When you think of going to the dentist, you’re likely to think about cavities and fillings, root canals and extractions, treatments, or any other number of “operative” types of work in your mouth. However cosmetic dentistry focuses on making the appearance of one’s teeth better.

The other benefit (aside from making your smile pretty) of cosmetic dentistry can be restorative benefits. Historically, many people would receive types of dental fillings that were made of gold or amalgam, which made your teeth look dark. Today it’s possible to have your fillings made of porcelain or resins that match your natural tooth color, so your smile looks more natural. Cosmetically speaking, people can get their old fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to achieve these results.

Another big “trend” these days is tooth whitening. Caffeine, nicotine (and other cigarette chemicals), tea, berries, and sugars can badly discolor the teeth, making them look yellow or even brown. Whitening kits have become very popular, but they often miss the mark on getting people that brilliant white smile they’re longing for. Cosmetic dentistry will almost always involve some sort of whitening treatment.

Smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions are also becoming very popular. This includes treatments for over/under bites, bone and muscular structures, as well as crooked or chipped teeth, broken teeth, or missing teeth.

The names of procedures that can be considered “cosmetic” are dental fillings (if being done only as a means to replace old fillings), bonding (the sculpted repair of broken or chipped teeth, made to look like new), whitening, dental veneers (thin plastic or porcelain laminates that hide “ugly” teeth or gaps in teeth), and dental implants (artificial tooth replacements, like prosthetic teeth).