A general dentist performs maintenance and preventative care on your mouth, teeth, and gums. With twice-yearly visits to the dentist and practicing excellent oral hygiene at home, many people maintain healthy teeth and gums for the entirety of their lives.
There may come a time, however, that some type of dental problem will arise, and you will need more involved dental work than just an occasional cleaning or oral exam. That’s where cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry come into play, but there are some differences between the two. Think of cosmetic dentistry as focusing on the aesthetics of your smile whereas restorative dentistry focuses on restoring your mouth, teeth, and gums to their optimal functioning.
The neat thing about these two types of dentistry is that many cosmetic dentistry procedures will restore function, and many restorative procedures will enhance the beauty of your smile. These two types of dentistry work collaboratively to produce the most amazing dental results possible.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Since cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, most of the cosmetic procedures offered at your Burkburnett cosmetic dentistry office will correct some type of flaw in your smile. If your teeth are functioning well, and you are not suffering from gum disease or tooth decay, your cosmetic dentist in Burkburnett will explain which cosmetic dentistry procedures will best solve your dental problem.
Here are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures:
- Invisalign®
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Bonding
- Teeth Whitening
- Dental Crowns
- Inlays/Onlays
- Composite Fillings
- Gum Recontouring
Your Burkburnett, Texas, cosmetic dentist may perform only one of the above procedures, or two or more may be included together in a treatment plan. Any combination of one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures may be referred to as a “Smile Makeover.”
There are numerous problems that cosmetic dentistry addresses:
- Crooked teeth
- Worn teeth
- Chipped/cracked teeth
- Gummy smile
- Discolored/stained teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Missing teeth
If the problem you’re having is not on this list, please don’t hesitate to contact your Burkburnett, Texas, cosmetic dentist to schedule an evaluation to see what can be done to fix your dental issue.
Many cosmetic dentistry procedures are performed in one visit, others may take two or more visits, and some (like Invisalign®) may occur over a period of several weeks or months. A treatment plan will be designed with your specific needs in mind, and no work will be started without your full understanding of what is going to happen.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Whereas cosmetic dentistry is focused on the aesthetics of your smile, restorative dentistry involves dental procedures intended to restore functionality while managing oral diseases like periodontitis and tooth decay.
Simply put, the practice of restorative dentistry involves focusing on building a stable foundation of teeth that have been negatively affected by certain medical conditions, accidents, and/or traumatic injuries.
The goal of your Burkburnett, Texas, restorative dentist is to improve and maintain the proper functioning of the mouth to prevent pain, discomfort, and disease. In so doing, restorative dentistry will also improve the aesthetics of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Functioning teeth and gums are attractive teeth and gums.
Some of the most common restorative dentistry procedures include:
- Inlays/ Onlays
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dentures
- Porcelain Crowns
- Dental Bridges
- Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Composite Fillings
You will notice that many of these procedures are on both lists: cosmetic and restorative dentistry. The reason for that is many of these procedures improve the function of the teeth and gums while improving the aesthetics of the mouth. You will see your cosmetic/restorative dentist in Burkburnett, Texas, performing these procedures to improve your mouth’s function and enhance its beauty.
Learn More About How Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Change Lives
Are you tired of having dental flaws that detract from the brilliance of your smile? Do you have a dental problem that is holding you back in your personal or professional life? Are you simply tired of having a lackluster smile that could be a lot more stunning? Why not treat yourself to cosmetic and/or restorative dentistry that will transform any dull smile into a dazzling smile that lights up the room?
If you live in Burkburnett, Texas, or a surrounding area, please contact Burkburnett Family Dental (940) 569-4901 to schedule a new patient evaluation. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our dental team members will reach out to schedule an appointment or answer questions you may have about cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry in Burkburnett, Texas.
