FAQs

Dental implants are akin to screws that replace a missing tooth by being anchored into the jawbone. While it may seem that this process would be painful, it's typically not, as there are few nerves in the jawbone. The procedure involves making a small incision in the gums and creating a hole in the bone where the implant is then placed. It usually takes less than six months for the implant to heal and be ready for a tooth to be added. The implant replaces the root of the tooth, not the part used for chewing, making it a two-step process. Once restored, the implant functions like a natural tooth.

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.

No, teeth whitening doesn't damage your teeth. It actually is only dissolving the molecules that make up the stain that's clogging up the pores and making your teeth look dingy.

Dental implants are recommended for patients with missing teeth, especially when there are no other feasible solutions besides removable options. An implant is fixed and does not move, providing the feeling, appearance, and functionality of a natural tooth.

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.

We bring patients in and we're going to put a material over your gums to protect your gums. It's like a gel that hardens and then we're going to put another type of material, it's also a gel, on your teeth and we're going to leave it there for 15 minutes. We'll put a little blue light over your teeth to activate the gel and stimulate the dissolving of the molecules that form the stain in the pores of your teeth. We'll rinse that all off and do it again. Depending on the type of systems that we have available, we would put it on your teeth anywhere from 2 to 3 or maybe even 4 times for 15 minutes each time until we achieve the results that we're looking for.

The advantages of dental implants are their strength and resistance to decay, owing to the fact they're made of non-biological material, not tooth material. While the current material of choice is titanium, this may change in the future. The main downside is their susceptibility to periodontal disease, similar to natural teeth. However, implants have a very long lifespan.

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.

LED teeth whitening systems don't work if you go to public places like a mall. It's actually the material that we put on the gel that is the most effective. You have to have a dental license in order to be able to provide that for patients because there are some things that we need to be careful of when we're working in your mouth. People who engage in such activities in public places like malls often lack the ability or knowledge needed to properly sterilize items, maintain cleanliness, and safely use these products in their mouths.

The dental implant process involves four main steps. Firstly, the natural tooth, if present, must be removed. Secondly, the bone might need preparation, which could involve a bone graft. This fills the hole left by the removed tooth with grafting material to encourage healthy bone growth. Thirdly, the implant is placed and given time to heal, usually up to six months. Fourthly, a tooth is added to the implant for chewing functionality.

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.

No, teeth whitening isn't permanent but it gives you a huge boost to your new white teeth and then you can usually maintain your teeth with something either over the counter or something that you can use at home.

A dental exam for implants involves assessing the health of your gum tissue and bone. We look for adequate, healthy bone to place the implant and any anatomical features, such as nerves, bone anomalies, or sinus issues for top teeth.

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

Yes, teeth whitening can cause sensitivity. However, we have some desensitizer now that we use while we're using the whitening gel and it really cuts down on tooth sensitivity to the point where we get little to no phone calls from patients regarding sensitivity post-operatively.

Medical history is also important as it can influence healing around the implant. Factors like radiation or chemotherapy to the head and neck, diabetes, smoking habits, blood pressure, and bleeding tendencies must be considered to avoid complications during the implant process.

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.

After you've had your teeth whitened, we actually give you something to take home. My suggestion would be every time you get your teeth cleaned, every six months, that would be a reminder for you to go home and whiten your teeth for one or two, maybe even three nights. We keep the gel here and that's the gel that you use in your custom whitening trays.

When planning your treatment, your dentist will examine your mouth, noting the teeth you have and those you're missing, including those that may need replacement. They'll take x-rays and ensure your bone and gums are healthy and spacious enough for the implant. The goal is to create a treatment plan that provides a balanced chewing ability on all sides of your mouth.

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 best time to ask about teeth whitening and get scheduled for it is today. When you come in, we're going to evaluate your teeth, show you some before and after pictures, and tell you what to expect as far as the results go. We also want to evaluate your teeth and make sure that they're healthy so that we can do some of the more fun stuff like the cosmetic things and whitening your teeth. We'll talk to you about how this affects or doesn't affect any kind of man-made materials that may be in your mouth and anything that this could present like a cosmetic type problem for. So, we'll evaluate you and then we'll get you on the schedule for your teeth to be whitened.

For patients curious about the implant placement process, the steps include tooth removal, jawbone preparation with bone grafting if necessary, implant placement, bone growth and healing, addition of an abutment (a component that protrudes from the gums and connects to the implant), and finally, placement of the artificial tooth (crown) over the abutment. This process results in a natural-looking and feeling tooth with a highly cosmetic appearance and excellent long-term prognosis.

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.

Patients often ask about the difference between removable and fixed solutions. Fixed restorations, which remain in your mouth and aren't removed at night, feel more like natural teeth. While removable options can provide chewing ability, they do not offer the same quality of experience as natural teeth or fixed solutions. As such, fixed restorations are the closest you can get to natural teeth.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Teeth whitening is a gel that we put on your teeth and it will dissolve the stain that gets in the pores of your teeth, therefore it removes the stain and your teeth look whiter.