Aesthetic Dentistry in Spring, TX

What Is Aesthetic Dentistry?

Aesthetic dentistry is often conflated with cosmetic dentistry but there is a slight difference. While cosmetic dentists prioritize improving the appearance of the teeth as their sole goal, an aesthetic dentist is interested in both the aesthetics and the functionality of your teeth.

We take a more comprehensive and holistic approach to treatments that can improve aesthetic imperfections but simultaneously restore damage or replace missing teeth. You can think of aesthetic dentistry as a combination of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We also want to do this in the least invasive manner possible.

Not only do we want to improve your smile, but we want to help you make it look natural and beautiful instead of artificial. We can alter the shape, size, shade, and alignment of your teeth all while treating damaged teeth to improve their strength and health. We are located closely to both Spring and Kohrville, TX.

Benefits

By improving the appearance of your smile, you create a more youthful overall appearance which will melt away insecurities and make you feel more confident in your own skin. Studies show that patients who have invested in improving the appearance of their teeth tend to practice better oral hygiene and get frequent cleanings.

In the process of treating conditions like TMJ, a misaligned bite, or crooked teeth, we can relieve a lot of discomfort and pain. Misaligned teeth make it more difficult to clean all of the teeth surfaces, which increases your risk for tooth decay.

By undergoing orthodontic treatment, we improve not just the appearance of your teeth but also your oral health. Likewise, by correcting TMJ and fixing a misaligned bite, we can relieve headaches, jaw tension, and lockjaw.

Common Aesthetic Dentistry Techniques

We can reshape your teeth by performing tooth contouring and combining this with dental bonding. These procedures are often used in tandem to produce the most aesthetic and natural-looking results.

We can file down teeth that are too long or sharp or file down teeth so we can completely change their shape and length. Then, the composite resin is applied to build the tooth back up into the shape we want. This is a great way to cover up chips and cracks or discoloration.

Veneers can be bonded to the front 6 teeth to create the appearance of a symmetrical, straight and pearly white smile. For all of our tooth-colored restorations, we use a shade guide to match the shade of the restoration to your natural teeth. If your teeth are a little too dark for your liking, we recommend whitening them before getting the restoration. Dental work like crowns and veneers does not respond to whitening treatments.

What to Expect

We’ll ask you to come in for a consultation with aesthetic dentists so we can assess your oral health and determine if you’re a suitable candidate. You mustn’t have any tooth decay or gum disease before proceeding with aesthetic treatments.

Next, we’ll form a treatment plan after discussing your goals and concerns with you and create a tailor-made plan that adheres to your budget. Depending on the treatment, we may need to take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab so we can fabricate certain restorations or aligners.

Then, we’ll have you come back for a separate appointment where we will perform any necessary treatments under local anesthetic and additional sedation if desired. We will discuss your aftercare and may need to schedule follow-up appointments.

What are the most common aesthetic dentistry procedures?

Aesthetic dentistry, often interchangeably used with cosmetic dentistry, focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. It's not just about vanity; it's about enhancing your self-confidence and overall quality of life. Here are some of the most common aesthetic dentistry procedures:

‍Teeth Whitening: This is perhaps the most popular procedure in aesthetic dentistry. Over time, teeth can become discolored or stained due to various factors like food, drink, medication, or smoking. Aesthetic dentists use professional-grade bleaching agents to brighten your smile.

‍Dental Veneers: These are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth. Veneers are used to fix issues like discolored, chipped, broken, or smaller-than-average teeth.

‍Dental Bonding: In this procedure, a tooth-colored, putty-like resin is applied to the tooth and hardened with a special light. Bonding can repair decayed, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth.

‍Dental Crowns: Crowns, also known as caps, fit over and replace the entire decayed or damaged tooth above the gum line. They restore shape, size, strength, and appearance of teeth.

‍Invisalign: This is a modern alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, comfortable to wear, and easily removable for eating, brushing, and flossing.

What is the difference between aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry?

While the terms "aesthetic dentistry" and "cosmetic dentistry" are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two. Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses solely on enhancing the appearance of the teeth, improving attributes such as color, position, shape, size, and overall smile appearance.

On the other hand, aesthetic dentistry, while also concerned with improving the visual appeal of a patient's smile, places an equal emphasis on functionality and oral health. It seeks to maintain or improve the function of the teeth while also enhancing their aesthetic appeal. Aesthetic dentistry is a broader concept that includes not only the techniques of cosmetic dentistry but also incorporates elements of restorative and preventive dentistry.

For instance, while a cosmetic dentist might use veneers to alter the shape and color of a patient's teeth, an aesthetic dentist would also consider how those veneers will affect the patient's bite and oral health in the long term.

What are the benefits of aesthetic dentistry?

Aesthetic dentistry can have a significant impact on various aspects of your life. Here are some of the benefits:

‍Improved Appearance: The most obvious benefit of aesthetic dentistry is the enhancement of your smile. Whether it's whiter teeth, straighter alignment, or repaired chips and cracks, aesthetic dentistry can dramatically improve your appearance.

‍Boosted Self-Confidence: With an improved smile comes increased self-confidence. This can positively impact your social, professional, and personal life.

‍Enhanced Oral Health: While aesthetic dentistry aims to improve the appearance of your teeth, many procedures also contribute to better oral health. For example, fixing a misaligned bite can prevent future dental issues.

‍Long-Lasting Results: Many aesthetic dentistry procedures offer long-lasting or even permanent solutions, reducing the need for ongoing treatment.Remember, every patient is unique, and what works best for one person might not be the ideal solution for another. It's important to have a thorough consultation with your aesthetic dentist to understand your options and choose the best treatment for your specific needs.