Cosmetic Science Applied to Dentistry and Teeth: An Analytical Appraisal

Abstract

The term cosmetics conventionally encompasses the application of beautifying products and processes for skin and may also be applied to teeth. Although cosmetic dentistry strives to produce immediate amelioration of appearance, it is not durable, can invoke undesirable tissue reactions, may be gratuitously decorative, may not be ideally functional and could have compromising results. There are differences between cosmetic and esthetic dentistry. This appraisal re-affirms differences between them and provides examples to illustrate differences.