Modern dentistry includes specialised fields that not only treat oral health but also the aesthetic aspect of the smile. Two of these fields are cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry.
Even though they are commonly combined, they have different goals, techniques, and focus on different aspects. Understanding the differences between the two fields will help patients make the right choice for their dental needs, whether they want to improve the appearance of their smile or restore the function and damaged structure of their teeth.
Dentisterie esthétique
Cosmetic dentistry deals with the improvement of the appearance of the teeth and smile. Its goal is not to treat toothache or severe oral issues, but to fix visible imperfections such as discoloring, misaligned teeth, spaces, or irregular tooth shape.
The most common treatments include professional teeth whitening, porcelain dental veneers, cosmetic composite, or Invisalign. These procedures aim to achieve natural and impressive results without negatively affecting the tooth structure.
Patients who choose cosmetic treatments usually seek a more beautiful and regular smile. This directly affects how they feel about themselves and how they communicate with others.
Qu'est-ce que la dentisterie esthétique ?
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialised dental field that deals with the improvement of the appearance of the teeth, gums, and overall smile. It is not focused on the oral health issues such as cavities ot infectios but aims to correct visual imperfections that affect the appearance of the teeth.
This field of dentistry treats issues such as uneven tooth colour, spaces, slight misalignments, and irregular tooth size. Through personalised dental treatments, the goal is to achieve a more beautiful smile, balanced and natural, which fits with the patient’s facial features.
Most Common Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Blanchiment professionnel des dents
Blanchiment professionnel des dents is one of the simplest and quickest procedures in cosmetic dentistry. It aims to brighten discoloured teeth as a result of coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or ageing.
The procedure will be performed in a dental clinic and provides immediate results, with a clear shade difference in the teeth.
The patient will experience a boost of self-esteem after the teeth whitening, making the teeth look brighter and more refreshed. For the results to last as long as possible, it is recommended to avoid colored beverages and to maintain regular oral hygiene after the procedure.
Facettes en porcelaine
Facettes dentaires are a well-known dental treatment for patients who are looking for a complete transformation of their smile without having to go through complex treatment that goes deep in the tooth structure.
They are thin shells composed of porcelain that are placed on the front surface of the teeth and are used to correct the colour, shape, missing spaces, or slight misalignments.
The main advantage of dental veneers is the fact that they look the same as natural teeth and last for a long time. They do not stain easily and provide a more balanced look of the smile, fitting perfectly with other facial features. The process requires careful preparation and close cooperation with the dentist to achieve a personalised result.
Composites
Composites are tooth-colored materials used to repair cracks, chips, small gaps, or to shape damaged edges of teeth. They are a more affordable solution than veneers and can be done in a single appointment without the need for a laboratory.
This treatment is particularly useful for minor aesthetic changes and has the advantage of being minimally invasive. However, composites have a more limited lifespan and can stain over time, requiring periodic touch-ups.
Gum contouring
Gum contouring is a simple dental procedure used to correct an uneven gum line, especially in cases when gums are too visible while smiling. Using laser or other minimal techniques, a small part of the soft tissue is removed to create an aesthetic and regular gumline.
This procedure is not painful, and recovery is quick. The result is a more balanced smile, when the teeth and gums will look proportionate and without asymmetries that might draw unnecessary attention.
Cosmetic orthodontia (Invisalign)
Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional braces, using a set of clear and personalised aligners to shift the teeth to the desired position gradually. They are invisible, comfortable, and can be removed while eating or brushing the teeth.
This technique is much preferred by adults who want to gradually improve their teeth alignment without drawing attention, as it happens with traditional braces. The changes will happen gradually, and the results will be amazing in the aesthetic aspect and functionality.
When Is Cosmetic Dentistry Recommended?
Cosmetic dentistry is recommended when the patient wants to improve the appearance of the smile without the need for more complex and invasive dental treatments. This includes cases when the teeth are discoloured, chipped, have irregular shapes, or have small spaces between them.
This dentistry field is also suitable for patients who have straight and healthy teeth but are not happy with the way their teeth look. Most of the time, patients will experience insecurity when it comes to their smile appearance and will choose cosmetic treatments to increase their self-esteem and to feel more confident while communicating with others.
