Many people are tempted to confuse orthodontic treatment with cosmetic dentistry and use both terms as a universal way to describe one or the other treatment. In reality, orthodontic treatment and cosmetic dentistry are two different means of treating oral issues, but orthodontic treatment improves oral functionality and cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of your smile.

Understanding The Purpose Of Both

Orthodontic treatment and cosmetic dentistry work together to give you a healthy, attractive smile, but both have different purposes. Orthodontic treatment diagnoses, corrects and prevents crooked bites, but its main purpose is to provide a healthy bite by correcting the positioning of your teeth. Good orthodontic treatment can also secure healthy teeth, gums and jaw joints, which provide for dental health over the course of a lifetime.

Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, is solely for the purpose of improving the appearance of your smile utilizing dental veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and inlays or onlays, which provide structural restoration, as well as enhance the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is not generally necessary beyond your own personal desire to make your smile more attractive.

Treatment Differences Between Orthodontics And Cosmetic Dentistry

Since orthodontic treatment and cosmetic dentistry work hand in hand to provide healthy and attractive smiles, people often incorrectly use the terms interchangeably. Both treatments are for the well-being of your teeth, but cosmetic dentistry is only utilized to make a more attractive smile, and not because the treatment is necessary, whereas orthodontic treatment is necessary to keep your gums, teeth and jaws healthy.

Orthodontists use these treatments to help reposition your teeth:

Cosmetic dentists use dental veneers and implants, whitening applications, and inlays or onlays to improve your smile’s visual appeal. Dental bonding is also becoming more popular for correcting the appearance of your teeth by using a composite resin to shape your teeth to your desired appearance.

Orthodontic Treatment vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: Are They The Same?

Orthodontics Strives For Permanent Solutions

If only keeping your teeth straight was as easy as going through a year and a half with braces on. While that would be convenient, unfortunately straight teeth have to be maintained even after your braces have been removed. Orthodontic treatment using braces or Invisalign retainers is an ongoing process that requires commitment after the braces have come off. Once you have straight teeth you have to put in some work to keep them in their new positions. Thankfully though, the hard work is done by this point and all that’s left is to faithfully wear your retainer for your prescribed amount of time.

Remember that even if your teeth are pulled in place, the pressure from your braces or Invisalign retainer won’t be there forever and your teeth could shift back to their original position. Orthodontics provides the means to having straight teeth for the rest of your life, and wearing your retainer regularly will help keep your teeth in place long term. Cosmetic dentistry can be a great short term solution, but often desired treatments such as teeth whitening and implants can serve their purpose for a season and need to be redone after a given amount of time.

Get The Best Orthodontic Treatment In Fort Worth

When you are ready to give your smile a boost, the best orthodontic treatment is just around the corner in Fort Worth. At Ahava Orthodontic, you will get top-notch expert care by our team of professionals and can be at ease knowing the future of your smile is in our capable hands. Let us help you get the smile you want to have for the rest of your life. Call us today at 817-926-9777 to get on the schedule!