Dentistry should be the most developed medical science because it holds the record for having the very first medical specialization in the form of dental surgery. Historical records indicate that as early as 9,000 years ago, there was evidence that showed that teeth had been drilled in the Harrapan periods of the development of the Indus Valley civilization. Hence, it is not superfluous to expect that dentistry should be highly developed by now, given that long line of history.
As a branch of medicine, dentistry has indeed become a highly scientific medical branch, and as such, dentistry has evolved various specializations like those of endodontics, forensic odontology, geriatric dentistry, oral implantology, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, special needs dentistry, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial prosthodontics, and many more. But two areas of dentistry that enthuse many people so much are restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The question as to whether we need cosmetic dental care was first answered by one of the NYC cosmetic dentists I’ve met in my travel to New York. Cosmetic dentistry, according to her, is a field of dentistry that refers to the dental work that is aimed at improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, bite, or gums, though these procedures may not be actually designed to improve the functionalities of these organs.
Cosmetic dentistry is still not yet a recognized specific dental specialty, and for this reason, dentists who engage in the different procedures of cosmetic dentistry generally do not need certifications to perform these procedures. Many dentists, however, usually append this term to their titles to enhance the marketing of their dental services.
This area of dentistry basically has two fields, namely prosthodontics and orthodontics. It also includes procedures like the addition of any dental material to gums or teeth, removal of gums or tooth structure, teeth whitening, gum depigmentation, laser whitening, and straightening of teeth with concomitant enhancement of facial appearance.
The Benefits Derived from Cosmetics Dentistry
Dental patients can definitely gain much from cosmetic dentistry. One such benefit is the whitening of teeth or tooth bleaching. With this cosmetic procedure, you can have the coloration of your teeth removed or whitened. You can also undergo laser whitening—a dental procedure in which gums are covered by rubber and then a bleaching chemical is applied on the surface of the teeth. Afterwards, the dental area is targeted by an Argon laser to speed up the bleaching process.
If you have a misshapen tooth, for example, you can also undergo a cosmetic dental procedure to improve the shape of your tooth. You can undergo bonding likewise, a cosmetic dental procedure wherein dental composite material is meticulously applied on the tooth's surface and then sculpted into the desired shape. Dental bridges, on the other hand, are usually utilized to replace any missing teeth. This procedure requires preparing both teeth beside the space left by the lost tooth. A bridge with abutments is then positioned and a false tooth is prepared for the missing tooth. Bridges are fixed and you can never remove them. Lastly, other procedures done in cosmetic dentistry include the use of veneers, dental implants, gum lift, Invisalign treatment, bite reclamation, on-lays, and inlay procedures.