Most people know they want to enhance their smile, but they don’t necessarily know if their needs are cosmetic, rehabilitative, or a bit of both. Though we often discuss these two fields of dentistry independently, cosmetic and restorative treatments often overlap. At Skale Dental Professionals, we help patients differentiate between options and understand where they fit on the spectrum of cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry. We don’t just look at how a smile looks; we consider how it feels, how it functions, and the effects it will have on your oral health and quality of life.
If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Northbrook, IL, understanding the difference between cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry can help you decide on the best treatment for your needs and feel confident in your choice.
Explaining The Difference Between Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is focused primarily on enhancing the appearance of a patient’s smile. These treatments are usually cosmetic in nature and improve the aesthetics of a patient’s smile. Cosmetic dentistry can improve teeth that are stained, chipped, spaced, etc.
On the other hand, restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry focused on maintaining and repairing the teeth by restoring their health, strength, and functionality. This is done in the case when teeth have become compromised due to damage, attrition, erosion, loss of bone, or loss of teeth. The goal is to restore and preserve the structures that contribute to chewing, speaking, and the general quality of life.
Though cosmetic and restorative dentistry are very different, they do have similarities. Both aim to help you maintain and achieve a better smile.
When A Patient's Aesthetics Also Affect Oral Health
Many patients believe that cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry are two very different fields and do not overlap. However, there are certain dental problems that can have negative consequences on both the aesthetics of a patient’s smile and the functional aspects of oral health.
A cracked tooth can detract from the look of your smile and can also compromise its strength. Missing teeth will not only affect the symmetry of your smile but also make eating and speaking more difficult. A heavily worn smile can change the appearance of a patient’s smile and alter a patient’s bite.
Due to these commonalities, many patients will seek treatments that are both cosmetic and functional in nature, allowing you to improve their smile while maintaining proper oral health.
Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments
Knowing what types of services are considered cosmetic or restorative can help you determine whether your cosmetic concerns will improve with these different dental treatments.
Cosmetic & Rehabilitative Dentistry Treatment Options
Common cosmetic treatments include:
- Professional teeth whitening to brighten a patient’s teeth.
- Dental veneers can be applied to the front of the teeth to improve their shape, symmetry, and aesthetics.
- Cosmetic bonding can be used to repair chipped teeth, fill gaps, and improve overall aesthetics.
Common rehabilitative treatments include:
- Dental crowns can protect teeth and restore their strength.
- Dental implants are a long-term solution for missing teeth.
- Implant bridges and other options are used to restore teeth and functionality.
Restorative treatments can be used to address patients who have experienced excessive wear. In fact, many times a patient can have a combination of procedures that would help to improve their smile in both functional and cosmetic ways. But how does one know which treatment is right for them? It starts with understanding the root cause of the problem. Is this patient looking at cosmetic treatment? Or perhaps, the patient is having difficulty chewing, or maybe they have some other oral function or health issue at hand? In our initial evaluation process, we look at:
- Overall tooth and gum health.
- Tooth wear, damage, or missing teeth.
- The alignment and health of their bite.
- Patient goals and expectations.
After we have this information, we can better guide patients as to which treatment would best solve their concern and help them achieve their oral health goals. There are often many different combinations of treatments that can be used to accomplish a patient’s goals.
There are many benefits to combining both cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry principles into one treatment plan. In fact, most successful “smile makeovers” do include both of these elements. When one or the other is not addressed, the results may not be as optimal and will not look or function as well. An integrated approach is able to look at the bigger picture and how a single treatment can influence one aspect of your overall health or cosmetic appearance. The result may be better than simply a cosmetic-only approach or a rehabilitative-only approach.
- Aesthetically pleasing appearance that complements other facial characteristics.
- Improved chewing function, which may also improve jaw joint issues.
- Better longevity of treatment.
- Better patient comfort and confidence when smiling.
In the end, many patients are happy to have their entire smile addressed and see more overall and long-term satisfaction.
Every Patient Is Unique
Just as every patient has their own unique oral health needs and wants, they also each have different goals for their smile, and as such, their recommendations may differ as well. Some patients may have only minor cosmetic issues, but others might require more extensive rehabilitative treatments first, before aesthetic procedures may even be considered.
At Skale Dental Professionals, we spend time learning about a patient’s goals, we examine the condition of their teeth and gums, and, based on this information, we offer recommendations. The treatments we recommend are customized to your needs and goals, and we take pride in ensuring each of them makes a difference for you.
We Love Our Patients!
Patients from all over the Northbrook, IL area, have been visiting and coming back to Skale Dental Professionals because they like our “holistic” approach. We like to look past just the cosmetic needs. After all, we believe beautiful smiles should also be healthy and functional, and long-lasting.
Skale Dental Professionals is focused on making each patient comfortable and informed. We listen to our patients, and we offer recommendations and educate them on the choices they have to help them reach their specific goals. This is our way of providing quality dental care that is customized and tailored to each patient’s needs. Whether it is a cosmetic need or a restorative need, or both, rest assured, your smiles are the best they can be.
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Do you want to get more information about which dental treatment might be right for you? Contact our office at Skale Dental Professionals today, and we'd be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. We will also review any options that may be available to you. Your beautiful new smile awaits!