Who is a Cosmetic Dentist?
Everyone hears about and sees advertisements for cosmetic dentistry, but what does that really mean? Is it a new dental specialty or simply a trend?
A dentist dedicated to cosmetics has made it their focus to learn more about esthetic principles and apply them to all aspects of dentistry to improve the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bite. Although it’s not a dental specialty, it encompasses the way of thinking and practicing modern dentistry. Dentistry re-imagined.
A healthy and symmetric smile with the correct proportions is the beginning of every dental reconstruction. This will guide where the back teeth will fall into place and ensure there is harmony between esthetics, function, and overall oral health.
When we talk about cosmetic dentistry, it would be an understatement if we thought that cosmetic dentistry only means teeth. Of course, the position, size, shape, and color of teeth play a primary role, but we should look at the entire picture. That includes the health, shape, and symmetry of the gums around the teeth, the lips movement while talking, smiling, or even resting. The relationship of all other facial features will also influence the smile design. We have all seen friends or family proud of their new smile, but to an outsider may negatively stand out. That usually happens when the new teeth are designed without taking into consideration the person and their overall characteristics to ensure a natural and seamless result.
As dentists, we use several methods to gather information about esthetics and determine the best course of action. Among others, it includes digital photography of smiles, videos of patients talking and smiling, along with other more in-depth techniques to see the dynamic movements of the muscles and how they affect the perception of esthetics. Additionally, we use facial and intraoral scanners to design the new esthetic design for the smile or dental reconstruction.
The drive and trend towards cosmetic dentistry is certainly fueled by our patients’ expectations requiring a natural and healthy smile. There are numerous short continued-education courses that our dentists have taken throughout the years to improve their knowledge or sharpen their skills in cosmetics. We also have a team specialized in prosthodontics, which means they have completed a full three-year additional curriculum to develop skill sets in advanced cosmetic dentistry and full mouth reconstruction.
