Cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, from whitening and shaping to closing spaces and replacing teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Most think of cosmetic dentistry as tooth whitening or porcelain veneers, but a cosmetic dentist can provide much more.

Today’s dentists have a wide array of tools and techniques at their disposal for improving the look of your smile. From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile.

But with so many options available, it’s difficult to know which ones will best suit a person’s goals.  Here, at Klug Dentistry, we often have people asking us to help sort out some of the confusion for them.

Here are 6 of  the most frequently asked questions we get and some quick information to help clear the confusion:

•  I don’t really like the way my teeth or my smile look – what can I do?

A wide variety of options are available to improve tooth function and how your smile looks.

Here are generally the most popular procedures:

• Tooth Whitening
• Dental Bonding
• Porcelian Crowns
• Tooth Repair
• Veneering
• Dental Implants
• Orthodontics and Aligners
• Dentures

Tooth Whitening is where the teeth are whitened (another term is bleaching) and there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. External tooth whitening happens when vital teeth are bleached by direct contact with a safe and commonly used whitening agent, either in a dental office or at home. For most situations, tooth whitening is possible and safe.

Dental Bonding is a popular treatment option because it provides a successful attachment between the filling material and the tooth’s original enamel and dentin. It looks like the original tooth and functions like it as well. Direct composite bonding is used to recreate a smile in an additive manner, where little or no tooth reduction is needed. Direct bonding, in the hands of a skilled operator, is less costly than porcelain veneers and crowns and can be long-lasting with proper maintenance.

Porcelain Crowns can be sculpted to closely replicate the look of natural tooth enamel, while providing desirable strength and resilience. Porcelain crowns are an excellent choice when recreating the form and function of a damaged tooth, because a crown basically replaces the entire external portion of the tooth down to the gum level. Crowns are not limited to simply replacing the original tooth, but can be designed to create an even better aesthetic appearance.

Repairing Damaged Teeth is accomplished in several different ways, but is probably most used for repairing chipped teeth. Bonding materials (high-density, space-age plastics called composite resin) and porcelain–are more natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match the surrounding teeth making it difficult to discern there ever was a broken tooth. Logically, it is imperative that you seek a dentist’s help to as soon as possible to ascertain how badly the tooth is damaged and what treatment is best suited.

PorcelainVeneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. It is often the material of choice for those looking to make slight position alterations, or to change tooth shape, size, and/or color.

Dental Implants replace the roots of lost teeth. A dental implant–along with a crown built on the implant–replaces a missing tooth or teeth and helps to maintain the bone support of the adjacent teeth, extending their life span. Dental implants are considered a permanent service and can be expected, in most cases, to last many, many years. They are the optimum choice for replacing missing teeth. A tooth replaced with a dental implant should be imperceptible from a natural tooth.

Orthodontics and Aligners  -more commonly referred to as “braces,” is done in order to reposition the teeth, but also is meant to solve certain issues that has caused the teeth to arrive at their current positions and what future movement is possible. Your cosmetic dentist now has many options available, from conventional braces to “invisible braces” (clear orthodontic aligners) and reduced treatment times. Consult your dentist about the possibilities. Each option offers its own benefits and issues and should be carefully selected to suit the situation.

Dentures and Overdentures have been considered a tried and true method for tooth replacement for years, but they come with their own set of issues. The main problem is that dentures rest on teeth and gums for stability, which can encourage bone loss, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. However, dentures can be relined every few years to compensate for bone loss and any compromised facial integrity. There have been modern advances in dentures, as there have been in many other areas of dental healthcare, and an overdenture retained by implants may be an option. Overdentures are a combination of traditional dentures and the newer science of dental implants to prevent bone loss that could result from dentures alone.

 

• How much does it cost to get that great smile?

Like most services, cost varies based on the amount of time required and the difficulty of the procedure(s). Generally, when improving a person’s smile, it requires a combination of several treatment options such as bleaching, reshaping gums, and using bonded materials (resin or porcelain) to improve the appearance of the teeth. A great way to start is by having a consultation with a dentist to determine how you can reach your goals. Remember, improving your smile is an investment in you.  Call our office and talk to one of our friendly professionals about possible options.

•  If I have dental insurance, will it pay for the costs?

Most dental insurance has very low total benefits per year, which may offset the cost for regular checkups, but probably won’t pay toward cosmetic services. Insurance is a business; thus, your carrier will often contract to pay for the least expensive option instead of the best solution for your particular needs or desires. Many dentists will work to maximize your benefits, and may have suggestions for alternative methods of financing so you can obtain the treatment of choice. Talk to one of our staff members to ask about dental insurance and financing.

• How long do these cosmetic procedures last – are they a permanent solution?

With good home care and regular visits to your dentist, modern materials can last for many years, and possibly decades. Like most things, excellent maintenance will extend the life of your dental restorations.

For example, the lifespan of porcelain veneers tends to be somewhere between ten and twenty years.  It is possible that veneers sometimes come off or chip. If this happens, they can be repaired or replaced. However, over time, the living tooth and gum tissue around the veneers will undergo changes that may require alterations to your veneers.

• How many office visits will it require for me to get the smile I want?

This varies with each individual, depending on the need. Sometimes, you can dramatically improve your oral health and appearance in just a couple of visits. We will work to make your treatment as convenient as possible, perhaps choosing slightly longer visits instead of frequent trips to the office. If you have questions, give us a call to discuss your goals and concerns  so that the best plan can be developed for your individual situation. If you start today, a new smile can be yours sooner than you think.

• Are these procedures suitable for my child?

These questions are typically the first ones asked when a child has injured his or her mouth or teeth. Dealing with children’s dental issues is very subjective and depends on the situation. But, if your child suffers a mouth or tooth injury, it is important to see a dental professional as soon as possible to evaluate the situation and to possibly prevent further damage.  For teeth that are growing out of position or crowding other teeth, orthodonics treatments are required. “Aligners” are meant to solve certain issues that has caused the teeth to arrive at their current positions and to predict future movement as soon as possible  , or in some cases, if braces should also be considered as a long-term solution. If you have questions, give us a call to discuss your goals and concerns  so that the best plan can be developed for your individual situation.