While traditional (or general) dentistry is focused on maintaining the health of a patient's teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry refers to dental treatments designed to improve or enhance the appearance of a person's smile. Often, cosmetic dentistry treatments are employed to mend the appearance of teeth

Dental bonding, completed with a tooth-colored resin composite material painted directly onto the tooth surface, is an excellent way to repair both cosmetic and structural flaws in the teeth. The material used in dental bonding is similar to that used for tooth-colored fillings, and can be custom-crafted

When a tooth is damaged beyond what fillings, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers can repair, a dental crown, also known as a dental cap, is often the best remedy. A dental crown, which often follows the removal of infected tooth pulp through a root canal, is a cap that fits over the entire surface

Over time, gum disease, decay, and accidents can cause a person to lose his or her teeth. When a patient is missing one or more teeth, dentures are often the first option discussed. Unlike dental implants, which are permanently grafted to the patient's jaw, dentures are removable replacement teeth.The

When a patient has more gum than teeth showing or his or her gums appear disproportionately large, he or she is said to have a "gummy" smile. This can make teeth appear smaller than they really are and, along with uneven gums, can detract from the beauty of the smile. When gum tissue grows too far over

Many patients, especially adults, are unhappy with the crooked appearance of their teeth but do not want to wear traditional braces. Not only do traditional, metal braces affect the appearance of a smile, but they also can cut the mouth, require inconvenient maintenance, and hinder regular brushing

The application of porcelain veneers is perhaps the most popular smile makeover treatment performed in cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain that are custom-fitted over the front of patients' teeth to mask or improve the appearance of an array of dental flaws, including

Smile design, often referred to as a smile makeover, involves the combination of any number of cosmetic or restorative dentistry procedures to dramatically improve or enhance the appearance of a person's smile. While performing a smile design or smile makeover, a dentist will first consult with the patient

White, or "tooth-colored" fillings are a dramatic improvement over the mercury-based metal fillings of the past. A skilled cosmetic dentist can use resin composite material to custom-shape fillings that match the color of surrounding teeth so closely that they are nearly invisible, eliminating the tell-tale

Among cosmetic dentistry procedures, tooth whitening is perhaps the most cost effective and rapid way to dramatically change the appearance of one's smile. With tooth whitening performed in a the office of a cosmetic dentist, patients can enjoy dramatically whiter teeth without the investment of time