Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth or gums (gingiva) caused by genetics, environmental factors, injury, neglect or age. Although cosmetic dentistry does not typically deal with the prevention or treatment of tooth diseases, cosmetic benefits are apparent in many dental treatments, including restorative treatments (e.g., composite resin to fill cavities or crowded or crooked teeth), orthodontics (e.g., braces) and prosthodontics (e.g., implants, inlays, onlays, crowns, veneers).

The type of cosmetic dentistry used generally depends on the imperfection being treated. Various imperfections that can be treated with cosmetic dentistry include:

• Stains and discolorations
• Misshapen or uneven teeth
• Spaces between teeth (diastema)
• Excessive or uneven gums

There are numerous different cosmetic dentistry procedures available to modify the appearance of the teeth and mouth. Among the most popular of these are bonding the front teeth to cover small imperfections and bleaching to whiten stained or discolored teeth. Other options include recontouring to reshape teeth and gingivoplasty to reshape the gums.