By: Alex Farnoosh, D.M.D., M.S.D., Ph.D.

Ideally, any and all dental work should be performed with the aim of not only helping you feel your best, but also helping you look your best. While most dentists will have this in mind as they fit you with braces, place a bridge, or even just clean your teeth, there are some instances when having a specialist is probably the best choice. You have probably heard the term “cosmetic dentist” before, but I thought I would take a moment to clarify what this term really means.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

In general, cosmetic dental procedures aim to improve the appearance of your smile, which requires analyzing and establishing three important elements in harmony: beautiful teeth, pleasant looking gums, and appealing lips. The procedures offered by a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills to improve the appearance of your teeth may include (but are not limited to):

• Tooth whitening
• Veneers
• Implants
• Bridges
• Crowns
• Bonding

The second element is to establish pleasant and healthy looking gum tissue. The gums may need gum bleaching, leveling of an uneven gum line, or treatment of recession with gum grafting. Aesthetic treatment of the lips can correct a gummy smile displaying too much gums or thin lips, which can be corrected by lip lowering procedure.

While some of these procedures could be performed by a regular dentist or periodontist, a cosmetic dentist with expertise and knowledge will put extra emphasis on making sure that the results are beautiful and in harmony as well as functional. Some cosmetic dentists have special experience and ability with the aesthetics of the teeth, gums and lips to deliver a functional and beautiful smile simultaneously.

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