Smile Makeover: Cosmetic Dentist Unlocks Your Smile

Are your teeth stained, chipped, broken, or discolored? Are the misaligned, misshapen teeth and gaps stopping you from letting your smile shine? 

Not anymore. With the help of a cosmetic dentist, you can smile from ear to ear and not think twice about it. Your smile is the first thing to catch everyone’s eye when you walk into a room — cosmetic dentists ensure you make the right first impression.

What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

A cosmetic dentist is responsible for various procedures on your teeth and gums. They can range from superficial to complicated surgical procedures, all designed to help improve your dental profile. Here are some procedures they offer.

Teeth Whitening

We all find a brilliant white smile attractive and aesthetically pleasing. Teeth whitening is the most basic cosmetic dentistry procedure. It is also the least expensive. Most patients want their teeth whitened for aesthetic procedures. While over-the-counter products like toothpaste can offer moderate whitening results, professional tooth whitening can provide much better results, up to eight shades lighter.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, shell-like sheets made from medical-grade porcelain. Some veneers are made from resin or ceramic. Your dentist will mold dental veneers to your teeth and attach them firmly to the front of your teeth after removing a thin sheet of enamel.

Dental veneers are used to fix many issues, including gaps, crooked teeth, damaged enamel, and other dental defects.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown, also called a dental cap, covers a decayed or damaged tooth; it can help keep a tooth from breaking and can also be used to cover a misshapen or severely discolored teeth.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is the best way to replace a tooth if you’ve had severe tooth decay or lost a tooth before. This procedure is done by attaching a medical-grade screw to the jaw to act as the root and adding a dental implant to it. Dental implants blend right in with the other teeth.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an affordable alternative to fillings and dental crowns. It repairs chips, cracks, tooth decay, and misshapen teeth. For dental bonding, a dentist will apply a moldable resin to the tooth and harden it under ultraviolet light. The resin is trimmed and shaped to look as close to the real thing as possible.

Inlays and Onlays

These are also known as indirect fillings and are used when a tooth is too fragile from decay to support a regular filling. These fillings are created for each patient in a dental laboratory and placed by a trained cosmetic dentist.

Can Anyone Undergo Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment?

Although a few categories of people are unsuitable for dental procedures, like heavy smokers, you can get a cosmetic procedure as long as you have healthy teeth and gums. Underlying medical conditions will also be considered before a cosmetic dental procedure.

Cosmetic Dentist Q&A

How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?

The cost of a cosmetic dentist varies widely depending on where you are and the extent of services you are seeking. You will find price estimates on most clinic or hospital websites. In general, in-office teeth whitening costs between $450 to $650. Over-the-counter solutions may be much cheaper but less effective. Most health insurance covers do not cover cosmetic dentistry. However, check with your insurance provider to confirm.

What causes discoloration of a tooth?

We all eat different kinds of foods, and tooth discoloration is a normal result of eating and aging. As people age, their enamel wears down, and teeth may look dull. A few factors or habits may accelerate the discoloration of teeth, including smoking and heavy consumption of coffee and tea.

Some medications can also affect the color of teeth, especially when taken when the teeth are in the developmental phase. Excessive fluoride intake can also affect the enamel.

What are the side effects of teeth whitening?

Your dentist will take caution to protect you from feeling any discomfort during the teeth whitening process. Your gums are protected from the bleaching agent. After the procedure, you can expect to feel a bit of sensitivity for a short while.

Does teeth whitening always work?

Some people’s teeth are just too far gone for teeth whitening to have the desired effect. In such a case, your cosmetic dentist will suggest you try using dental veneers or composite bonding.

Can I choose to be sedated during a dental procedure?

Yes, the dentist will do everything possible to keep you comfortable, including mild sedation. Please note that your dentist will check your history and health before using any anesthetic on you.

Can a cosmetic dentist fix my missing teeth?

Missing teeth can be just as damaging to your smile as discoloration. Although dentures are not considered cosmetic procedures, they provide just as much relief as other cosmetic dental procedures. You may benefit from dental implants or a dental bridge if you have missing teeth. Talk to your dentist about possible solutions suitable for you.