Differences Between a Restorative Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry are dental disciplines that offer similar services. However, they serve distinct purposes and treatment goals. Understanding the differences between a restorative dentist and a cosmetic dentist can help you make informed decisions about your dental care.

Restorative dentistry

Restorative dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses primarily on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth. Restorative dentists aim to restore a patient's oral function and structural integrity. This type of dental care also includes any preventative or corrective options that can help patients protect their teeth against decay, damage, and disease. In addition, restorative dentistry can improve the smile's appearance.

Some common restorative dentistry procedures include:

• Dental fillings
• Dental crowns
• Root canal therapy
• Inlays and onlays
• Dental bridges
• Dental implants
• Dentures

Restorative procedures typically fall into two categories: direct and indirect. Direct tooth restoration is when the restorative dentist fixes a cavity with a dental filling. This type of treatment only takes one visit, and the dentist will consider chewing pressure when determining what type of filling to use.

In contrast, indirect tooth restoration involves partial tooth replacement (inlays or onlays) or complete tooth replacement (crowns, bridges, or implants) for missing or severely damaged teeth. Direct restorations typically involve multiple office visits. For example, dental implants take six months to heal fully and require several appointments to complete.

Cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the appearance of the patient's teeth and smile. While these services may offer functional benefits, such as bite alignment, the primary goal is aesthetic improvement. This is done through various procedures and techniques to improve a patient's teeth' shape, color, size, and alignment. It can also improve the appearance of one's bite and gums.

People may choose to improve the appearance of their smiles for many reasons. Some individuals have yellowed, chipped, or uneven teeth that they feel self-conscious about when they smile. In other cases, patients may want to adjust their mouth size or bite alignment.

Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include the following:

• Teeth whitening: Professional teeth whitening treatments to remove stains and discoloration, resulting in a brighter
• Gum contouring: Reshape the gum line to create a more symmetrical and attractive smile, enhancing the overall appearance of the teeth
• Alignment: Treatments like braces and clear aligners address misaligned teeth and bite issues, improving the patient’s oral function and appearance
• Dental bonding: Applying tooth-colored composite resin to the teeth to repair minor chips, cracks, or gaps
• Veneers: Thin shells made of porcelain or plastic bonded to the front surface of the patient’s teeth to conceal imperfections such as chips, cracks, or gaps

Differences between restorative and cosmetic dentistry

Restorative procedures are essential services. People seeking this type of treatment experience symptoms such as swelling, pain, and severe bleeding. They need the expertise of a restorative dentist to relieve these symptoms.

In contrast, cosmetic dental procedures are typically considered elective care. This means that patients choose the procedure rather than it being necessary for their oral health. Most patients seek cosmetic dental care when they are unhappy with the appearance of their smile. However, they may not necessarily be experiencing any pain, infection, or other problematic symptoms.