Cosmetic Dentistry

A recent study performed by Beall Research & Training of Chicago on behalf of the <a American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), revealed that individuals who have a beautiful smile not only appear more attractive to other people but also successful, intelligent, interesting and wealthy. Whether or not you agree with the findings of the study, one fact remains true: the popularity of <a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=http://www.drsofsmiles.com/cosmetic-dentistry.html>cosmetic dentistry</a> is on the rise because the results can make people feel more self-confident in their personal and professional lives.

The Many Facets of Cosmetic Dentistry

The field of cosmetic dentistry encompasses many different facets, and the various procedures available under this umbrella term can help:

• Correct teeth that are damaged, such as chipped, broken or cracked
• Change the shape of a patient’s gum line
• Whiten and brighten stained or discolored teeth
• Eliminate gaps between teeth
• Make short or narrow teeth appear longer
• Replace missing teeth
• Straighten teeth without metal braces

When dental problems such as these are corrected or eliminated, most patients report that they walk taller, smile more and are generally happier. For some patients, one cosmetic dentistry procedure can drastically change the smile while other patients require several procedures to achieve the desired results (a smile makeover).

Secret to Conceal a Multitude of Dental Problems

The chances are high that someone you know has incorporated porcelain veneers into their smile. These thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the front of imperfect, but healthy, teeth to create a dazzling smile. Porcelain veneers conceal problems such as:

• Chips or cracks
• Gaps between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Misshapen teeth

They can be used to mask one problem tooth or create an entirely new smile on a mouthful of teeth (also called instant orthodontics). Porcelain veneers look and feel natural and are highly durable.

Lose That Gummy Smile

People who have excessive gum tissue or uneven gum lines may appear to have unhealthy and irregular teeth. In many cases, the teeth are simply competing with the gum line; and the gum line is winning. A procedure called laser gum recontouring can quickly, precisely and painlessly reveal the natural beauty of the patient’s teeth by removing small amounts of the gum tissue. The laser procedure reduces the risk of infection and accelerates the healing process.

Aesthetic Corrections and Beyond

Cosmetic dentistry can address a multitude of aesthetic dental issues through other procedures, such as:

• Tooth whitening
• Dental implants to permanently replace missing teeth
• Porcelain inlays or onlays to fill large areas of tooth decay
• Porcelain crowns to preserve damaged teeth
• White composite fillings

Neuromuscular dentistry goes beyond the aesthetic to focus on jaw misalignment, which can be the root of the problem in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD). Through the use of high-tech instruments to identify and record the jaw’s correct position, neuromuscular dentistry can provide treatment plan options to alleviate the symptoms of this disorder, including:

• Face, jaw, neck, back or shoulder pain
• Jaw clicking/popping
• Severe headaches
• Ringing in the ears

Neuromuscular cosmetic dentists trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) are especially equipped to understand how the jaw affects the health of the rest of the body and provide relief for those suffering from TMJ.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry options, please visit the website of LVI-trained Arizona cosmetic dentist <a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=http://www.drsofsmiles.com/about-dentists.html>Dr. Scott LeSueur</a> for a <a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=http://www.drsofsmiles.com/contact.html>free cosmetic dentistry consultation</a>.