The Ultimate Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized and growing part of the dental field. The term is most frequently used to describe procedures intended to improve the appearance, and often the function of a patient’s teeth.
Most cosmetic dentistry procedures not only improve oral health and appearance, but play a major role in building and restoring self-confidence. Today, cosmetic dentists perform a wide array of procedures, from simple whitening to a full-mouth rebuild.
Thanks to recent advancements in technology, cosmetic dentistry is accessible to people who may not have been able to afford it just a few years ago. Here’s a small sample of the many cosmetic dentistry procedures Dental Studio 101 expertly performs. Check out our infographic below and share it with your peers.
Share this Image On Your Site
Aesthetic Rehabilitation
This is something of an overarching term that could involve one or more procedures aimed at restoring teeth to their natural beauty. Many patients seek out this type of service after years of wear because their teeth to look less aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps someone’s smile has become crooked or discolored.
Aesthetic rehabilitation is also used to restore teeth that have been damaged by injury or illness. In the case of illness, sometimes the sickness itself or the drugs prescribed to treat it can have damaging impacts on teeth and gums.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
This type of cosmetic dentistry is often needed when periodontal disease takes hold. Over time, bacteria builds up and develops between teeth and under gums. Periodontal disease slowly deteriorates bone and causes teeth to decay, and even shift.
Dental Studio 101 uses full mouth reconstruction to fully restore a smile damaged by disease or injury. Our cutting-edge dental studio is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. We’ll come up with a custom cosmetic dentistry plan to ensure a patient’s restoration procedure is done to the highest standards of excellence.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are a great option for patients with a cracked or chipped tooth, or one with an irregular shape. This form of cosmetic dentistry is also a great option for people who want to close a gap in their teeth, or have discoloration that can’t be removed by whitening.
Cosmetic veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain or composite resin materials custom designed to cover the front surface of a tooth. This shell is bonded to a patient’s tooth once a very thin layer of enamel is removed from the tooth. Removing the enamel is an essential part of the procedure because it ensures the veneer will fit comfortably in the mouth.
The shell will then be bonded to your original tooth. The bond must be very strong to ensure the porcelain veneer will hold up to daily wear and tear without cracking or coming loose. A well-placed porcelain veneer will help improve natural tooth function while creating a beautiful appearance.
A cosmetic dental veneer enhances the appearance of the tooth by correcting dental issues such as misalignment, discoloration, chips, and gaps. It also fixes teeth that are worn down and uneven.
In many situations, cosmetic dental veneers are thought to be an excellent alternative to dental crowns as they offer a more conservative approach to repairing tooth damages. In general, a cosmetic dental veneer may last for several years, especially when executed and cared for properly.
Who Will Benefit from This Procedure?
The cost of porcelain veneers is minimal when compared to the long-lasting benefits offered. Some people find that their natural teeth do not respond well to traditional whitening. In this case, porcelain veneers are a great solution that will yield outstanding results.
This procedure can also provide a great benefit for patients looking to improve the shape and contour of their original teeth. Others are concerned about gaps, chips or fractures and are looking for an aesthetically pleasing solution.
Dental Problems that Cosmetic Veneers Can Solve
Whether it is because of genetics or poor oral habits and lifestyle, your tooth enamel will eventually weaken and get dull as you age. If you’re concerned of worn down enamel, a chipped tooth, or uneven teeth, a cosmetic dental veneer can make these issues go away. In addition, veneers can fix cracked, misshapen, and crooked teeth. It may even be used as an alternative to braces.
Aside from providing cosmetic benefits, dental veneers also serve a functional purpose. Because they cover the surface of the teeth, they offer added strength and protection.
Cosmetic Dental Veneer Procedure
Patients wanting veneers may be required to visit the dentist several times throughout the entire procedure.
Initial Consultation
It is during the initial consultation when you discuss with your dentist what results you want to attain. If necessary, have more than one consultation to make sure that your dentist understands your goals. During this phase, your teeth will be evaluated and examined to ensure that veneers are an appropriate treatment for you.
