Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

In the old days of general dentistry, one went to the dentist for a problem solution – maybe a toothache needing a root canal or a lost tooth needing a bridge for replacement. There was not much discussion, nor much choice, so the dentist did what needed to be done and you went home until the next problem arose.

Things are very different now when you visit your cosmetic dentist. First, we go for problem prevention – for a check-up with oral cancer screening, for example. There are multiple options for solving each problem, and with our improved dental hygiene habits, many of our “problems” are purely cosmetic.

Morphing Software

Technology is now a part of talking with our dentist. Rather than simply saying, “I have a toothache; can you fix it?” and having the dental chair flattened and the drill started up, we say things like, “I don’t like the gap between my front teeth; how could that be fixed?”

Then your cosmetic dentist pulls the chairside monitor over and together you look at some morphing software to design a new smile. What would you look like with porcelain veneers? Your dentist uses the software to create an image of that.

Or perhaps the gap is too large for that solution and instead, you discuss Invisalign and how you could realign all your teeth without using any metal brackets or wires. The Invisalign software is then used to plan each stage of your realignment. Your dentist would work on that without you there, but could show you the stages once they are determined. Then later, when you are wearing the trays that belong to each stage of realignment, you will have a mental picture of what the trays are accomplishing for you – which teeth are being moved and in what way.

Digital Photos and X-Rays

When you go for a routine check-up, digital photos may be taken, downloaded, and emailed to you at home. Or they could be copied to a CD for you to take with you. Your dentist can display these photos on the chairside monitor and together you can discuss what procedures might be your best options for smile enhancement.

Digital X-rays might also be taken and immediately displayed on the monitor for further discussion. Your dentist can point out features of the X-rays and explain what they mean, and what could be done about them.

As you can see, this type of communication involves a great deal of patient education. With images in front of you of your own teeth and smile, you can learn how a qualified cosmetic dentist can change things and what the results will look like. And you can give your own input to the decision-making process.

To find such a dentist near where you live, please contact us today.