Cosmetic dentistry can also be a part of a bigger transformation, such as preparing the teeth for a special occasion (weddings, public presentations, work interviews) or to improve the appearance after functional treatments.
These types of treatment are recommended after the overall mouth condition has been assessed and oral health issues have been addressed, so they don’t interfere with the cosmetic result.
Benefits Of Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry will not only improve the appearance of the smile, but it will also affect the way you feel about yourself every day. Here are some of the benefits that these treatments provide:
- Improves the shape, colour, and symmetry of a more balanced smile.
- Immediate teeth whitening for a more natural look.
- Correcting small imperfections with less invasive treatments.
- Increase in self-esteem.
- Quick and pain-free treatments.
- Natural and personalised results.
Dentisterie restauratrice
Restorative dentistry is concerned with restoring the function, strength, and structure of damaged or missing teeth. The main goal is to replace damaged parts of the tooth, stop the progression of dental problems, and restore the ability to chew, speak, and smile normally.
This dentistry field includes treatments such as fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges, implants, and dentures.
Different from cosmetic dentistry, the focus will not only be on the appearance of the teeth but to the long-term oral health. Restorative dentistry will usually be the first step of cosmetic dental treatments.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is a field of dentistry focused on treating and replacing damaged or lost teeth. Its main purpose is to restore natural teeth function, including chewing, speaking, or maintaining jawbone shape.
This field includes treatments such as dental fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures. Different from cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry’s priority is oral health and full mouth function, making sure that the teeth are stable and useful in everyday life.
Most Common Restorative Dental Treatments
Dental fillings
Dental fillings are restorative treatments used to repair damage caused by cavities or small fractures. They help maintain the tooth’s natural structure, closing the spaces created once the damaged area is cleaned. The most used materials include composite (with natural colour), amalgam (metal), and inlay/onlay ceramics in most complex cases.
Couronnes dentaires
Couronnes dentaires are strong caps that will be placed on top of damaged or weakened teeth to make them stronger and to protect them. They are used when a tooth cannot be repaired with a simple filling due to extensive damage or after a root canal treatment. The crown will restore its shape, function, and aesthetics, completely covering it.
Ponts dentaires
Ponts dentaires are an effective solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. They are composed of artificial teeth that are supported by the natural adjacent teeth, which are usually prepared and covered by dental crowns to keep the structure in place. Bridges restore the continuity of dental arches and prevent movement of surrounding teeth.
Implants dentaires
Implants dentaires are screwlike devices composed of titanium that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. They offer strong support for dental crowns, bridges, or dentures and are one of the most stable solutions in dentistry. Implants stimulate the jawbone and help maintain a natural face shape.
Prothèses dentaires
Dentures are removable dental devices that replace missing teeth and the tissues that surround them. They can be partial, when they replace several or one missing tooth, or full when they replace a full arch of teeth. Dentures improve chewing, speaking, and overall appearance of the teeth, helping restore full oral function.
When Is Dental Restoration Necessary?
Dental restorations are necessary when teeth are damaged from cavities, trauma, extensive wear and tear, or infections. In these cases, the natural tooth structure will lose its function and will become unprotected to outside factors and further damage.
Restorative dental treatments restore the tooth shape, strength, and stability to prevent further complications such as infections, constant pain, or further loss of the tooth structure.
These types of dental treatments are a must when one or more teeth are missing. The loss of teeth will affect chewing, teeth alignment, and jawbone health.
Restoration through implants, bridges, or dentures helps restore normal mouth function and the maintenance of the balance of the mouth. In every case when the tooth doesn’t function as it did before, it will be the perfect time for a dental restoration.
The Benefits Of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry not only fixes damaged teeth, but it will also help restore basic mouth functions such as eating, speaking, and jawbone stability. It will prevent the advancement of dental damage and prevent more serious complications that will not only affect the mouth but also general health.
Restorative dental treatments will significantly improve the lifestyle quality, eliminating pain, sensitivity, and insecurity. They help maintain a natural mouth structure and prevent the shifting of the teeth towards the empty spaces. With long-term solutions such as dental implants, crowns, or bridges, the patient will restore stability and full mouth function that will last for a very long time.
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