A dentist's job is to help patients maintain oral health by ensuring the form and function of their teeth, gums, and jawbones. There's an aesthetic element to this, though that's more of a positive side effect. Good oral health tends to coincide with a nice smile.
There is, of course, an entire branch of dentistry more focused on these cosmetic aspects, referred to, appropriately, as "cosmetic dentistry." However, despite its name, cosmetic dentistry plays an important role in oral health.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is comprised of procedures intended to improve the health and appearance of a person's teeth, gums, and bite, including:
- Dental Bonding – a non-invasive procedure in which resin is used to repair chips and cracks in a tooth
- Dental Veneers – thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of discoloured or misshapen teeth
- Gum Contouring – the removal of excess tissue to reshape gums, creating a more even gum line and making it easier to clean teeth
- Dental Implants – artificial roots surgically placed in the jawbone to support a replacement tooth
- Orthodontics – treatments focused on correcting dental alignment, typically through braces or aligners.
How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Oral Health?
Cosmetic dental procedures can offer benefits to a person's teeth, gums, jawbone, and more, including:
- Prevention of tooth decay and gum disease – Misaligned teeth can be difficult to clean between, allowing bacterial buildup that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
- Improved biting and chewing – A misaligned bite can impact both oral and overall health, through disproportionate dental wear resulting from favouring one side of the mouth, to digestive issues stemming from not properly chewing food.
- Relief from misalignment-related pain – Misaligned teeth can lead to painful issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, headaches, and jaw pain stemming from teeth grinding.
- Prevention of misalignment – Teeth can shift into the space left by a missing tooth, allowing the remaining teeth to shift out of alignment.
Cosmetic Dentist in Garran, ACT
If you are in the Garran and Canberra area and would like more information about cosmetic dentistry, dentist Dr Eric Kropinak and the team at Telopea Park Dental are available for a consultation. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.