Many people want to feel more confident when they smile, laugh, or talk. If you have stained, crooked, chipped, or missing teeth, it can make you feel self-conscious. That’s why so many people turn to cosmetic dentistry services—to improve the appearance of their teeth and boost their self-esteem. A beautiful smile can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and how others see you.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dental care that helps improve the appearance of your teeth and your smile. While regular dental visits help keep your teeth healthy, cosmetic dentistry focuses on how your teeth look. A cosmetic dentist can whiten your teeth, straighten them, reshape them, fix chips, and even replace missing teeth.
Not every cosmetic procedure works for everyone. Your dentist can help you figure out which cosmetic dentistry option is best for your smile.
Below are some of the most common types of cosmetic dentistry and how they work.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Also called “teeth bleaching,” this is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry services. It brightens your teeth by removing stains caused by food, drinks, or aging.
How It Works:
- At the dentist’s office: A whitening gel is applied to your teeth. Sometimes a light is used to speed things up. The whole process usually takes 30–60 minutes.
- At home: Whitening strips or trays with gel are worn for a set amount of time over several days or weeks. Always check with your dentist first before trying these.
- Toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste helps remove surface stains using gentle scrubbing ingredients. Some also contain a small amount of peroxide.
Cosmetic Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin covers made of porcelain or resin that go over the front of your teeth. This type of cosmetic dentistry services are used to fix chipped, stained, or slightly crooked teeth—or even small gaps between teeth.
There are two main types of veneers. One is porcelain veneers which cna be completed in two visits. Some enamel is removed before the veneer is custom-made and bonded to your tooth. Resin-based veneers are done in one visit with less enamel removal. A tooth-colored material is applied, hardened and then polished.
Veneers can last up to 20 years with good care.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Dental implants are metal posts that replace missing teeth. They are usually made of titanium and are placed into the jawbone. A fake tooth (like a crown or bridge) is then attached on top.
There are two main types if dental implants the first is endosteal implants which are placed in the jawbone. Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the jawbone, often used when multiple teeth are missing.
These kinds of cosmetic dentistry services require surgery and may take several months to fully complete.
Cosmetic Dental Crowns
Crowns, or “caps,” cover an entire tooth. They are often used in cosmetic dentistry services to improve teeth that are broken, decayed, misshapen, or severely stained.
Crown Materials:
- Ceramic or composite: Look like natural teeth and are good for people with metal allergies.
- Porcelain: Very natural-looking but can chip more easily.
- Metal: Super strong, often used on back teeth, but very noticeable.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: A mix of strength and appearance, but may show a dark line over time.
Crowns are usually placed over two visits—one to prepare the tooth and another to attach the crown.
Cosmetic Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring is a quick and painless procedure where a dentist gently files down parts of a tooth to fix small chips or reshape it. This type of cosmetic dentistry gives instant results and is great for minor fixes.
Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Bonding uses a tooth-colored material (called composite resin) to fix cracks, chips, or stains. It’s quick, doesn’t usually require numbing, and can be done in one visit. The resin is shaped, hardened with light, and polished to match your other teeth.
Cosmetic Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is another part of usual cosmetic dentistry services. Braces or clear aligners like Invisalign can straighten teeth, fix crowding, and close gaps.
Orthodontists treat both kids and adults. After treatment, you may need to wear a retainer for a while to keep your teeth in place.
Summary
Cosmetic dentistry helps people feel more confident about their smiles. From teeth whitening and veneers to implants, crowns, and braces, there are many ways to improve the look of your teeth. Whether you’re fixing a small chip or replacing a missing tooth, cosmetic dentistry has options for almost everyone.
If you’re thinking about improving your smile, talk to your dentist to find the right cosmetic dentistry solution for you.
Layton City, are you ready for cosmetic dentistry services?
Layton is located in the heart of Davis County, Utah. It holds a population of over 83,000, as of 2023. Without traffic, it’s less than a 30-minute drive from Layton to Salt Lake City, Utah’s capitol. Layton sees all four seasons as the weather can range from below-freezing in the winter to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
A temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was recently constructed and dedicated on Oak Hills Drive. The beautiful building can be seen from miles away. Just off of Interstate 15 is the Layton Hills Mall. This shopping mall is home to dozens of stores including Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penny, BoxLunch, and Bath and Body Works. Adams Canyon can be easily accessed in Layton at the Adams Canyon Trailhead. This 3.5-mile hike takes you to the 40-foot Adams Waterfall.
On Layton Parkway, you can find the Intermountain Health Layton Hospital. Nearby you can find WinCo Foods. Farther north you can also find the Davis Conference Center and the Weber State University Davis Campus.
Contact us today to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services.