Cosmetic dentistry refers to a field in dentistry which focuses in the improvement of the physical appearance of the patient’s teeth and gums. With so many advancements in dental technology, a lot of cosmetic dental procedures were made possible.

Types of cosmetic treatments in dentistry are:

1. Addition of a dental material to the teeth or the gums. Examples under this category include:
   1. Bonding – It uses a tooth colored dental material to cover up gaps and fissures present in the tooth. It is also used to improve the color of stained teeth and reshape a misaligned tooth.
   2. Crowns – They are ‘cap’ shaped like a tooth used to cover a decayed tooth to improve its appearance, and restore natural function.
   3. Veneers – These are wafer thin materials, usually made from porcelain that are bonded to the teeth front surface to correct broken, crooked, misshapen or stained teeth. When compared to bonding, veneers are more durable.
   4. Gum grafts – These are used to treat receding or exposed gums.
2. Removal of tooth or gum structure. Examples under this category include:
   1. Enameloplasty – It is procedure where the tooth’s enamel is reshaped or contoured to change the tooth’s length, shape and position. It is often done to correct irregular or overlapping teeth.
   2. Gingivectomy – It is the excision of excess gum tissues through surgery to correct gummy smiles.
3. Teeth straightening by using dental braces to correct malocclusions.
4. Neither adding a dental material nor removing a tooth or gum structure. Examples under this category are:
   1. Teeth whitening – It uses bleaching materials such as hydrogen peroxide to whiten stained or discolored teeth. Teeth whitening could be done with the use of over-the-counter whitening products, dental whitening kits or in-office whitening treatments.