Cosmetic teeth is a general term that encompasses all the cosmetic procedures carried out on teeth.
Cosmetic teeth have gained popularity in recent years due to the general increase in seeking physical perfection.
Just like cosmetic surgery, more and more ordinary people are looking to cosmetic dentistry to improve their smiles.
There Are Several Different Types of Cosmetic Teeth
They range from veneers, to dentures, to crowns and to dental implants.
Dentures however are not strictly cosmetic teeth.
To a great extent, they do improve a person appearance but they do more than that.
Teeth are essential in maintaining a youthful look and are necessary for chewing food and proper speech.
People with missing teeth are said to look older than they should.
This is not only because most people associate tooth loss to the elderly but also because missing teeth cause realignment of the lips and face.
They also cause drifting of the remaining teeth which creates gaps and may change the natural bite of an individual.
Cosmetic Teeth – Veneers vs Crowns
Veneers are possibly the most common form of cosmetic teeth.
These are of two main types; porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers.
There is a special type of porcelain veneers called Lumineers that are gaining popularity.
Crowns are also like dentures in that they are both cosmetic and functional.
Crowns are mostly used as restoration for teeth for instance which have been greatly destroyed by decay.
They are necessary for good oral health and increase the strength of teeth. They are also good for improving the appearance of teeth.
Many times when a patient is not a suitable candidate for a veneer maybe because there is too much tooth decay or the tooth is too weak or fractured to have a veneer bonded to it, a dentist may opt for a crown.
Crowns are also the best option for a patient who grinds their teeth. Teeth grinding will cause the destruction of veneers.
Veneers are preferred to crowns for several reasons. Veneers are minimally invasive and only a little tooth material is removed during the process.
This is good because you can opt to have different restorative work in the future. For example, you can opt to have a crown after getting veneers.
Crowns on the other hand are quite involving. For instance, a root canal may be necessary before getting a crown.
Crowning is an irreversible procedure.
Even though veneers and crowns are different types of cosmetic teeth, their results are pretty similar in terms of aesthetics.
