Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the modification of the appearance of teeth instead of the treatment or prevention of disease. Cosmetic procedures can improve imperfections caused by genetics, environmental factors, injury, neglect or age.

Patients interested in cosmetic dentistry need to have a dental examination so that the dentist can determine which procedures are right for them. Some patients are not good candidates for some procedures. For example, bleaching may not be recommended for patients with periodontal disease.

Many cosmetic dentists have access to computer imaging technology. Dentists can use this technology to show patients how their teeth are likely to look after a given procedure. Before and after images can be generated before patients commit to the dental work. This can help patients determine which procedures they are interested in, especially when there are numerous options. For example, an oddly shaped tooth may be corrected with recontouring or bonding. Different options may produce slightly different results. In some cases, dentists may recommend prosthodontic treatments, such as veneers or crowns, which are used to replace or cover missing teeth or structures.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures can be expensive, especially if many teeth are involved. In most cases, cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. However, restorative or preventive procedures, which may be covered in part or full by insurance, often also have cosmetic benefits. For example, composite resin, which matches tooth color closely, can be used instead of silver amalgam material to repair a cavity or replace a loose or otherwise defective filling.

Many cosmetic procedures (e.g., bonding) use artificial materials to modify the teeth. These materials may crack, chip or fall off. They may not match the color of the surrounding teeth exactly, or may appear a different shade in certain light (e.g., in a theater or nightclub). Some of these materials require special care, although many only require diligent dental hygiene. Some patients may experience sensitive teeth after a cosmetic dental procedure.