Preparation
To prepare your teeth for veneers, your dentist will lightly buff them and remove about half a millimeter of enamel. This process may require local anesthetic. If the material of the cosmetic dental veneer is composite resin, it may be sculpted and bonded right then and there. Otherwise, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth to send out to a dental lab where the ceramic veneers are fabricated. This usually takes about one to two weeks.
Application
When the ceramic veneers are set, your dentist will place each on the teeth. Before having them cemented, pay close attention to their shade. If you’re not happy with it, the shade can be adjusted with the color of the cement to be used. Your teeth are then cleansed with specific chemicals prior to applying the cement. Once everything’s in place, a light beam is applied to cure the cement.
Implants
Implants are an advanced and highly effective method of creative a beautiful, flawless smile with all the luster of a natural set of teeth. The best way to determine if this process is for you is to give Dental Studio 101 a call to set up a consultation.
Our expert staff use only the latest and most effective technologies to ensure implants are beautiful and long-lasting.
How Does Dental Implant Surgery Work?
Basically, dental implants are replacement tooth roots that are embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue of the patient through a cosmetic dental surgery. During the dental implants’ surgical placement, the gum tissue will be incised. The dental implant will then be anchored into the jawbone through these gum incisions.
The healing process usually lasts for months.
Cost Of Dental Implants
Dental hygiene along with the fixations are now a necessity, it is not a luxurious vanity anymore as compared in the past. That is why dental care is now a part of your insurance benefits, but how much is really covered? How much will you be shelling out if you need to undergo dental implants? Implants are much more dependable than dentures and it a good long term solution to missing teeth. What do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants differs from the procedures that will be performed in particular cases. Here are some factors to consider:
Tooth material
The materials of the tooth/teeth that will be used is a major factor to consider for the cost of dental implants. There are tooth implants that are made from other countries because the materials that the teeth are made from can only be found from those countries. The dental professional may opt these kinds of implants because it may sustain your needs and may last longer than other local implants.
Number of implants required
Patients may have missed not only a tooth but also multiple teeth that may need implants as well. For instance, a patient is suffering from gum disease and teeth are affected, the operation may require a more complex treatment approach. If the teeth affected are in line with each other then the dentist may suggest to proceed to have an implant bridge to install a set of teeth. The cost of dental implants in this case may be above the normal or average cost.
Kind of procedure
Dental implant procedures vary in particular cases. Not all patients have the same situations, one may have simple tooth problem that may acquire the average cost of dental implants and others may need a few number of procedures that need serious amount of money. For example, you may need to have implants near your nasal cavity, which can require a well-trained specialist. In some cases, tooth implants require for oral rehabilitation, gum treatment or bone grafting surgery. The need for bone grafting may cost more than other procedures, and is being performed when a patient has no enough bone volume in the jaw to support tooth implants.
Specialist professional fee
Getting dental implants can be costly, even with dental insurance. Consulting a qualified experienced dentist to do the work maybe a cost effective way to help save you time and money. However, if the procedure is complex then the expertise of an oral surgeon may be the proper route to go.
Crowns and Bridges
These cosmetic dental options are usually fixed prosthetics that can only be removed by the dentist. Crowns and bridges are most ideal for patients with missing or damaged tooth or teeth. Crowns, or caps, strengthen damaged tooth by covering it entirely with porcelain or ceramic, while bridges fill in the gaps left by missing teeth using the same material as crowns.
Types of Crowns
Full Porcelain Crown
When you like your smile to be flawless, think about this full porcelain tooth crown as it perfectly matches the color of your teeth. But it doesn’t have the same durability as the porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Studies have also shown that it wears and tears the other teeth more than the other types. It has been an option for people who are sensitive to metals and don’t want stained teeth. It is bit costly but the color is worth it.
Porcelain-Fused-to Metal Dental Crown
The porcelain made crown is mostly used because it mimics the color of the real tooth. It doesn’t catch attention negatively when you smile. It is not visible as a cap but because it is porcelain it is a bit heavier than usual crowns which tends to tear down the tooth to where it is attached to. It has a metal inside to do its purpose however as it rusts, the color will show through a dark line outside the tooth. It also chips off because it is porcelain. How much are these dental crowns?
Full Resin Tooth Crown
This tooth crown is the most affordable among them but not the most durable. It cracks and chips easily and wears the other teeth faster than other crowns. This is a good choice when you have a limited fund. You have to visit your dental specialist once you feel it is chipping to replace the cap.
