Cosmetic Dentistry in Chattanooga

Cosmetic dentistry is anything that enhances a person's smile. This could involve Invisalign, braces, crowns, fillings, or veneers.

The only way to know is to come in and tell the dentist what you don't love about your smile. We can then come up with the best options for you.

General dentistry focuses on the function of your mouth and just all aspects of dentistry, while cosmetic dentistry pays more attention to what we see in your smile.

Restorative dentistry restores both the function and health in your mouth and also any cosmetic problems, while cosmetic dentistry mostly focuses on restoring the cosmetics. Sometimes, when we're considering dental procedures, it's just as easy to opt for one option as it is for the other. Take, for example, braces. Whether we're looking to align your teeth, apply veneers, or install crowns for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, it's just as feasible to ensure they're properly aligned for optimal functionality.

Cosmetic dentists have several methods to enhance your teeth. They can achieve this through teeth repositioning using options like Invisalign or traditional braces. Alternatively, they may employ non-invasive techniques like applying a covering to the teeth to alter their shade, shape, or alignment – think of it as adding a bit of “lipstick” to your teeth.

Another avenue is teeth whitening, where no physical alteration to the teeth occurs. Instead, the focus is on removing stains to brighten your teeth, leaving you with a dazzling smile that makes you truly happy.

Absolutely. Cosmetic dentistry can correct any issues with alignment, size, shape, or color of your teeth.

Yes, it can, but there may be a limit to what cosmetics can fix and we might need to involve specialists for more severe cases. If you're unsure whether your overbite can be corrected using the least invasive approach, feel free to reach out to us. We can assess your condition and provide you with a precise recommendation. If your overbite falls within the range of being slight, mild, or even moderately severe, we have the ability to employ minimally invasive techniques to effectively address and correct it.

Yes, crooked teeth can be fixed with braces or veneers, depending on the level of malalignment.

I would say that there's probably no age that's too young. Even braces or orthodontics are considered cosmetic treatments, so sometimes we begin to consider orthodontics or orthodontic appliances quite early. Many parents often ask when it's appropriate to start thinking about cosmetic treatments for their child, and the truth is there isn't really an age that's too young. This is because we can often intervene, even when children still have baby teeth, to help align their permanent teeth better. This, in itself, is a form of cosmetic improvement. Additionally, on the orthodontic side of things, we can sometimes use appliances, not necessarily full braces, to help align teeth as the permanent ones start coming in.

When it comes to more advanced cosmetic procedures like veneers or replacing a missing tooth with an implant, we typically start considering those a bit later, often in the late teenage years. This timing is usually determined by the child's development. The best course of action can be assessed by visiting your dentist or coming to see us, and we can evaluate your child to provide you with the most suitable guidance.

We absolutely enjoy working with young children; it's a lot of fun. Most of us on the team are parents ourselves, and many of us have young kids, so we understand the unique needs of working with young children. While our work with young children may not involve cosmetic procedures like placing veneers on baby teeth, there are still several things we can do to assist younger children. These interventions can aid in ensuring that their permanent teeth come in with better alignment and can potentially help avoid the need for braces or other cosmetic treatments later on.

You're never too old for cosmetic dentistry as long as it bothers you and it's something that you would like to work on.

Cosmetic dentistry can replace a missing tooth in the front without the need for an appliance that goes in and out of your mouth. This can be very strong and will give you confidence to smile knowing your tooth won’t fall out.

We can move teeth around with braces, Invisalign, veneers, or crowns.

Cosmetic dentistry is considered oral surgery anytime there's a tooth that is non-restorable and we need to take it out and then replace it.

Cosmetic dentistry gives you confidence in your smile, boosts your self-esteem, and can help overcome the judgment you may feel from others about your teeth.

The process is generally short term, with procedures like veneers or whitening done in a couple of weeks. Procedures like Invisalign or braces might take longer, between six months and two years depending on your situation.

When it comes to choosing a dentist for cosmetic dentistry, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, trust is paramount. Trust is a critical element in all aspects of dentistry. There are various dentists out there, each with their own approach to achieving your dental goals. However, it's crucial to work with someone you genuinely trust and feel comfortable doing business with.

Secondly, confidence and communication are essential. When you speak with a dentist, do you feel that they are confident in their ability to solve your dental problems? Can they easily explain the issues and propose clear solutions? Furthermore, when you inquire about the treatment process, are they able to explain it in a way that is easily understandable? These aspects of confidence and effective communication should also weigh heavily in your decision when looking for a cosmetic dentist.

No, cosmetic dentistry is not painful. Some procedures need no anesthetic at all, and some require local anesthesia. In the end, you shouldn’t be in pain.

Most cosmetic procedures are non-invasive and require no anesthetic. For others, we can do local anesthesia or provide nitrous oxide to relax you but not render you unconscious.

The recovery process after cosmetic procedures is remarkably short, taking very little time. Typically, from the moment you step into the office to when you leave, you will already have a temporary solution in place, and you'll be able to enjoy your new smile. While this initial solution is temporary, it looks impressive and is a significant improvement over your original condition. Just a few weeks later, you return for the permanent solution, and the good news is that there's virtually no healing time required at that point. After you receive the permanent treatment, you're ready to go without any further delay.

Yes, there are precautions you should take to protect your investment in your smile, such as not biting your fingernails, not chewing on things, not crunching on ice, and wearing a night guard.

In general, insurance companies don't prioritize the aesthetic aspects of your dental work; they are typically less concerned with how attractive you may appear. However, if you have existing dental restorations that need replacement for other reasons, there is a possibility that some of those costs may be covered by insurance. It's important to set the expectation that insurance is unlikely to assist with expenses related to cosmetic dentistry.

In our office, we offer a range of options. You can choose to break the payments into installments, explore financing options, or simply pay for the cosmetic procedures outright. We strive to be flexible and accommodating in this regard, offering numerous financing choices. Our primary goal is to ensure your happiness and overall dental health while making the financial aspect as easy as possible for you.