Let’s face it: We’re a beauty-driven species. The Egyptians kicked off the beauty culture in 10,000 B.C. by developing cosmetic products to soften wrinkles and get rid of stretch marks.

Fast forward to today and there’s no doubt that more and more people are obsessed with our looks and our smiles -- a trend that’s turned the cosmetic dentist into our modern-day beauty guru.

General Dentist vs. Cosmetic Dentist There are general dentists who perform cosmetic procedures and there are general dentists who call themselves cosmetic dentists. So how do you tell the difference?

The truth is it’s complicated. Cosmetic dentistry is somewhat of a subjective label as it is not an officially recognized specialty of the American Dental Association.

However, some dentists use the moniker “cosmetic dentist” to differentiate themselves because they believe that:

- A cosmetic dentist has a greater standard of beauty than a general dentist.

- A cosmetic dentist believes in the art of smile design; a general dentist does not.

- A cosmetic dentist is trained to create things; a general dentist is trained to fix things.

- A cosmetic dentist seeks continuing education simply for the passion of creating more beautiful smiles.

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

According to the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, the top cosmetic dental treatments are:

- Tooth Whitening -- The most common cosmetic dental procedure for lightening (bleaching) discolored teeth.

- Bonding -- An option for fixing broken, chipped or cracked teeth.

- Dental Implants -- A more attractive option for replacing missing teeth than dentures.

- Dental Veneers -- Thin, custom-made shells designed for closing gaps or disguising stained teeth that don’t respond well to whitening treatments.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

John Ray said, “Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.” If this is true, then it’s important to arm yourself with the best cosmetic dentist. Be sure to look at a cosmetic dentist’s book of “before and after” photos; ask about his or her participation in continuing education courses; and ask for references.

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