Cosmetic dentistry (also known as “esthetic” dentistry) is primarily focused on the appearance of the teeth, gums and related facial soft tissues. Modern digital world has sensitized us about our looks, and cosmetic dentistry holds an appeal, especially among the youth. Smile is an important characteristic of our face and the look of our smile and the balanced look of the teeth in relation to the gums and lips forms the backbone of this aspect of dentistry.

So what procedures are included in cosmetic dentistry? Here is a brief intro of the procedures which may fall under this category.

Braces: Braces on your teeth, especially the invisible ones, help with alignment of the teeth and over a period of time bring teeth into their most appropriate positions, both esthetically and functionally. You can read more about braces here

Dental Implants: Gone are the days where the neighboring teeth of the missing tooth were compromised for placement of a joined restoration (a “bridge”). Dental implants are placed in the bone and bring about the best functional and esthetic look for the missing teeth. Read more about the dental implants here.

Tooth whitening: Otherwise known as bleaching, is a procedure which helps in achieving a whiter appearance of the teeth.

Restorations: Replacement of missing teeth, or parts of teeth, especially with tooth colored materials makes sure that the look and function of the teeth and bite is optimum, ensuring excellent esthetics.

Veneers: Are very thin tooth colored ceramic facings, used to improve the shape and look of front teeth that may have defects and discolorations. Well-made veneers give a strikingly beautiful appearance to the teeth.

Scaling/polishing: One of the most commonly employed dental procedures, scaling is the process of removing hard and soft deposits (calculus and plaque) from the surfaces of the teeth and their interface with the gums. Improvement in the esthetics is very noticeable and instant, especially after polishing these surfaces after cleaning.