Restorative dentistry will also solve structural problems with teeth, such as damaged or missing teeth. Restorative dentists use devices such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays and also dental implants to restore their teeth and their proper functioning. But that's where restorative dentistry ends. Dental veneers are a minimally invasive treatment to perfect the look of your smile.
Veneers are wafer-thin pieces of porcelain that are placed on the front surface of teeth. They are a permanent solution to a variety of aesthetic and functional dental problems. Restorative dentistry refers to the management and procedures that the dentist performs to keep the mouth healthy and functional. These procedures include placement of dental implants, dentures, fillings, and crowns.
This type of dentistry requires no specialization; it only refers to the preventive and corrective measures that general practice dentists take to ensure that our mouth stays as healthy as possible. Restorative dentistry is concerned first and foremost with keeping the mouth working as well as possible and, in the process of doing so, can improve the overall appearance of the smile. This is what separates restorative dentistry from cosmetic dentistry, the latter being more concerned with aesthetics. Cosmetic dentistry is a broad category that encompasses a number of different dental procedures.
There are some procedures that are easy to recognize as cosmetic because they only affect the appearance of the teeth. Teeth whitening and porcelain veneers are examples of procedures that are almost always cosmetic. However, there are some dental procedures that many people don't know fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. Three examples of this include dental implants, replacement of dark-colored fillings, and full mouth reconstruction.
That leaves a series of cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental implants or dental bridges, with a function that is more than just cosmetic. A dentist who offers cosmetic procedures will likely have a long list of options to meet a variety of needs. This is because general dentists have the ability to provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services within their offices. Of course, there are some types of cosmetic dental procedures that would be considered purely cosmetic in nature.
While dentists always put oral health first, cosmetic procedures may not necessarily improve both how your mouth works and how it looks.
