Pros and Cons of Consulting a Cosmetic Dentist

Acosmetic dentist helps patients get their smile closer to their desired look. This includes fixing a chipped smile with dental bonding or an uneven smile with dental veneers — and everything in between. If you have cosmetic concerns about your smile, consider the pros and cons of consulting a cosmetic dentist to see if it could be the right move for you.

Pros of consulting a cosmetic dentist

There are a few key benefits of consulting a cosmetic dentist. Explore them below.

Learn how to change the appearance of the smile

The primary mission of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance the look of a patient’s smile. Thus, a major pro of consulting a cosmetic dentist is getting the opportunity to learn about the many services they offer, as well as exactly how these services can enhance the natural beauty of one’s smile. A few examples of cosmetic imperfections handled by cosmetic dentists include:

• Chipped teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Uneven teeth, such as in size or shape
• Uneven gums or excess gum tissue (gummy smile)
• Tooth discoloration or staining

Note that a cosmetic dentist typically has several options for each imperfection. For example, dental bonding, a composite resin applied to the tooth’s surface, can fill cracks, cover stains, or build up teeth that are too small. Dental crowns and veneers can help with similar issues.

Tap into self-confidence

Improving smile appearance can also boost confidence. In a consultation, a cosmetic dentist will customize the treatment to address the problem area, such as a particularly stained or pointed tooth. Alternatively, they can create a smile makeover plan that comprises several treatments to address multiple pain points. To reap this benefit fully, be honest when speaking with the dentist about wants, needs, and expectations.

Get motivated to improve oral health and function

Working with a cosmetic dentist can lead to better oral health and function in the long run. The patient will likely feel more motivated to care for their enhanced smile by staying consistent with brushing, flossing, and dental checkups with a general dentist. Of course, better oral hygiene reduces gum disease and tooth decay risk. This also allows the results of cosmetic dental treatment to last longer.

Cons to keep in mind

The main con is that cosmetic dentistry is not restorative dentistry — restoring the health and function of the smile is not the main purpose. Thus, patients with oral health conditions should consult a general dentist for treatment instead. In fact, patients will not qualify for many cosmetic dental services if they have untreated oral health problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, dental abscesses, or loose permanent teeth. A general dentist can treat these problems to restore oral health and help patients qualify for cosmetic treatments.

Another con is that some services, such as teeth whitening, can cause tooth sensitivity. Other services irreversibly alter the natural tooth structure. For instance, dental veneers require the enamel to be ground down, and enamel cannot regenerate. Similarly, tooth contouring, a process in which the tooth enamel is reshaped with a laser or sandpaper-like filing strip, cannot be reversed.