In the past the most people did with dentistry was getting braces and regular checkups. But these days the practice of dentistry has given way to a new popular trend: cosmetic dentistry. Needless to say, one of the driving factors behind the rise of cosmetic dentistry has to do with celebrities. What is cosmetic dentistry and what can it do for your smile?

Believe it or not, there is a difference between cosmetic dentistry and regular dentistry. The dentist you and your family regularly goes to more than likely deals with just maintaining good dental hygiene and teaching preventative measures, as well as diagnosing and treating oral disease like cavities and gingivitis. Cosmetic dentists on the other hand, strictly deal with the appearance of the teeth. They achieve this by restoring poor teeth into healthier looking teeth or providing a patient with a newer, better smile. The most common services cosmetic dentists offer to patients include teeth whitening, veneers, implants, and mouth reconstruction.

In the past people only turned to these options if they were in desperate need of repairing their smile and/or teeth. However, this practice is now sought out by people who simply want it but may not necessarily need it. More and more people are signing up for cosmetic dental services and celebrities are one of the fastest growing groups of patients. As trends go, what celebrities do, the public wants to do also. From actors like Hilary Duff to singers like Hannah Montana, we’re starting to see perfect smiles to match the perfect bodies and faces of our favorite red carpet movers and shakers. As a result, the public is now becoming more conscious of their smiles and teeth and seek cosmetic dentistry as a way to improve their appearance.

Teeth whitening is perhaps one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry - so popular in fact, that you can now find teeth whitening kits at the grocery store that can be used in the privacy of your home. The process of teeth whitening involves using bleach to remove stains that are caused by poor hygiene, smoking or food and drink, such as red wine, coffee and tea. However, it is possible to damage your teeth by doing too much whitening. The constant presence of bleach on the teeth over time may cause the enamel to wear down, resulting in pain and sensitivity to the teeth and/or gums.

Getting veneers is another popular cosmetic dental procedure both the stars and everyday people are seeking out. This process involves creating porcelain or composite laminates that are bonded to the existing tooth to create a new smile that can hide gaps, cracks or chips in the original tooth. While most veneers tend to look great, if you aren’t careful in choosing the type, size and fit, you could end up looking odd. Actor and singer Hilary Duff opted for veneers a few years back. Unfortunately, they were too big and created the appearance of large, “horse” teeth. After a lot of teasing and criticism, Duff went back to her cosmetic dentist and got refitted for smaller veneers.  

Although the end results can look great, getting cosmetic surgery isn’t cheap and it is important to weigh your options to find out if the service you are interested in is really worth the cost - or even necessary in the first place. Choose a cosmetic dentist wisely and be sure to ask for before and after photos as well as references from previous patients.

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