When Cosmetic Dentistry Is More Than Making Your Smile Look Better

Few people are born with naturally perfect smiles. Little gaps, minor crookedness, and a wide range of colors mean that smiles are nearly as individual as fingerprints. When these flaws are more pronounced, they go beyond simple appearances and may cause oral health problems. 

For instance, a root canal is, in itself, a repair procedure designed to save an infected tooth. Adding a crown to the tooth certainly improves its appearance, but it also adds a degree of strength to the tooth, reducing the chances of further damage down the road. 

The line between functional and cosmetic dental treatments is often narrow. An experienced practice like Lancaster Dental Care Associates considers all aspects and outcomes when you require dental work, making them the choice as your complete dentist in Lancaster, California. 

Cosmetic dentistry procedures

Cosmetic dentistry treatments usually have two restoration goals: the appearance of your smile as well as the impact on your overall dental health. Since a healthy, bright smile is often part of a patient’s self-esteem, how a dental treatment looks can be as important as how well it fixes a problem. 

Common procedures regarded as cosmetic dentistry include:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dental implants
• Porcelain veneers
• Teeth whitening
• Tooth-colored fillings

As you can see, some of these procedures also address the role of your teeth in overall oral health. In particular, bridges, crowns, implants, and veneers can replace lost teeth or help repair tooth damage. These repairs can be made without affecting the appearance of your smile. In many cases, these treatments can improve upon your natural teeth. 

Supporting dental hygiene

Keeping your teeth clean and gums healthy is easiest when your teeth are straight and evenly spaced. Brushing and flossing is more efficient when there are fewer places for food remnants and plaque to hide. Missing, chipped, or crooked teeth can affect your bite, causing issues with tooth wear, chewing, and even speaking in extreme cases. 

Improved oral mechanics

Invisalign® is taking the world by storm, providing a discreet and effective way to improve teeth alignment problems without the problems associated with conventional braces. Though on the surface, straight teeth are a cosmetic concern, misalignment of teeth can force the joints of your jaw to work inefficiently. Even mild misalignment can cause temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a painful inflammation of the soft tissue of the jaw joint. Your teeth will look great, and your face will be pain-free after Invisalign treatment. 

Boosting your confidence

Your smile is your calling card to the world. When you aren’t confident in the appearance of your smile, you may avoid work and social situations that require a strong sense of self-esteem. Addressing the cosmetic conditions of your smile can have a profound effect, boosting mood, reducing stress, and improving confidence. From whitening to restoring, cosmetic dentistry treatments can target the aspects of your smile that give you the biggest reward.

Though a smile makeover may seem like a personal vanity project, you’ll often emerge from the treatments with a healthier, happier smile. It all starts with a personal consultation at Lancaster Dental Care Associates. Contact the office by phone or online to schedule your appointment today.