Every Dental Practice Considers Facial Esthetics
Cosmetic dentistry has become a focal point for most dental practices, and it is no longer limited to a small number of practitioners who specialize exclusively in esthetic work. Even when a dentist uses tooth-colored composite materials to restore teeth, esthetic principles are part of achieving a good clinical and visual result.
Historically, many dental practices have focused mainly on the intra-oral view, meaning the appearance of the teeth themselves. That is only part of the picture.
Looking Beyond the Teeth
Teeth whitening and thinner, less invasive veneers have continued to improve over the last several decades, and the materials used to restore teeth have improved as well. But once the teeth themselves are addressed, a natural question follows: what about the area around the mouth?
If a practice focuses only on the teeth and overlooks the surrounding facial structure, it limits what esthetic dentistry can offer a patient. Teeth are part of the overall structure of the face, particularly the areas immediately surrounding and encircling the mouth.
Why the Full-Face View Matters
Many esthetic dentistry photos show only a retracted, intra-oral view of the finished result, useful for confirming that margins, contours, and other clinical details meet accepted standards. That is rarely the view that matters most to the patient, however. A more complete picture of esthetic dentistry considers the full-face view, accounting for both the hard and soft tissues, inside and outside the mouth.
This is part of why CARE Esthetics takes a broader view of facial esthetics, considering how dental work relates to the surrounding facial appearance as part of a personalized treatment plan.
Talk to a Provider About Your Goals
If you are curious how esthetic dentistry and facial esthetics relate to your own smile and facial appearance, a consultation is a good place to start that conversation and discuss what a personalized plan could look like for you. Individual results vary.
