Cosmetic dentistry is different from traditional dentistry. Traditional dentistry deals with things such as treating any type of oral disease you may have been diagnosed with and oral hygiene whereas cosmetic dentistry deals with improving the way your teeth look. An easier way to put it is that traditional dentistry deals with oral care that is needed such as cleaning and fillings but cosmetic dentistry deals with optional procedures such as adding veneers or performing laser teeth whitening.
Cosmetic dentists provide a wide array of cosmetic treatments that include things such as teeth whitening, composite bonding, dental veneers, full mouth reconstruction or dental implants. Composite bonding includes repairing teeth that are broken, decayed or discolored. This procedure uses a material which is put on the surface of your teeth and gives you a brighter smile. Teeth whitening deals with bleaching your teeth, which may be stained from drinking coffee, red wine or from smoking.
Cosmetic dentists today are using more state-of-the-art equipment and more up to date techniques than they did a few years ago. The dental industry is constantly changing and is coming up with new technological advances all the time. Lasers, for example, are now used in the teeth whitening process instead of bleaching. In years past, if you needed a dental filling, the filling was made of materials that left dark spots on your teeth. Today, however, these fillings may be made of porcelain that will be extremely close to the natural coloring of your teeth.