Are you concerned about the quality of your smile? The shape or color of your teeth, or perhaps their alignment? If yes, then you’ve probably come across the term ‘cosmetic dentistry’ by now. For some people, any reference to dentistry conjures up all the wrong sentiments and gives rise to a host of different questions. Hence, in the passages that follow, we provide answers to the five most common questions that people ask when it comes to cosmetic dentistry.
Hopefully, by the end of the article, you will have a better understanding of cosmetic dentistry, and may even find yourself ready for a consult!
FAQ 1 – What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
We all want a big beautiful smile, don’t we? Well, that is what cosmetic dentistry is for. Any dental work that seeks to improve the appearance of your smile, teeth and gums is usually categorized as cosmetic dentistry. So, in essence, cosmetic dentistry deals with the more aesthetic dimensions of dentistry and seeks to enhance the overall look of your mouth by improving things such as your teeth, gums and bite.
Cosmetic dentistry can involve several procedures to enhance your appearance from a dental perspective. This can entail procedures to resolve discoloration and misalignment of teeth, to changing the shape and size of your teeth for a better, more confident smile. Common procedures are teeth whitening, tissue recontouring, porcelain veneers and dental implants, among several others. These procedures are mostly minimally-invasive, so that is one less thing for you to worry about.
FAQ 2 – What is Cosmetic Dentistry Used to Fix?
Cosmetic dentistry can be used to fix a host of different aesthetic dental problems. Following is a brief list of some of the more common cosmetic dentistry procedures alongside the different problems that they resolve.
- Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening at the dentist’s office is a great way to fix stained or discolored teeth. Teeth whitening will bring back your perfect pearly whites.
- Tissue Recontouring – Uneven or misshapen gums are damaging to a beautiful smile. Fortunately, through tissue recontouring, cosmetic dentists can fix your gum line to complement your wonderful smile.
- Porcelain Veneers – For chipped, cracked or misshapen teeth, the best solution is to have porcelain veneers done..
- Invisalign ® – For crooked or misaligned teeth, Invisalign ® trays are the way to go. Not only that, but Invisalign ® also resolves issues of overbite and underbite.
Dental Implants – If you have one or more missing teeth, then you can resolve the issue by getting dental implants.
FAQ 3 – Is Cosmetic Dentistry Painful?
Is cosmetic dentistry painful? Typically no. Most cosmetic procedures are painless and not very invasive, but there are others which can be a cause of some discomfort. To keep it short, procedures like teeth whitening are minimally-invasive and not painful, while procedures like porcelain veneers, placement of dental implants, or Invisalign ® trays can be uncomfortable for a short period of time and do cause some sensitivity.
Nevertheless, with advances in dentistry, even uncomfortable procedures can be very well managed. With Invisalign ®, for example, over-the-counter pain medications can help ease discomfort during the treatment. At the same time, for more invasive procedures, like dental implants, sedation may be the only way for a painless and seamless placement of implants followed by management at home with over the counter medication.
FAQ 4 – How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?
Another common question is about the cost of cosmetic dentistry. To be completely transparent, there is no straight answer to this. Cosmetic dentistry involves several procedures that cater to different problems, and hence they vary in their financial cost.
Teeth-whitening is probably the least expensive of all cosmetic dentistry procedures and costs somewhere between $500 to $1200, while more involved treatments like Invisalign ® start at around $4700. Dental implants will replace a complete tooth, and the investment reflects that at about $5000 per tooth on average. For an accurate quote for your personal smile goals, a visit to your dentist will give you the best idea of your needs and the true cost of those procedures.
FAQ 5 – How long does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
The results of cosmetic dentistry procedures are usually long-lasting. However, not all results last equally long. Here is a quick list of common procedures and the durability of their results.
- Porcelain Veneers – Porcelain veneers or cosmetic veneers typically last for ten to fifteen years.
- Dental Implants – Dental implants can last for an entire lifetime and, in most cases, are perfectly durable for fifteen to twenty years.
Teeth-whitening – Dental teeth whitening usually lasts for a few months; however, you may be able to prolong it with the right dietary measures. Many teeth whitening options have a home booster treatment to extend the brightness of your smile.