Cosmetic or Esthetic Dentistry

This is a sub-field of dentistry that acts cosmetically on dental restoration. Among the many services provided by these professionals there are: whitening, use of direct resins, gum peeling, laminated and esthetic restorations.

Although dental restoration is highly important to the health of people - cavities can cause different kinds of problems and can interfere in the chewing process - it is still considered cosmetic.

This area researches different dental preparations, the relation between restoring materials/dental structure and the rest of the system, restoring techniques etc. This allows dentists to restore directly or indirectly the esthetics as well as the function of the teeth.

It prevents and corrects the position of the teeth and jawbones. Twisted teeth that cannot fit together cannot be cleaned properly. This can lead teeth to early decay and loss due to deterioration as well as periodontal diseases.

They can also strain chewing muscles causing headaches, ATM syndrome and pain around the neck, shoulders and back. Besides, cosmetically speaking, twisted or not properly fitted teeth are not suitable.

Cosmetic Dentistry

This is the most usual area within dentistry since its role is to remove cavities and restore teeth. Restoration is for sure a more suitable word to define this procedure because it's not just a matter of opening and closing cavities. Cavities can destroy the dental structure, causing an occlusal imbalance, and as a result harming the chewing system.

Occlusion refers to the manner in which the teeth from upper and lower arches come together when the mouth is closed. Moreover, all the jaw movements studied by occlusion are guided by dental anatomy. Therefore, whenever a tooth is restored occlusion is taken into consideration.

Teeth have grooves in their anatomy. These grooves allow food to ooze. The absence of these grooves hinders grinding during the chewing process. That's why preserving these grooves when restoring teeth is so important.

Restoration materials are usually amalgam or resin. The amalgam is that silver fillings we commonly see in teeth. We only restore the patients' teeth with resin. Resin is a cosmetic material - the same color as teeth.

Tooth Whitening

Teeth might go discolored for many reasons such as through long use of antibiotics, tobacco, root canals, dental fluorosis, coffee, red wine, coke or even chocolate.

Tooth whitening is a bleaching procedure that will whiten the teeth that might have gone discolored. White teeth are one of the symbols of beauty in our society. Many times people whose teeth have gone discolored start suffering from low self-esteem. They are even ashamed of smiling.

Tooth whitening happens through gel molecules or peroxide products that go into the enamel and roots. This releases oxygen, which breaks the molecules of the substances that cause stains. There is also a more modern technique that makes use of halogen light or laser.

Tooth whitening might be either performed at the dentist's office or at home with lower strength-bleaching gels. However, even if you decide to do it at home, you should consult your dentist so that's done under his supervision.

In-office bleaching does not harm teeth or gums. Dental bleaching does not affect any of the dental structures. However, it should be avoided by pregnant women, patients with severe receding gums, patients with sensitive teeth, patients allergic to whitening agents (peroxide), patients with ulcers or wounds in the gums and the soft tissues of the mouth or previous bad lesions (cancer) or pre-cancer. Teeth can go discolored again, but will never get as stained as they were before. Maintenance might be required every 1 or 2 years.