Many patients wonder whether a cosmetic dentist can provide orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles without having to see a separate specialist. If you want to straighten your smile, it is important to know which type of provider is right for you. Your choice will depend on your specific goals for your smile and your overall oral health.
A cosmetic dentist focuses on the visual characteristics of a smile. This work includes the color, shape, and surface of the teeth. While these providers do not focus solely on bite alignment, many cosmetic dentists have the tools and training to fix minor alignment concerns. This skill set enables a patient to receive a complete smile makeover at a single location.
Cosmetic offices often offer solutions for minor to moderate movement. These treatments focus on the smile zone, which includes the teeth that show the most when a person laughs or speaks. If the goal is a better look for mild-to-moderate teeth straightening, a cosmetic provider is often a great choice.
Most cosmetic practices use clear aligners to help patients reach their goals. This method uses a series of removable plastic trays to move teeth into a better spot. This option is popular because the trays are hard to see and do not require metal brackets and wires.
The dentist can use clear aligners to help with several issues. These include:
These treatments offer a path to a straight smile without the need for an orthodontist in many cases. Additionally, the dentist monitors progress to ensure the result looks natural and fits the face of the patient.
Not every patient needs to move their teeth to get a better smile. Some people choose veneers or dental bonding to hide small cosmetic issues. Porcelain veneers are thin covers bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. Meanwhile, dental bonding uses a tooth-colored resin to fill small gaps or fix a chipped edge. These choices do not fix the bite. Rather, they enhance a person’s appearance.
There are times when orthodontic treatment from a cosmetic dentist is not the right path. Some cases involve deep bone or jaw issues that require the skills of an orthodontist. These specialists spend years learning the mechanics of how the jaw and skull work together.
A patient should see a specialist for complex problems, such as severe overbites, underbites, crossbites, and large tooth gaps. An experienced orthodontist has the specific tools to handle these structural concerns. If a cosmetic dentist finds a major bite issue during an evaluation, a referral to a trusted partner ensures the patient stays safe and healthy while achieving their smile goals.
If you want to know if orthodontic treatment from a cosmetic dentist is the right move for your needs, a consultation is the first step. The team at Dr. Eric Johnson can help you decide between the straightening options we offer. Call our San Clemente office today to schedule an appointment and start your journey toward a straighter smile.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drericjohnson.com or call Dr. Eric Johnson at (949) 205-1139 for an appointment in our San Clemente office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Cosmetic Dentist in San Clemente, CA.
There are many cosmetic dentistry options for you to choose from nowadays when you want to fix your smile. A smile is a social asset that makes people appear more sociable and attractive. Not being happy with the way your smile looks often leads to lower self-esteem and feeling self-conscious when interacting with others.That is…
Visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist is the first step towards achieving a smile you are proud to show off each day. Experienced cosmetic dentists can address a range of concerns, including teeth stains, damaged teeth, misshapen teeth, short teeth, and misalignments.Every cosmetic dentist will offer different services, depending on their training and preference. However, most…
People who do not like the appearance of their teeth are recommended to visit a cosmetic dentist. These dental professionals use a combination of cosmetic dentistry and restorative dental procedures to repair and improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth, allowing the individual to smile confidently again.Before undergoing a smile makeover, the patient will consult…
A smile makeover can transform not only the appearance of teeth, but also the way a person feels in social and professional settings. When the color, shape, or alignment of teeth causes hesitation, a smile makeover offers a structured way to address those concerns. Modern cosmetic dentistry combines art and science to create natural-looking improvements…
Monitoring dental fillings remains vital to maintaining a healthy smile, as these repairs eventually wear down over the years of daily chewing. While a filling protects the tooth for a long time, it is not a permanent fix and often needs to be replaced to prevent further decay. Spotting the early warning signs of a…
An Invisalign® dentist helps straighten teeth with clear aligners, but the best results depend on a solid understanding of candidacy, planning, and consistent daily habits for every patient. Many people assume aligners work the same for every smile, yet moving teeth effectively requires a personalized approach to reach the desired goal. The points below help…