Dental Aesthetics
Coronado, CA
Dental aesthetics, also known as cosmetic dentistry, is both a science and an art. This makes it even more critical for you to pick a dentist you know you can trust. A proficient complete health dentist can correct any irregularities in appearance while also keeping your overall wellness in mind.
Complete health dentistry is available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. We are proud to offer quality dental aesthetic services from a more integrative point of view. Call us today at (619) 354-5136 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Why Dental Aesthetics
Dental aesthetics is more popular than ever. This field encompasses both the cosmetic appearance and functionality of the mouth, including the teeth and gums. Popular dental aesthetics procedures involve bonding, braces, bridges, crowns, enamel shaping and contouring, implants, teeth whitening, veneers, and other cosmetic periodontal procedures.
Though any smile makeover will focus primarily on improving aesthetics, many procedures may also improve the overall functionality and health of the mouth – especially when the procedures are restorative in nature. Furthermore, cosmetic dental procedures can positively affect patients’ self-esteem. This may increase their overall quality of life.
“Though any smile makeover will focus primarily on improving the aesthetics of the mouth, many procedures may also improve the overall functionality and health of the mouth.”
Why Complete Health Dentistry
Traditional dentistry focuses primarily on treating conditions instead of patients. In other words, conventional dentists often fail to consider any indicators of overall health – or how systemic conditions may affect oral health. Complete health dentistry, on the other hand, puts the patient first. While a traditional dentist may be able to complete cosmetic procedures, they may fail to consider how these procedures will affect the patient’s overall health (and vice versa).
Research has indicated that periodontal disease is often a reflection of systemic conditions. As the mouth is one of the first points of entrance into the digestive and respiratory tracts, it also acts as a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Poor oral hygiene practices can allow such bacteria to flourish at dangerously high levels, potentially leading to various oral infections. A complete health dentist knows how to recognize the warning signs of poor health in addition to perfecting a patient’s smile.
“A complete health dentist knows how to recognize the warning signs of poor health in addition to perfecting a patient’s smile.”
“While at-home tooth whitening kits may seem like an economical alternative, in-office whitening is the only way to ensure safe, optimal results.”
Dental Aesthetics and Gum-Related Issues
Dental aesthetics can also help with problems like gum recession. Several options are available, including:
- Composite restoration
- Dentin bonding agents
- Desensitizing agents
- Orthodontics
- Pink porcelain or composite
- Removable gum veneers
- Surgery
People looking for a natural-looking, tooth-colored option may want to opt for composite restorations, which cover the surface of the tooth root and may fill any gaps between the teeth. Furthermore, dentin bonding agents, desensitizing agents, and varnishes may reduce the sensitivity of the exposed tooth root. This can assist the patient in brushing sensitive teeth and, thus, promote their overall oral hygiene.
Those in need of more long-term treatment may want to consider orthodontics, or braces, to slowly correct teeth and the margin of the gum. More severe cases of gum recession may necessitate surgery, usually in the form of a gum graft.
“Those in need of more long-term treatment may want to consider orthodontics, or braces, to slowly correct teeth and the margin of the gum.”
Complete Health Dentistry and Orthodontics
Orthodontics refers to the usage of braces and retainers to correct irregularities of the teeth, such as crooked teeth and misaligned bites (also known as malocclusions). In more severe cases, orthodontics may prepare a patient for surgery. There are three distinct classes of malocclusions: Class 1 is when the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth, Class 2 is when the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth, and Class 3 is when the lower teeth significantly overlap the upper teeth.
Symptoms of malocclusion can range from minor to severe. Not only does it affect the patient’s appearance, but it may also result in discomfort when chewing or biting. It may cause the patient to bite the inner cheeks or tongue frequently, develop a lisp, or even breathe through the mouth rather than the nose. A complete health dentist can correct any irregularities for optimal oral and systemic health.
“A complete health dentist can correct any irregularities for optimal oral and systemic health.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Dental Terminology
Contouring
A cosmetic procedure that involves reshaping the outer layer of the teeth, or enamel, to fix minor imperfections such as shape or size.
Dental Aesthetics
Dental treatments that improve or restore the appearance of teeth, gums, and/or bite.
Dental Implants
An artificial tooth root placed in the jaw to serve as an abutment for an artificial tooth replacement, such as a crown or bridge.
Discoloration
An accumulation of stains on the tooth surfaces that causes a change in the color, hue, or transparency of the teeth.
Enamel Shaping
A non-surgical procedure that involves physically shaping the outer enamel of natural teeth to correct uneven or overlapped teeth.
Gum Recession
Exposure to the roots of teeth caused by gum or tissue loss and retraction of the gingiva from the crown of teeth.
Oral Infection
A group of infections that occur in the oral cavity, including cavities, gingivitis, periodontal and gum disease, thrush, Herpangina, and oral herpes.
Restoration
A prosthetic device or appliance used to replace missing or damaged teeth such as a crown, bridge, inlay, or denture.
Smile Makeover
An aesthetic dental procedure that involves two or more cosmetic treatments to improve the overall appearance of the mouth.
Preventive Dentistry
An artificial tooth that takes the place or a missing or damaged tooth.