Understanding the Different Cosmetic Dental Treatments

Did you know that people visit the dentist for all kinds of reasons? You might only make an appointment for your regular teeth cleanings, but there are a host of different cosmetic dental treatments available to help you look and feel your best, no matter what your issues with your current smile are. 

At Downtown Dental Studios, we offer many cosmetic treatments, from veneers to Invisalign and more. Our licensed providers — Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD — as well as our expert staff, want you to ensure you have your dream smile. After all, we believe it’s crucial to be happy with your oral health inside and out!   

The lowdown on cosmetic dentistry 

First thing’s first. What is cosmetic dentistry? It’s commonly defined as a number of treatments, both subtle and apparent, that provide you with the kind of smile you most desire. Depending on your situation, one procedure might do the trick, but often, multiple treatments are used in tandem to create a fully desired effect. 

Cosmetic dentistry might sound unnecessary, but with the growing geriatric population, among other factors, it’s become extremely popular, even common, to seek these types of procedures. The US market for cosmetic dentistry is expected to reach 32.7 billion by 2026.

But these treatments aren’t just style over substance. Though considered cosmetic because they might not be necessary, certain treatments can help improve your overall oral health while improving your smile. For example, staring Invisalign can help improve your bite, which will decrease the potential of oral health problems down the line due to difficulty with cleaning. 

As such, cosmetic dental treatments are becoming more and more popular, helpful to your overall health, and, as you expected, a way to increase your self-esteem!  

Cosmetic dental treatments 101 

As previously stated, certain procedures may be used together to create the best possible results. But it’s still important to understand the different cosmetic procedures we offer and what each of them does. 

Veneers 

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that go over the front surface of your tooth. They create a whiter, healthier-looking smile, and they’re a great way to cover up cracked, discolored, or misshapen teeth. Veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, although they can also help with many health-related issues, such as protecting weak or fragile teeth. 

Crowns

Crowns are like caps that sit over the whole tooth, covering chipped, stained, or discolored teeth. A crown is a great way to fix one damaged or displeasing tooth that has been bothering you. Crowns are also used in a non-cosmetic sense to cover teeth that have been damaged and to protect them from further harm. 

Crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is a process that often goes hand-in-hand with a crown procedure. It allows your dentist to uncover more of your tooth beneath your gums. Sometimes, this is necessary for better oral hygiene, while it can be used to improve the look of a gummy smile. 

Bonding

Dental bonding is one of the best treatment options for those who have large spaces between their teeth and want to create the effect of teeth that are closer together. Bonding uses resin the same color as your teeth to fill the gaps. It can also be used to lengthen shorter teeth than the others. 

Invisalign

Invisalign is a treatment that can help straighten your teeth without traditional braces. It uses clear plastic aligners that fit your teeth and shift them into the correct alignment over time. Invisalign is also much more comfortable and discrete than regular braces, and it works up to 50% faster! 

Implants

Believe it or not, implants — which are used to replace a missing tooth due to decay or injury — are often considered cosmetic because of the way they significantly impact the appearance of your smile. What’s more, having a missing tooth can not only hurt your self-esteem, but it can also be problematic for your oral health. We often recommend implants to patients with one or a few missing teeth. 

Want to learn more about cosmetic dental treatments? 

Are you considering one of these procedures or wondering which one (or more than one) will be best for your needs? Contact us at our New York City office by calling 212-964-3337. You can also make an appointment online for your procedure.