Cosmetic dentistry is mainly used to improve the aesthetics of the teeth. It involves numerous procedures that greatly influence the smile of a person. Some of them include adding a dental appliance to the teeth, while some involve changing the appearance, such as the alignment, color, etc.
Cosmetic dentistry can be classified into four categories based on the type of procedure involved. They are as follows.
Addition of dental appliances: Such procedures involve bonding a dental restoration to the teeth. Some of the common procedures of this type are dental crowns, dental bridges, veneers, fillings, implants, etc.
Removal of material: Material from either the teeth or the gums will be removed in this type of treatment. Typical examples are gum surgery (removal of infected tissues and replacing them with healthy ones), grinding/buffing (removal of a thin layer of the enamel), etc.
Neither removing nor adding materials: Such procedures involve improving the appearance with the help of surface applicants, which are later removed. The best and most common example is teeth whitening, where a whitening gel is applied and then removed after the procedure is completed.
Changing the alignment of teeth: Malocclusion issues can be corrected with the help of orthodontic corrective devices such as braces and Invisalign.
