People used to think of cosmetic dentistry only as the procedures to improve teeth. However, your smile includes the teeth in the foreground, the gums in the background, and the lips that frame them all. Therefore, modern cosmetic dentistry procedures now include improving the teeth and gums through cosmetic dental procedures and improving the lips through cosmetic facial procedures.

What treatments are included in enhancing a smile

• Improving color with teeth whitening
• Reconstructive treatment, such as dental veneers and dental crowns
• Aesthetic orthodontic treatment
• Aesthetic surgery of the gums
• Tooth replacement
• Aesthetic facial treatment, such as lip augmentation with fillers and Botox

Tooth colour, shape and size

Cosmetic dentistry can improve the colour, shape or size of teeth. This can be achieved with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening is done in the office and takes about an hour. In-office teeth whitening provides better results, especially when it comes to dark or uneven colors. Dramatic color changes may require either veneers or crowns. Ceramic restorations cover dark tooth colors and can be made to be very bright. Veneers cover only the front of the teeth, while crowns surround the teeth. With new materials and advances in technology, dentists can create very thin veneers with colors as bright as the patient desires. Veneers and crowns can also correct the size or shape of teeth and close gaps between teeth.

Crooked teeth

Crooked teeth can now be straightened in a few months with modern orthodontic treatment. Advances in bracket and wire technology allow for amazing results that can be achieved in as little as 6 months. Orthodontic treatment can be performed with traditional braces or removable aligners.

Aesthetic periodontal surgery

Cosmetic periodontal/gum surgery is an important part of cosmetic dentistry. In addition to treating gum disease, gum surgery can correct short teeth to improve that length to width ratio of teeth. In addition, gum surgery is used to treat cases where the smile shows excessive appearance of gum tissue when the patient smiles. This can be corrected by either gum surgery, orthodontics, lip repositioning surgery, or Botox injections.