Extreme close up of woman pointing with finger at healthy teeth.

Why Cosmetic Dentistry is More Than Just Aesthetics

By Dr. Maryam Brazdo

Oct 03 2017

Cosmetic dental procedures are some of the most sought after treatments in every dental practice. The promise of an aesthetic grin far outweighs the benefits of a healthy smile for some people. While we at this Melbourne, Florida dental practice believe that healthy teeth are more important, we understand that the cosmetic appeal of a straight, bright smile. Thankfully cosmetic dentistry is about far more than just improving the aesthetic quality of your smile.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

It’s important to understand cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work done to improve the appearance of the bite, teeth, or gums. Cosmetic dental procedures specifically focus on improving the alignment, position, size, color, and shape of the gums and teeth. Some of the cosmetic procedures available include:

You already know that cosmetic dentistry can improve the look of your smile, which is one of the reasons these procedures are so popular. However, the benefits of cosmetic dentistry go far beyond aesthetics.

A Better Bite

If your teeth are misshapen, crooked, shifted, or they grow out of place, it can affect your ability to properly speak and eat. This is not only embarrassing and frustrating, it can be very uncomfortable and even painful in some cases. Crooked teeth also have the ability to increase your risk for cavities, since they are more difficult to properly clean. Many cosmetic dental procedures focus on improving the alignment, shape, and size of your gums, teeth, and your bite. Some of these procedures include gum lifts, dental bridges, gum grafts, Invisalign, dental implants, bite reclamation, and tooth reshaping.

With a better bite, you’ll find it easier to eat without pain. For some people, a bite problem can also result in severe chronic headaches, since an imbalanced bite force may radiate pain to the nearby nerves and muscles of your head. Fixing the bite problem doesn’t just improve the look of your smile, it can reduce this pain and improve overall function as well.

Improved Oral Health

Many cosmetic dental procedures, including inlays, onlays, bonding, crowns, and veneers are used to help restore broken or cracked teeth. Repairing teeth that are weak due to fractures or cracks can ensure they have additional support. This can prevent any further damage and may make it possible to completely save the natural tooth. Improving the bite, repairing weak teeth, and improving overall function can result in improved oral health, preventing more serious dental problems in the future.

Increased Focus on Dental Hygiene

While cosmetic dentistry does focus on improving the aesthetics of your smile, it’s also about maintaining healthy gums and teeth. After your teeth are reshaped, straighten, and whitened, you’ll enjoy a beautiful smile that you love seeing. For many patients, this naturally motivates them to increase their focus on dental hygiene. Patients often begin changing their drinking and eating habits to avoid foods that stain, darken, or damage their teeth. Many patients also begin to do a better job at keeping up with routine dental hygiene, brushing more regularly and flossing as well.

Better Overall Health

Researchers continue to find evidence that your oral health and overall health are interconnected. If you’re dealing with a misaligned bite, missing teeth, gum disease, or cavities, it can affect more than your oral health –  which may potentially affect the health of your other organs, such as your heart. Improving oral health with cosmetic dentistry  you can alleviate these common problems which can translate into  better overall health, reducing your risk for some medical problems.

A closer look at cosmetic dentistry reveals that it’s about far more than just improving the aesthetics of your smile. It’s an excellent restorative dental option that can be useful for many oral health conditions. You’ll enjoy a more beautiful smile that improves your self confidence, but you’ll also enjoy a better bite, improved oral health, better oral hygiene habits, and improved overall health. If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, schedule an appointment to find out what procedures may help improve your oral health and the appearance of your pearly whites.  

If you are looking to improve the aesthetics of your smile along with your overall oral health, contact Dr. Brazdo at Artistic Touch Dentistry. After a comprehensive examination, she can let you know which cosmetic dental treatment can restore your smile and improve your confidence.