Cosmetic Dentistry Services was once reserved for only the rich and famous. The term itself simply means improving the appearance of an individual’s teeth and their smile, but it does a lot more than that. Cosmetic dentistry can improve overall dental hygiene, enhance chewing abilities, and increase better nutrition. Teeth can look better but also function better with cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry has a long history, dating back to 700 BC. Ancient Egyptians and Etruscans started using materials to glue to the front of teeth to improve smiles back then and the practice now is so advanced that the cosmetic dentist uses a variety of composites and procedures to make someone’s smile as natural and beautiful as possible. Back in ancient times, oral hygiene was already becoming part and parcel of cultures and Egyptians started using sticks to clean their teeth daily. Etruscans started using gold to fill in teeth that were decaying or that had breakage and gaps. All these procedures are part and parcel of what started the trend in cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain crowns started seeing an emergence as early as the 1900s but were very fragile and broke easily. The Romans are credited with first using a form of toothpaste made of animal hooves and other powders, to scrub and cleanse the teeth from plaque build-up. Porcupine quills and bird feathers were used as the early Roman toothbrushes of choice. In 1938 the first plastic bristled toothbrush was officially patented.
This hygienic aspect of cosmetic dentistry cannot be overlooked as although cosmetic dentistry is always thought of as purely “cosmetic” it does imbue better health, better oral hygiene, and of course, higher self-esteem in individuals. A great smile can improve self-esteem in individuals as bad teeth can damage one’s ability to socialize and prohibit a person from engaging in activities they once enjoyed.
Before the newest techniques in cosmetic dentistry actors across the globe used to have substandard veneers glued onto their front teeth before going before the cameras. These would be applied each day and removed each night and did not have the same natural look and feel of cosmetic dentistry today. Some actors today still use this technique but it’s much more advanced and the veneers can stay on the teeth for longer periods of time.
Cosmetic dentistry now is much more common than previously due to the fact, that more cosmetic dentists are in practice there, and the fact that more individuals want to look and feel their very best. Veneers are simply the practice of attaching porcelain or other composite materials to teeth to recreate the look and feel of more youthful teeth or to make teeth that are less than perfect look almost perfect. A patient can practically craft the type of smile they are seeking, and the possibilities are seemingly boundless. The feel of the new materials is comfortable and therefore the practice of cosmetic dentistry is booming with new cosmetic dentists seemingly popping up yearly. The newer materials can be porcelain or composites and are so comfortable patients do not even realize their teeth are actually veneers.
Although veneers and cosmetic dentistry is not inexpensive many cosmetic dentists are now partnering with financing companies. Insurance does not cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry, so adding payment methods to a cosmetic dentistry practice can make the procedures more affordable for many people. The overall effect of any cosmetic dentistry procedure, however, like anywhere else, does depend upon the skill of the cosmetic dentist. Research and speaking to other clients should be necessary and pictures of previous work done by a cosmetic dentist should be requested.
A good cosmetic dentist will gladly provide consultations and images of their work as well as final costs and have a treatment plan in place for any type of cosmetic dentistry. While this is not considered major surgery, cosmetic dentistry should yield results that a patient is happy with and have that patient literally smiling from ear to ear when the procedures are over. After all, when seeking a great smile, a patient should be smiling when the procedure is over and done with! Most good cosmetic dentists want happy patients and do want to produce great smiles for them.