Who does not adore a pearly-white smile that can brighten up any room? Cosmetic dentistry is no longer a field of aesthetics limited to just the rich and famous. More and more people are choosing to undergo a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures to enhance their smile and improve the appearance of their teeth. Like every medical or dental procedure though, cosmetic dentistry carries its own shares of advantages and disadvantages. Educating yourself about each procedure can help you make a more informed decision and decide on the right cosmetic dentistry treatment for yourself.
Pros of Cosmetic Dentistry
Improved Appearance:
The main aim of any cosmetic dentistry procedure is to brighten, whiten and straighten your smile. By improving the appearance of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry increases your self-confidence and brings great benefits to both your personal and professional life. Anything from minor chips and cracks to major defects on your teeth can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry. Healthy teeth also take years off your appearance, giving you a more youthful look and allowing you to feel younger as well.
Treatment of Dental Issues:
When you opt for a cosmetic dentistry procedure, your dentist doesn’t just take care of the appearance of your teeth but also treats any underlying dental problems you may have. These can include the restoration of cavities, treating gum disease, extracting teeth that cannot be saved, etc. Achieving a beautiful smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry also gives patients the motivation to take better care of their oral health and practice good dental hygiene.
Wide Range of Treatment Options:
The field of cosmetic dentistry offers a comprehensive range of treatment options to choose from. Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and most affordable procedures, with more elaborate options like dental veneers allowing patients to achieve a dreamy ‘Hollywood smile’.
Cons of Cosmetic Dentistry
Expensive Procedures:
Cosmetic dentistry has always been seen as a costly investment. Most of the procedures in the field can prove to be quite heavy on the pocket and are usually not covered by insurance providers either. Patients should consider all their options and figure their true purpose for getting any kind of cosmetic dentistry procedure before going ahead with it.
Extensive Treatments:
While some procedures like teeth whitening are quick and don’t require any recovery period, others might be a little more elaborate. Procedures like dental implants require undergoing minor surgery and can take months for completion. Dental veneers require some amount of tooth preparation and most patients are fitted in with temporary crowns before their final veneers are fitted in. Such patients need to remain on a specific diet until their final restoration is placed on their teeth. Most procedures would also require patients to get treatments done under local anesthesia, as small amounts of pain may be associated with them.
Maintenance:
The results obtained from any cosmetic dentistry procedure allow individuals to achieve an impressive improvement in their appearance. But some of these treatments may also require substantial upkeep that is necessary to maintain the results of the procedure. People who get dental veneers or get their teeth whitened should ideally avoid foods that could cause staining. People with dental crowns and dental implants should refrain from hard foods that can fracture or chip off the surface of the restoration.
Post-Op Complications:
Some cosmetic dentistry procedures are associated with post-treatment complications. These can include tooth sensitivity due to dental bleaching, gum recession with dental implants and dental crowns, and chances of infection or bleeding with any surgical procedure.
Visit us at RiverRock Dental to get more details about the different cosmetic dentistry procedures we offer and get a consultation to know which treatment is best suited for you.
