Many people have questions about cosmetic dentistry. These often include, “what is cosmetic dentistry” or “what does a cosmetic dentist do”. Most are curious about cosmetic dental procedures and if they are safe and effective. We are here to tell you that cosmetic dentistry is absolutely safe and can offer you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. While it might seem too good to be true, technology and dental practices have advanced dramatically over the years. Plus, cosmetic dentistry covers a broad range of procedures that include teeth whitening, replacing missing teeth, repairing chipped teeth, straightening crooked teeth, and more. Therefore, it is very possible to get the smile you’ve always wanted with the help of a cosmetic dentist.

WHAT IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry defines cosmetic dentistry as a type of dentistry aimed at creating positive changes to your teeth and your smile. While many people think of this practice as just providing teeth whitening or veneers, cosmetic dentists offer much more. A skilled cosmetic dentist can help to improve the overall appearance of your smile and therefore your self-confidence as well. While cosmetic dental work is thought to only address aesthetic concerns, the procedures often work to increase the functionality of your teeth too.

It should be noted that many studies have been done on cosmetic dentistry, its safety, and effectiveness. As far back as 1999, The Journal of the American Dental Association published a study on its use in restoring the youthful appearance of smiles. In the journal article, it states, “tooth wear over time alters the appearance of the teeth and smile in a way that is perceptible to dentists and laypeople. Bonding and adhesive ceramic restorative procedures have the potential of reversing the aesthetic manifestations of the aging process for teeth”. It also adds, “the ability to make patients look younger through cosmetic enhancement of teeth and smiles has tremendous implications for the future practice of dentistry”.

We are pleased to report that the future is here now. As we mentioned before, cosmetic dental procedures go beyond just the look of your smile. Missing or broken teeth, for example, can affect the way your teeth function and how you eat. Cosmetic dentistry can help restore those missing teeth to improve your bite and ability to chew.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY PROCEDURES

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses many different procedures. The overall goal is to improve how your smile looks, how you feel about your smile, and increase functionality (such as if teeth are missing). Our dentist in Rock Hill, SC, Dr. Charlie Culp is highly trained and experienced in fixing damaged or decaying teeth, straightening crooked teeth, reshaping teeth, brightening your smile, and more.

REPLACING MISSING TEETH

If you’re missing any teeth, it can not only affect your confidence but also affect how you eat and what you can eat. Dental implants are one of the most popular and effective procedures available for this issue. Dental implants look and act just like natural teeth. If you’re missing multiple teeth, we can even create an implant bridge which is more comfortable and secure than a removable partial denture. Though we do offer full and partial dentures as well if you prefer.

Depending on the damage to the tooth, a dental crown may be an option. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped, full coverage restoration placed over a tooth to restore its size, shape, and strength. These are often what are used to cover dental implants. They are also used to strengthen or restore broken, chipped, or cracked teeth.

When deciding how to replace missing teeth, we recommend giving our office a call at 803-324-2921 or sending us a message at any time. Dr. Charlie, our kind and caring dentist in Rock Hill, SC, can help you find the choice that’s right for you.

TEETH WHITENING

As we age, our teeth will naturally start to look duller. This is due to years of staining and the natural aging of the teeth. A brighter, whiter smile makes us look and feel more youthful. It can increase our confidence and self-esteem as well. The American Dental Association, after many years of research, has stated that teeth whitening is safe. However, it should be completed or supervised by a dentist. Culp Dental offers a wide variety of teeth whitening options including in-office procedures and at-home kits.

VENEERS

Over the past decade, Veneers have become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. As celebrities started getting them to perfect their smile, everyone else quickly got in on the secret as well. Veneers are popular for a very good reason though – they are a highly effective way to get the smile you’ve always wanted.

So, what exactly are they? Veneers are a thin covering made from a ceramic material or composite resin and are placed on the front surface of the teeth. The results are evenly colored, perfectly shaped teeth that give you a stunning smile. The effectiveness and safety of veneers have been evaluated over many years. A study in the Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry concluded that “the properties of ceramics indicate that they are materials capable of mimicking human enamel… [and] offers clinicians many options for creating highly aesthetic and functional porcelain veneers.”

COSMETIC DENTISTRY AT CULP DENTAL

If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Rock Hill, SC, Dr. Charlie Culp and the team at Culp Dental are the way to go! We happily accept out of town visitors as well. You can give us a call at 803-324-2921 or send us a message at any time to get started and set up a consultation appointment. We offer a variety of cosmetic dental services as well as general dentistry, preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, and more.

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other dentistry-related topics, feel free to contact Culp Dental by clicking here or by calling 803-324-2921.