What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized dental service that focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. It involves a range of dental procedures that are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the teeth, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and dental bonding.

A woman is looking at her smile in a mirror at the dentist.
A woman is looking at her smile in a mirror at the dentist.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized dental service that focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. It involves a range of dental procedures that are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the teeth, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and dental bonding.

A man is looking at his smile in a mirror.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Hunt Valley, Maryland

When you smile at yourself in the mirror, are you completely happy with what you see? The ‘ideal’ smile is healthy and bright, with teeth that are properly aligned, in good condition and proportional to each other. Is there anything about your smile—the color, shape, size of your teeth—that you would change if you could?


We can focus on a single concern—such as teeth whitening Hunt Valley MD, or repairing damaged, cracked teeth—or correct multiple problems at once for a ‘smile makeover.'


Be sure to check out our “Smile Gallery” page for examples of how we can help you to improve the health and appearance of your smile! If you are searching for a dentist near Ashland MD, our practice is conveniently located to serve you with all your dental needs.

Problems Addressed with Cosmetic Dentistry

Multiple aesthetic defects can affect your smile’s appearance, and cosmetic dentistry may remedy a number of these, including:


  •  Chipped teeth
  •  Cracked teeth
  •  Missing teeth
  •  Stained teeth
  •  Misaligned teeth
  •  Undersized teeth


We encourage you to be an active participant in your treatment to enable us to help you achieve the smile that you want. At your initial consultation, our best cosmetic dentist in Hunt Valley, MD will evaluate your smile and discuss what cosmetic dentistry can do for you.

A woman is sitting in a dental chair while a dentist examines her teeth.
A woman is sitting in a dental chair while a dentist examines her teeth.

Problems Addressed with Cosmetic Dentistry

Multiple aesthetic defects can affect your smile’s appearance, and cosmetic dentistry may remedy a number of these, including:


  •  Chipped teeth
  •  Cracked teeth
  •  Missing teeth
  •  Stained teeth
  •  Misaligned teeth
  •  Undersized teeth


We encourage you to be an active participant in your treatment to enable us to help you achieve the smile that you want. At your initial consultation, Dr. Nathanson will evaluate your smile and discuss what cosmetic dentistry can do for you.

Treatment Approaches

Depending on your needs and goals, Dr. Nathanson may include a variety of procedures in your treatment plan, such as the following:

Veneers

Veneers can be considered like “false fingernails” for teeth. They are thin ceramic coverings that are carefully bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. Veneers can be used to change the shapes, sizes and/or color of teeth and conceal flaws like chips and cracks. They used on teeth with uneven surfaces and on teeth that are fractured, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. In some cases, veneers can also be used as an alternative to crowns.

Restorations

If you have dark or discolored fillings, these can often be replaced with bonded tooth-colored restorations that will better match the existing tooth structure and blend into your smile. If you have damaged or missing teeth, dental crowns in Hunt Valley MD,  bridges, or implants can repair the damage and fill those gaps to greatly improve the appearance of your smile. (In most cases, you’ll be able to eat better, too!)

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a common and popular process used to lighten the overall color and eliminate stains from the surfaces of teeth. Discoloration of the tooth enamel is usually caused by coffee, tea, red wine, medication, or smoking. It can also be due to one’s genetic makeup or simply from aging. To obtain the best results with teeth whitening, we recommend starting with a session performed in our office, then supplementing it at home with a safe, ADA-approved whitening gel and custom-fitted trays, both of which we will provide to you.

Alignment

Treatments may include orthodontic approaches like Invisalign or CandidPro clear aligners, or Snap On Smiles which hide crooked teeth.

Cosmetic Gum Shaping

In framing your smile, your gums also play an important role in your smile’s appearance. We offer gentle laser cosmetic gum contouring to remove excess gum tissue and improve its health, shape and appearance.

A woman is holding a tooth color chart in front of her mouth.

Combining Procedures for Smile Makeovers

Some patients may only need to address one or two aspects of their smile’s appearance, such as the shade of their teeth or a single cracked tooth. However, other patients may need more extensive treatment in order to significantly enhance their smiles.


In such cases, our doctors can combine any of the cosmetic dentistry treatments described above, along with other procedures, to attain your ideal smile. Contact us today for your smile makeover in Hunt Valley and cosmetic consultation!

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