Many are confused when it comes to the difference between a cosmetic dentist and a traditional dentist. Basically, traditional dentists diagnose and treat issues with the teeth and gums, perform teeth cleanings, fill cavities, etc. They also educate patients, teaching them the importance of proper oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. A cosmetic dentist, on the other hand, helps improve the patient’s smile using special cosmetic techniques like creating veneers.
Patients who come to a cosmetic dentist often do so because they want to improve their smile. While a general dentist will fill cavities and conduct dental exams, a cosmetic dentist is trained to perform cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Esteem
If you have chips or cracks in your teeth, you may not feel too confident about your appearance. This may mean that you avoid social situations or that you don’t smile too often.
Once of the first things that people notice about others is their smile. You don’t want people to fixate on your discolored or crooked teeth.
In a short amount of time, a cosmetic dentist can fix your teeth and help to improve your esteem.
Replacing Fillings
In years past, cavities were repaired with materials like gold and silver. This left very visible discolorations on the tooth. A cosmetic dentist can replace those colored fillings with porcelain colored fillings. By doing this, no one will know that you have had cavities filled. This is especially helpful if your fillings are between your front teeth or on other visible parts of the tooth.
The Cost of Cosmetic Procedures
The cost of cosmetic procedures vary depending upon the type of procedure. In some cases, the procedure may be covered by dental insurance. In other cases, it will not. Before consenting to any type of cosmetic procedure, check with your insurance company.
Some cosmetic dentists will set up payment plans for clients. This makes it very easy to pay for the procedures.
Options for Repairing Teeth
Make sure to explore all of your options before choosing a particular procedure or before seeing a cosmetic dentist. In some cases, your regular dentist may be able to repair minor cosmetic problems with your teeth.
Finally, keep in mind that you often get what you pay for. While you may be concerned about the cost of cosmetic procedures, it is important to choose a dentist based upon experience and qualifications. Choosing a dentist just because he or she has reasonable rates may cause problems for you down the line.
If you’ve been hesitant to go see the dentist because of fear regarding the pain you’ll have to endure, you may be surprised by the ease and relative painlessness of some of the new procedures available. You’ll also be pleased to know that your dental insurance should cover some of the procedures you’ll need to have done. If you don’t have insurance, talk to your dentist about setting up a payment plan to make the bills more manageable.
