It may come as a surprise to learn that the dental industry actually appeared to be in trouble as it entered the 1980s. The cause? Dentists’ had created an overwhelmingly successful track record of working to reduce tooth decay in the United States by 50 percent in two decades, according to a 1987 article published in the New York Times.

But then came cosmetic dentistry. It breathed life into a dwindling field by offering patients a variety of dental treatments designed to aesthetically enhance the teeth and smile.  

Today, many people are as likely to turn to cosmetic dentistry to fix an aspect of their smile that affects their self-esteem or physical appearance as they are to get a routine dental check-up and teeth cleaning.

Cosmetic dentistry also is known for its many restorative benefits. There are many more visually pleasing options to traditional dental procedures available today. Dental fillings now are available in porcelain or other composite materials that match the color of your natural teeth, as opposed to amalgam, gold or other more noticeable materials. Crowns also are available in tooth-colored porcelain, instead of silver or gold.

As these new materials have become available, many people have opted to have their old, dark-colored fillings and crowns replaced with the new natural-looking options.

Technological advancements in recent years also have enabled cosmetic dentists to take on a variety of dental challenges in one treatment plan. Procedures such as smile makeovers  and full mouth reconstructions  are increasing in popularity.

Cosmetic dentistry can address a wide range of procedures. By clicking on the tabs on the left of this screen, this section provides information to people who want to learn more about these procedures.