So, you’re in a gathering with friends, and one of them holds their cellphone in the air to snap a group photo. Everyone automatically beams with delight, showing their dazzling smiles. While you, on the other hand, do everything you can to hide yours. If this is the case, maybe you need to see a cosmetic dentist in Greenville, SC.

A new study conducted by an international healthcare group indicates that 28 percent of people don’t show their teeth on social media because they think their teeth don’t look good. At the same time, an astonishing 81 percent of those who do, believe that their smiles are unattractive in photos. While this doesn’t worry others, we say this is a cause for concern.

The act of smiling is directly linked to a few health and social benefits. When you smile more, people see you as approachable, making them want to spend more time with you. Additionally, smiling can boost your confidence and make you feel great about yourself. Therefore, let’s delve into the most frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry to learn how it can significantly improve our oral health and overall well-being.

woman eats apple to avoid dental issues and cosmetic dentist in Greenville SC

All You Need to Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry, and How Is It Different From General Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with straightening, lightening, reshaping, repairing, and replacing the patient’s teeth. It is designed to enhance the appearance of your teeth by combining science and art to achieve a beaming smile. However, cosmetic dentistry is more than just for aesthetics as the procedures also address oral problems that hinder the normal function of teeth.

On the other hand, general dentistry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing your overall oral health. Your general dentist does this by performing thorough dental examinations and checkups, cleaning your teeth professionally to avoid cavities, and educating you on the best oral health practices you must follow.

What Are Common Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?

Because our teeth are different than other people’s, there are various cosmetic dentistry treatments we can choose from, depending on our specific dental issue.

Teeth Whitening: This procedure is the most popular cosmetic treatment, attributed to its ability to make your teeth look camera-ready. Through this treatment, you can enjoy a set of teeth that can brighten up even a gloomy day.

Contouring: Some patients don’t like the shape of their teeth, especially if they’re not uniform. With contouring, your dentist can reshape your teeth to improve their surface, shape, or length.

Bonding: Aimed at improving a patient’s smile, dental bonding utilizes a tooth-colored resin material applied to the tooth and bonded through a special light.

Bridges: When you have missing teeth adjacent to each other, you can opt for dental bridges. This tooth-replacement method can replace numerous teeth to give you a complete smile.

Veneers: Considerably one of the most famous cosmetic dental procedures today, dental veneers treatment involves the removal of a thin layer of enamel from the front of the teeth. The space allows the veneers to be placed without making the teeth look oversized. Through this method, you can have evenly white and properly spaced-out teeth.

Dental Implants: Dental implants have taken the world of dentistry by storm since they were first developed. This famous system is used to replace missing teeth, promising a lifelong solution to such a problem.

Smile Makeover: Sometimes, a dental situation can be more severe that a single procedure cannot fix it. Thus, a smile makeover becomes handy. Smile makeovers consist of a combination of cosmetic treatments to achieve an aesthetic-looking smile.

cosmetic dentist in Greenville SC checks dentist dental status

How Long Will Each Treatment Take?

Each treatment time may vary, just like how unique your teeth are. However, your dentist can finish most of these treatments in one visit so that you can flash a gleaming smile right away.

What Are Common Dental Issues That Cosmetic Dentistry Can Fix?

Cosmetic dentistry can fix a wide array of dental issues, including:

  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Discolored or yellowish teeth
  • Teeth that have gaps in between
  • Misaligned or crooked teeth
  • Uneven teeth
  • Missing or incomplete teeth
  • Oddly shaped or malformed teeth
  • Worn teeth

When Can I Say I Need Cosmetic Treatments?

Cosmetic dentists don’t really require their patients to undergo aesthetic treatments unless the dental issue impedes the daily function of your teeth. Thus, it depends on the patient to decide on this most of the time. However, there are a few questions you may ask yourself to guide you on whether you need a cosmetic treatment or not.

  • Am I bothered by my crooked teeth?
  • Do I want my teeth to look whiter?
  • Do the gaps between my teeth concern me?
  • Am I not proud to show my uneven teeth?
  • Do I have a gummy smile?
  • Do I tend to hide my smile in public?

If you say yes to any of the questions above, then you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry. You can check with your dentist to see if you can be a good candidate for the treatment you wish to get.

cosmetic dentist in Greenville SC prepares dental tools

Need a Cosmetic Dentist in Greenville, SC?

Nobody should ever downplay the importance of cosmetic dentistry. It can exponentially change a patient’s life and motivate them to achieve their goals. Call us at Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry if you need a cosmetic dentist to help you with your dental woes.