shown that the first thing people notice in another person is his or her smile. The most prominent feature on our face is our smile. While most people are aware of the advances of medicine in the field of plastic surgery, most are not aware of how cosmetic dentistry can dramatically impact facial appearance. In my opinion, a smile makeover can have far more impact than even the most dramatic facelift.

A quick perusal of the “Dentists” section of the Yellow Pages would lead you to believe every dentist is a cosmetic dentist. The common and cavalier use of the term, “cosmetic dentistry” has diminished its definition and uniqueness as a specialized skill among dentists. What is cosmetic dentistry, after all? What’s new in cosmetic dentistry? If it’s so common, is it the same, no matter where I go? How do I know where to go for cosmetic dental treatment? I will try to answer some of these questions in this and future articles.

So, what is cosmetic dentistry? It can include a wide range of procedures designed to make a smile whiter, straighter, and more youthful. Individual patient’s needs can range from simply whitening with bleaching products to a complex full smile reconstruction with veneers, crowns and bridges.

Choosing a dentist for cosmetic treatment can be a daunting task. There isn’t a lot of information for consumers in the public domain. It is important to know the qualifications and experience of a cosmetic dentist. To perform cosmetic dentistry at the highest level requires a thorough knowledge of science and an artistic eye. Cosmetic Dentistry is not a degreed specialty like oral surgery or endodontics. However, there are a few cosmetic training institutes recognized by the profession at large. Among the most prestigious are: Aesthetic Advantage, Las Vegas Institute, Nash Institute, and Hornbrook Group. Ask the dentist about this kind of training. Perhaps the best way to evaluate a dentist’s skills in this challenging discipline is to actually see photographs of actual cases. Ask to see examples of treatment you may be considering. Carefully look at the whole smile. Do the results look attractive and natural?

Perhaps the biggest advance in cosmetic dentistry has been Porcelain Veneers. The development of this treatment was a result of the demand for a conservative way to change the color, shape, size and alignment of teeth. Porcelain veneers are more conservative than crowns and are strong and natural restorations. With porcelain veneers, a smile can typically be transformed in just two visits. If you are concerned about discoloration, gaps, worn and chipped teeth, or crooked and crowded teeth, porcelain veneers may be the solution.

Over the past several years, I have spent hundreds of hours in training with a focus on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. Besides constantly training, I have helped teach dentists from around the world the art and science of cosmetic dentistry as a clinical instructor with some of the most prestigious cosmetic training institutes in the country.

To learn more about Cosmetic Dentistry visit my website at http://www.palmbeach-smiles.com/ or call my office for a complimentary cosmetic consult at 561-736-2377. We are conveniently located on Boynton Beach Blvd., one block west of I-95.