Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance of a person’s smile, teeth or gums. A combination of lifestyle and personal factors can result in teeth changing in appearance over the years. Changes in appearance of teeth can be caused by:

• Staining from foods and drinks
• Staining from smoking
• Use of antibiotics in children which can lead to permanent colour changes in adult teeth
• Inherited traits: a family history of gaps, crowded teeth, stains or blotchy teeth
• Chips and cracks
• Broken, cracked or discoloured fillings
• Discoloured or unnatural looking porcelain crowns with black margins
• Discoloured teeth due to metal fillings
• Uneven tooth length due to tooth grinding
• Overgrowth of gum tissue which leads to short teeth or a gummy smile.

Depending on the problem, the cosmetic solution can be very simple and inexpensive or could be more involved.

Cosmetic dentistry can involve;

• Professional cleaning of teeth
• Whitening of teeth
• Amalgam removal
• Tooth coloured fillings
• Veneers
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Bridges
• Implants
• A combination of some or all of the above!