Posted on: 14 February, 2025
Restorative treatments such as crowns, bonding and straightening can have both functional and aesthetic benefits
5 minute read
When it comes to your smile, its appearance and function don’t have to be separate goals, or need separate treatments. While general dental care focuses on maintaining a healthy and functional mouth, cosmetic and restorative dentistry involves modifying or restoring the appearance of your smile.
A skilled dentist keeps both function and aesthetics in mind when discussing your needs and developing your personal treatment plan. Read more about how dentists combine restorative dentistry and facial aesthetics to achieve a balanced smile or contact our Mount Lawley dentists today to start your own smile journey.
Restorative dental treatments aim to repair, strengthen or build up teeth that may have become worn, damaged or misaligned over time, or to modify teeth that may be naturally short or misshapen. Many dental treatments can be considered restorative, from routine fillings, crowns and root canal therapy to teeth straightening and teeth replacement.
Our teeth, gums and jaws all serve specific functions, and problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and misalignment can impact on our oral health and in turn, our overall health and wellbeing. In combination with general dental and an optimal oral hygiene routine at home, restorative treatments can address a wide range of issues to help people eat and speak correctly, free from pain and other symptoms.
While restorative dentistry is primarily concerned with restoring the health and function of teeth and other oral structures, these treatments can also be designed with aesthetics in mind.
Cosmetic dental treatments are generally elective procedures that are chosen for aesthetic reasons, though many also have functional benefits. These treatments may be chosen to address a number of aesthetic concerns, including discoloured, crooked or uneven teeth, gaps and prominent gums, or to generally enhance the appearance of an overall smile.
Cosmetic dentistry covers a broad range of treatments, from teeth whitening, bonding to longer term options like porcelain veneers, crowns, and teeth and gum contouring. Dentists who offer cosmetic treatments should have a thorough knowledge of how these treatments impact on facial aesthetics and how different aspects of a smile contribute to its overall appearance so they can help patients achieve the smile they desire.
Restorative treatments may not be strictly cosmetic, but when carefully planned and skilfully provided, they can have both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Whether functional or aesthetic concerns are more important to you, a good dentist will provide treatments with both in mind, leaving you with a stronger and healthier smile you can be proud of. If you want to talk to a cosmetic dentist about your smile, get in touch today on 08 9227 8777.
Many dental procedures can change facial aesthetics while addressing a dental concern at the same time, from routine dental cleaning removing plaque and surface stains to treatments that replace missing teeth.
Your dentist may recommend some of the following treatment options on their own or combined with other procedures as part of a larger smile makeover, depending on your oral health needs and smile goals.
Fillings and crowns are some of the most common restorations used in dentistry to repair or rebuild teeth. Both can be made from materials that closely resemble natural tooth enamel, with their shade customised to blend in with existing teeth.
White fillings are made from a composite resin that’s applied to fill a tooth cavity, then hardened and polished to leave a smooth surface. A filled tooth can have a seamless finish, though the material can be more prone to staining from food and drink than the surrounding enamel. Old metal fillings can also be replaced with white fillings if they are damaged or loose, or if you prefer the appearance.
Dental crowns are custom restorations that are commonly made from zirconia, porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal. These may be used to repair a tooth that’s more severely damaged and needs more support than a filling. They can also serve aesthetic roles, such as building up short teeth or covering a misshapen tooth. If a tooth is structurally damaged beyond repair, your dentist may recommend its removal, in which case it may be replaced with a bridge, partial denture or dental implant.
Dental bonding uses a tooth-coloured composite resin like a filling to make minor repairs or modifications to tooth surfaces. The resin is carefully applied by your dentist to repair small chips or cracks, smooth out rough edges, close wide spaces between teeth, or patch over discoloured areas. If a larger surface area needs treatment, your dentist may recommend veneers as an alternative.
Dental veneers are aesthetic restorations that replace the front surfaces of teeth to change their appearance. They can be an alternative to teeth whitening treatments for deeper stains and discolouration, or to enhance their shade of white. They may also be used to mask minor damage or crookedness, bridge minor gaps, or alter the shape or size of teeth.
Veneers can be made from different materials, depending on your needs and price range. Porcelain veneers are the superior material option because of their natural translucence, resistance to stains, and longevity. Porcelain veneers may last between 10 to 15 years with proper care. Composite veneers are a more affordable material option, but are opaque in appearance, less durable and may last between 4 to 8 years before they need to be replaced.
Veneers are usually chosen for cosmetic purposes, but they may also help to protect teeth, particularly more hard-wearing porcelain veneers. However, their thin profile means they are more prone to damage than crowns (which covers the entire tooth), and they may not be a suitable option if you grind your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment can be effective for people of all ages who wish to improve the alignment of crooked or crowded teeth and jaws, which can cause a number of problems from chewing and speech difficulties to impacting on appearance.
Invisalign® clear aligners are a popular alternative to conventional metal braces for adults and teens. These transparent aligners fit comfortably over the teeth and can be removed when you eat, though it’s important to wear them as instructed by your dentist to be effective. Each set of aligners is custom designed to gradually shift the position of your teeth, with each being worn for several weeks at a time before the next set of aligners are inserted.
If you have a more serious alignment issue, your dentist may discuss options for braces, such as tooth-coloured ceramic braces and lingual braces that are attached behind the teeth, out of sight.
If any of your teeth are uneven or misshapen, tooth contouring treatments could help to create a more symmetrical smile while also correcting bite issues or other associated problems. Tooth contouring is a delicate process that may involve carefully removing some enamel while building up other areas with composite resin.
Tooth loss has many effects, from affecting your ability to chew and speak properly to causing misalignment of opposing or adjacent teeth, or deterioration of the jawbone, leading to a sunken facial appearance. However many teeth you want to replace, dentists offer a range of options.
A dental bridge or partial dentures can replace one or more teeth above the gums, supported by healthy teeth on either side. These are designed by skilled prosthetists to look and function like natural teeth, though your dentist may advise avoiding hard, sticky or chewy foods that can dislodge removable restorations. Full dentures can replace an entire arch of teeth.
If you want more support from your replacement teeth, your dentist may suggest dental implants. These are titanium posts that serve the function of tooth roots, offering more stability, retention and stronger biting forces for a bridge or denture that can help to prevent jaw bone loss. Your dentist can discuss your suitability for implants, bridges or dentures and will make sure you have all the information you need about each option’s costs, benefits and risks so you can make a fully informed decision.
Dr Rainer Anderson consults regularly at Mount Lawley Dental, providing missing teeth solutions to help clients restore their smiles with dental implants. Learn more about Dr Rainer.
Achieving the perfect smile is about striking the right balance for your aesthetic and functional treatment needs. If you want to know more about our restorative and aesthetic treatments at Mount Lawley Dental and how they could help you, call our friendly team today on (08) 9227 8777 to book a consultation, or book online. We welcome patients from across North Perth, including Highgate, Inglewood and other nearby areas.
Invisalign® aligners are a registered medical device. Always read the label and follow and instructions for use from your dentist.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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