You may have heard the term cosmetic dentistry but have no idea what it really is. As the name suggests, this field of dentistry focuses on the appearance of your smile. The goal is to give you renewed confidence by improving the look of your smile.

The flaws in your smile might be minor, like a small chipped tooth or a slight gap between teeth. Or they might be more noticeable like major discolorations or severely crooked teeth. If the problem is significant in your own eyes, then it’s worth contacting a cosmetic dentist to correct it.

There are many cosmetic dentists practicing today, so finding one who meets your needs shouldn’t be difficult. Once you’ve selected a practice, schedule a consultation so that you can voice your smile concerns and find out ways that it can be improved. Not only will the dentist focus on the appearance of your smile, its functionality and health will also be considered. A cosmetic dentist looks at the big picture as your smile is transformed.

Cosmetic dentistry provides numerous options for improving smiles. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Porcelain veneers – thin shells that are secured on the fronts of your teeth to hide chips, cracks, stains, gaps and more
• Dental implants – titanium rod inserted into the jaw to replace a missing tooth root and then covered with a crown on top, providing a very natural and functional tooth replacement
• Teeth whitening – the most popular of all cosmetic dental treatments, professional teeth whitening tackles stains and can brighten your smile up to ten shades in under an hour
• Bonding – minor chips and cracks can be repaired by bonding them using composite resin material, and then polished to blend perfectly into your smile
• Composite fillings – old fillings were often performed using unsightly metal which can now be replaced with tooth-colored resin that is invisible in your smile
• Invisalign – traditional metal braces may be avoided by wearing clear plastic aligners to move your teeth without the “brace face” appearance during the process

If you are unhappy with your smile, contact a cosmetic dentist today to get your transformation underway.