Aesthetic dentistry is the combination of improving the appearance of your smile as well as its health. It encompasses a wide scope of procedures that offer multiple physiological benefits while still giving you a beautiful smile. Some of its impact can include motivating you to take better care of your teeth, or making maintenance easier, while some offer significant improvements to the overall quality of your oral health. Join us as we explore some common aesthetic treatments and their health benefits.
In general, cosmetic dentistry procedures improve your oral health in two ways, either because the procedure provides better conditions to maintain your oral health or to help motivate you to take better care of your teeth and gums.
For example, veneers are easier to clean than regular teeth as they are made to be stain-resistant and do not hold onto plaque the same way, helping you maintain your oral health.
The expense and pain of the procedure can help motivate you to maintain a stricter teeth cleaning regimen to avoid the necessity of needing to get veneers sooner than you otherwise would need to.
There is also the fact that you may prefer the way your smile looks now, and will be more invested in maintaining it because it makes you happy. Therefore aesthetic procedures like whitening, crowns/caps, implants, and orthodontics can not only change your smile but also change the way you approach its care.
It’s also worth noting that cosmetic dentistry has better long-term effects if the patient can maintain appropriate care of their teeth. Let’s explore the specific medical benefits that these aesthetic procedures can have on your oral health
Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains by oxidizing them through specialized dental-grade bleaching agents. These bleaches often contain carbamide peroxide which kills gum disease-causing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, which causes tooth decay. Through its corrosive materials, aesthetic dentistry techniques like teeth whitening can also remove stubborn plaque.
While this alone is not enough to keep your mouth healthy, it does provide an additional layer of defense by removing pervasive plaque and bacteria. It’s also worth noting that while it is possible to perform teeth whitening with home kits, there is a greater chance of damaging your enamel when done without professional consultation. It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional dentist about a teeth whitening procedure, that way you can ensure you are making the best choice for your teeth.
Dental crowns or caps are a type of aesthetic dentistry that uses dental cement with ceramic, metal, or porcelain to cover – or cap – your tooth. This is done to damaged and worn teeth to not only improve the way your smile looks but also help your overall oral health. By covering a worn tooth crowns offer protection from further damage and decay.
If you have a damaged tooth you may compensate the way you chew, either from the pain the tooth is causing, or because the tooth’s shape means you cannot chew effectively. Either way, this compensation can cause damage to your other teeth over time as you rely on them more than you would otherwise. By remeding the pain and making your teeth structure more even, a crown can help you chew normally again, preserving your teeth and helping you maintain your overall oral health.
Also, it’s worth noting that after a cap procedure you would only need a replacement in five to 15 years with the appropriate oral care.
Implants involve using a titanium screw that is placed into your gums or jaw bone, depending on the need, and then inserting a ceramic cap that mimics the shape and size of a tooth. This is used to replace missing teeth. And while it is a great way to ensure a beautiful smile, it is also important for your oral health.
Missing teeth can affect the way you chew, which causes wear on your other teeth over time. They also create gaps where food can get lodged, making it harder to clean and causing bacteria to grow and spread. An even greater concern is that missing teeth can cause the bones in your jaw to break down. Without the consistent pressure of chewing, your body will begin to reabsorb your jawbone in that area as it believes it is no longer needed. Implants allow you to maintain that pressure while preventing wear on your other teeth and keeping them uniformand easier to clean.
Another benefit of receiving dental implant services is that provided you maintain them appropriately, they can last for the rest of your life, removing the need for any further procedures.
Orthodontics like Invisalign are common aesthetic dentistry procedures that involve using aligners or wires to correct teeth positioning. This not only provides you with straight teeth to improve your smile but can also have some clear health benefits, particularly regarding maintaining your teeth.
If you have gaps or crooked teeth, there is a significant chance that food can get trapped in places. These can be difficult to clean with conventional methods and can lead to disease-causing bacteria and plaque build-up.
This can cause gum disease and could even lead to cavities or worse damage to your teeth. However, by straightening your teeth and removing gaps, you can make it easier to keep your teeth clean and promote both tooth and gum health. Invisalign treatment is popular because it is discreet and can often work faster than conventional orthodontics like braces for milder cases.
While having a beautiful smile is important, your health is more important. Aesthetic dentistry is about making sure you have the smile you want, while also maintaining your overall health. Procedures like whitening, crowns, implants, and orthodontics allow you to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
If you are looking to learn more about aesthetic treatments or if you want to make an appointment with our qualified team call us at 954-463-5051 today.
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