Cosmetic dentistry is a wonderful way to help restore the confidence you have in your smile. Cracked teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, or discolored teeth can all put a damper on your overall confidence and pride. However, with cosmetic dentistry, your dentist will devise a plan of action to specifically target those trouble areas and give you a fully functional and beautiful smile to be proud of.
Considering cosmetic dentistry but don’t know where to start? Journal Square Dental has put together a guide to help you navigate through a few common questions surrounding your dental treatment.
3 Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Cosmetic Dentistry
Once you have taken the plunge and are ready to give your smile the boost it deserves, it’s time to find a team of dental experts you can trust. During the first consultation and examination, it’s important to come prepared with questions to gauge the length and complexity of your potential treatment. To make your life easier, here are three questions to get started:
What Procedures Are Necessary?
Cosmetic dentistry is not just about the look of your mouth, but the functionality and feel as well. Having two rows of white, shiny teeth is great for confidence, but they also need to be able to bite down into your food and allow you to speak without complications. Your dentist will devise a plan of treatment from there to fully cover the gamut of necessary procedures. Possible options can include:
- Professional teeth whitening
- Teeth straightening
- Dental inlays or onlays
- Tooth extraction
- Dental implants
- Veneers
- Bite alignment
- Gum contouring
Each procedure and its benefits should be discussed in length so you know exactly what the end result will be.
What Is the Duration of Treatment?
Cosmetic dentistry normally requires more than one course of treatment and can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. For example, if you are in the business for a dental crown, it’s likely that you may need to have a restorative surgery done first, like a root canal. Once the area has been rid of infection or rot, your dentist will shave down the tooth to ready it for the crown. The implant will need to be molded and shaped before it can be fitted.
Similarly, if you are looking to straighten your teeth, Invisalign can require up to a year to fully fix any misaligned or crooked teeth. It’s important to get an idea of how long the treatment will take so that you can plan accordingly, both budget-wise and schedule-wise.
What Results Can I Expect?
The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. With X-rays and electronic models, your dentist can demonstrate exactly what each procedure will do for you and the expected benefits. Similarly, they can also give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to side effects. For most cosmetic surgical procedures, the side effects are limited to minor discomfort, small amounts of bleeding, and possible swelling.
When you have the full picture of what your cosmetic dentistry treatment will look like, you can make a fully informed decision on whether or not you are ready to proceed.
Ask a Dental Expert Your Lingering Cosmetic Questions Today
Journal Square Dental has proudly served our local community for over 25 years now. Your oral health and smile are our priority, and that’s why we practice a patient-centered dental model. Our team of dental professionals is there with you every step of the way, from the first consultation to the final procedure. Our Smile Makeover package is specially designed to target your cosmetic dentistry needs and has seen a high level of documented success.
To speak to a compassionate and competent dental professional today, please give our office a call at (201) 431-0288 or fill out our contact form.
