Cosmetic Dentist Derby

What is cosmetic dentistry?
In addition to general dentists, there are a number of cosmetic dentists in Derby. Whereas traditional dentistry tends to focus on preventing and treating dental problems such as tooth decay, the purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth. Typically, people who seek cosmetic dental treatment are looking to improve their smile, with the aim of enhancing their overall attractiveness so that they feel more confident and comfortable with the way they look.

Some element of cosmetic dentistry may be present in conventional dental treatment. For example, while caps and crowns are often fitted to damaged teeth for functional reasons, they also improve the overall appearance of the teeth. Additionally, dental patients may choose to select a more cosmetically pleasing version of traditional treatment, such as choosing white fillings that blend in more with the natural colour of your teeth, instead of the silver-coloured amalgam treatments that stand out.

What treatments are available?
In addition to white fillings and crowns, other common cosmetic dental procedures include:

Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is probably the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry. It is used to correct staining to teeth typically caused by smoking, drinking coffee, tea and red wine, or because of poor dental hygiene. Many people attempt to whiten their teeth by themselves using teeth-whitening kits  available in high street shops (to varying degrees of success!)

Veneers (overlays)
Veneers are thin layers or composite material or porcelain which are bonded to the tooth to improve appearance. They are often used in cases where dental patients have not experienced success with teeth whitening, or to improve gaps in the teeth.

Gingival (gum) sculpting/shaping
Sometimes referred to as a “gum lift,” gum sculpting involves re-shaping the gums . Gingival (gum) sculpting(and sometimes the underlying bone) to make the teeth appear longer and more attractive, or to straighten a crooked gum line.

Orthodontics
Orthodontics is concerned with straightening the teeth. It can be used for purely functional reasons (to ensure that the dental patient is able to bite properly) or to improve the overall appearance of the teeth.

Implants
Implants are artificially-created, natural-looking teeth that are typically fitted into the bone. Implants can produce a better-looking smile, and may also make the recipient appear younger (missing teeth make the face appear older).

Bridges
Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The teeth to either side of the gap are re-shaped and the bridge is placed over them, filling the gap.

Smile makeover
With a smile makeover, the dentist will assess your overall smile (rather than just one specific tooth or part of your mouth). He or she will then develop a plan to improve the appearance of your teeth as a whole. Typically, this involves a number of the procedures outlined above, such as veneers, implants, bridges, gum sculpting and teeth whitening.

Cosmetic dentists may also offer more extensive cosmetic treatments, such as full mouth reconstruction, and some may also offer non-dental treatments, such as facial rejuvenation through Botox and dermal fillers (soft materials injected into the skin to smooth wrinkles and correct scars and depressions in the skin).