Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the functionality) of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in colour, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance.

Types of cosmetic aesthetics in dentistry:

• addition of a dental material to teeth or gums – example: bonding, porcelain veneers (laminates), crowns, gum grafts
• the removal of tooth structure or gums – examples: enameloplasty, gingivectomy
• neither adding nor removing dental materials, tooth structure, or gums – examples: teeth whitening (bleaching), laser whitening, gum depigmentation
• straightening of teeth accompanied by improvement in appearance of face – orthodontics
• veneers, dental laminates – conservative
• scaling