Cosmetic Dentistry Combines Art and Science
Cosmetic dentistry, these days, sometimes combines science with fine art. This requires a craftsman's skill to make sure the tooth restoration is as attractive as it is durable. After all, your smile is too valuable to be spoiled by unnatural-looking dental veneers.
The goal of a cosmetic dentist should be to provide you with an attractive, natural-appearing smile. You have a wide array of choices, and a good cosmetic dentistry professional should be happy to review the possibilities with you. For example, porcelain onlays and inlays can return structural integrity to a broken tooth, while leaving it looking as good as (or possibly better than) the original.
This is especially apparent if you now have metal fillings or a gold tooth. Metal and gold, after all, are not normal components of teeth. There's a huge difference between gold or metal combination fillings and porcelain dental crowns that reflect the translucence of natural teeth. Plus, porcelain restorations are now as strong, or stronger, than your own teeth. Ask your cosmetic dentist to take before-and-after photos so you can see the difference for yourself.
Admittedly, these more natural-appearing restorations are also a little more expensive. And many dental insurance plans may not cover all of the cost for cosmetic dental work. But in terms of your appearance (and the self-confidence it boosts), there's no comparison.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
The Psychology of Cosmetic Dentistry Work
We all suspect that how we look makes a difference in our lives. Think of the days when everything is going fine - that's a day you're feeling good and probably looking good.
In our teens, looks are everything. But as we get older, we tend to take our appearance for granted, and rely instead on our skills and professional competence to make up for any "cosmetic" imperfections.
Well, "cosmetic" is more than skin deep. We form very real biases about the people around us, even as adults, based on the simple fact of appearance. And the most critical factor in such judgments, according to copious research, is the teeth.
Yes, women are concerned about shape, as men are impressed by height. But everyone reacts the same to a healthy, beautiful smile. Whether we like it or not, people with straight white teeth are perceived to be more honest, more productive, more out-going, trusting, successful - you name it - than their counterparts with a missing tooth or broken teeth.
Your dentist has seen this psychology at work. For his or her patients, children and adults alike, cosmetic dentistry has made a tangible improvement not just in smiles, but in the quality of lives. A smile enhanced by restorative dentistry brings dramatic changes - changes more than "skin deep."
With new materials and techniques - tooth bonding, teeth bleaching, dental veneers, invisible braces - your cosmetic dentist is excited about the "magic" he or she can make. They've seen self-esteem grow before their eyes. Your dentist can help you look good, feel good, and get on with a healthy, vital life. Cosmetic dentistry? Go for it!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.