Having aesthetically pleasing teeth is important. If you feel good about your smile, you’ll be more likely to show it off. This makes a big difference in both your personal and professional life, hence boosting your confidence
Caring for the appearance of your teeth helps improve your oral health. Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. A beautiful set of teeth also aids in alleviating other problems, including TMJ disorder and sleep apnea.
By improving the condition of your teeth, you can enjoy better overall health and well-being, but how can this be achieved? There are two ways to enhance the appearance of your pearly whites while ensuring optimum oral health: cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics.
Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Orthodontics
● Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry
A dental approach that focuses on improving the appearance of teeth is known as cosmetic dentistry. This involves a variety of procedures, including crown and veneers, bridges, teeth whitening and dental implants. And it is often used to correct dental problems such as malformed, and missing and stained teeth.
Many people choose to undergo cosmetic dentistry because they are unhappy with their smiles. While this branch of dentistry primarily aims to improve the overall appearance of a smile, it can also help improve your oral health.
It is important to note that cosmetic dentistry is not just for vanity. For example, replacing a missing tooth with an implant helps eliminate the unwanted gap that may otherwise contribute to gum disease or bone degeneration. Essentially, cosmetic dentistry can be used for both aesthetic and functional purposes.
● What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a component of dental beautification that deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. This field has evolved significantly in recent years and is now available in a variety of treatment options.
Common orthodontic treatments include braces, retainers and headgear. The latest innovation involves Invisalign or Clear Correct, which consists of clear, plastic aligners that are custom-made according to your needs. In some cases, orthodontic surgery is implemented based on the patient’s oral condition.
These dental procedures help correct many dental problems, from simple aesthetic imperfections to more serious oral health issues. If you are considering this treatment, it is important to consult with an experienced South Morang orthodontist to discuss your specific needs and goals.
9 Differences Between Cosmetic Dentistry and Orthodontics
- The focus of cosmetic dentistry is primarily on improving the appearance of your smile, while the focus of orthodontics is on correcting alignment issues.
- Generally, Orthodontics is less invasive than cosmetic dentistry. Doing crowns, veneers, and bridges in cosmetic dentistry will involve the reduction of tooth structures, while in ortho treatment, the tooth structure is more preserved.
- While both are cost-effective solutions to your dental woes, the materials and appliances used for braces and Invisalign are more expensive.
- In most cases, cosmetic dental services may be completed in a single visit, while you may need multiple appointments with your orthodontist.
- Braces are most common for orthodontic patients, while veneers are the most popular cosmetic oral care procedure.
- Orthodontists typically use more specialized equipment and materials as compared to those used for cosmetic dental treatments.
- Orthodontics help treat alignment issues for both children and adults, while cosmetic dentistry is usually recommended for adults only.
- The results provided by orthodontists are usually permanent (provided that retainers are worn after the treatment), while cosmetic dentists ensure that with regular dental visits, and good oral hygiene, you can enjoy optimum results with veneers, implants and dentures.
- Comparatively, orthodontic treatment typically takes longer to complete as it involves several procedures and adjustments.
Can cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics work hand in hand?
Cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics are both concerned with improving the appearance of teeth. However, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on dental techniques that improve the appearance of teeth, such as whitening and bonding.
Orthodontics, on the other hand, uses braces, plates, aligners or procedures to correct alignment issues. While cosmetic dental providers help enhance the results of braces or wisdom tooth removal, it is not necessary to have cosmetic procedures in order to achieve straight teeth.
Essentially, many orthodontists believe that dental enhancements provided through cosmetic dentistry should only be considered after completing the cycle of braces or Invisalign. This is because such dental procedures may interfere with the efficacy of orthodontic devices.
Which is the right treatment for you: cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics?
The answer depends on your specific needs and goals. If you are unhappy with the cosmetic aspects of your smile, cosmetic dentistry may be the best option. However, if you have functional problems with your bite or teeth alignment, orthodontics may be a better choice.
Ultimately, the best way to determine the right type of treatment for you is to consult with a highly experienced and professional dental team in South Morang. They can help assess individual needs and recommend the most effective course of treatment.
Both of these fields involve improving the appearance of teeth, but they do so in different ways. Individuals who are interested in improving the appearance of their teeth may not necessarily need a teeth alignment procedure and vice versa. However, in some cases, patients may benefit from having both types of treatment in order to achieve their desired results.
Book an appointment with SmileVille for the best oral aesthetic approach that suits your needs.
