A traditional dentist specializes in oral healthcare and preventative care. This type of care includes teeth cleaning, filling cavities, root canals, oral cancer screening, and restorative services. If you are coming in for a checkup or to discuss tooth pain that you are having, you are receiving traditional dental services.
However, a cosmetic dentist is concerned with making you proud of your smile by improving the aesthetics and health of your teeth. This includes procedures such as teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, and straightening. They are not necessarily required for better oral health.
The two primary dental specialties that focus on cosmetic dentistry are prosthodontics and orthodontics. However, endodontics and also periodontics are also involved in aesthetic dentistry. The American Dental Association defines Prosthodontics as the dental specialty that pertains to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. It defines orthodontics as the specialty that primarily deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of poorly positioned teeth and the jaws.
Endodontics is the specialty that deals with the pulp or soft inner tissue of the teeth and endodontists are specialists in saving teeth which is why they can be considered under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth. Periodontists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants.
While cosmetic dentistry is not a specialty recognized by the ADA, those in this field are usually a part of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which is the world’s largest and most trusted organization for cosmetic dentistry. There are over 6,000 dental professionals, laboratory technicians, educators, and researchers from 70 countries worldwide that are a part of the AACD.
Those who choose to become members of the AACD receive education and training on the latest procedures, techniques, and products through their publications, lectures, and workshops. This allows members to stay one step ahead of their peers by keeping informed on trends in the market and learning how the latest products and technologies benefit the patient and also support the twin concepts of responsible esthetics and systemic oral health. In addition, when patients choose an AACD member dentist, they know their dental professional cares enough to stay in the forefront of the field of cosmetic dentistry. Therefore, their patients receive the most up-to-date and best care available.
In order to become a member of the AACD, candidates must complete a demanding clinical testing process which includes a written examination, documentation of five specific types of clinical cases, participation in continuing education classes, and passing an oral examination. Then, once a dentist or a laboratory technician has achieved AACD Accreditation, he or she is expected to stay on top of industry trends and technology, in order to bring his or her patients the best care available.