How Much Are Crowns?
Like so many procedures in dentistry, citing a general cost is never easy. So much has to do with an individual’s circumstances at the time of any given procedure.
Here at Dental Studio 101, one of the most common questions we is “how much are crown restorations?” To help you get a better idea, we’ll go over a few of the common circumstances that will impact your price.
Why do you Need Crowns?
The reasons patients come to us seeking crowns varies widely. Sometimes patients are looking for a cosmetic solution, while others may have structural issues with their teeth and others may have damaged their natural teeth in some sort of injury.
Cosmetic
People seeking crowns for cosmetic reasons want to improve the appearance of their teeth, even when there are no health issues involved. For these patients, it’s all about restoring self-confidence and helping them live a better life.
Sometimes teeth are misshapen or too small. In other instances, discoloration can be so severe that traditional whitening will not work effectively.
Patients may be noticing a black line at the gum line of an old crown. This is the metal substructure of an older type crown showing through. We avoid that with the replacement by using only high quality full porcelain crowns without any metal.
Damage
Patients with damaged or cracked teeth are also good candidates for crowns. To determine how much crowns are in this situation would involve seeking out the guidance of a skilled cosmetic dentistry professional.
Crowns will work to cover and protect damaged teeth, helping patients eat normal foods and sparing them the potential for a painful experience if the tooth becomes even more damaged. Chips and cracks are common forms of damage that can lead to bigger and more painful issues if left unaddressed.
Tooth Replacement
Crowns are also frequently used to replace missing teeth. The color and shape of crowns can be customized to perfectly match existing teeth. They are typically fixed through a bridge or implant. Implants are an optimal choice for patients because it is a permanent solution that requires the same care as natural teeth. That means brush, floss and show up for regularly scheduled check-ups.
If you need to replace a missing tooth, a crown might just be the best option for you.
Cosmetic dentures
When people talk about dentures, most think of the false teeth their grandparents used to have floating in a glass because they were too unbearable to wear full time. In today’s cosmetic dentures, however, that is not the case anymore. Developments in the technology of dentures have brought durable and functional dental appliances into the world.
Unlike implants and bridges, which are mostly fixed, these appliances can be removed and put back into the mouth whenever desired.
In general, there are two types of cosmetic dentures available on the market: full dentures and partial dentures. Typically, full or complete dentures are for those who have lost all their natural teeth in the upper jaw and/or lower jaw, while partial dentures are for people who have lost a few teeth but do not wish to have implants or bridges. Whether you require a full or partial dental appliance, your dentist will be able to determine that.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentures
Dentures can really give a person’s facial appearance a boost. In addition, because cosmetic dentures can be taken out, many people find that these appliances are easier to rinse than other teeth replacements, and even natural teeth.
Aesthetic benefits
By filling in the spaces left by missing teeth, cosmetic dentures kind of give patients a natural “face lift”, minimizing wrinkles near the mouth area. In turn, patients feel more confident and less conscious about their smile and appearance. Moreover, dentures stop the remaining natural teeth from shifting, further preventing more dental problems.
Functional benefits
Cosmetic dentures provide a number of functional benefits. For one, they allow patients to eat whatever food they want. Secondly, once patients get used to wearing one, dentures improve speech. Lastly, with proper care, a typical denture would last for five to 10 years.
Price
Among all the options for replacing missing teeth, dentures are the least expensive. Dental implants or bridges, and other dental alternatives are usually more costly, and need more extensive treatments.
Although dentures provide cosmetic and functional benefits, people who wear them typically go through a brief adjustment period as cosmetic dentures never feel exactly the same as natural teeth. Nonetheless, they are designed to help patients regain the ability to eat what they want, and enhance their smile and facial appearance, all while looking like a natural set of teeth.
Orthodontics
Braces are often recommended for patients with widely-spaced or crooked teeth. It can be uncomfortable and time-consuming, but it can definitely enhance your smile, and the appearance of your face and jaw.
Invisalign
is another orthodontic treatment that basically produces the same results as braces. The difference is that invisalign is less painful, and because it’s virtually invisible, it’s more appealing.
Common Side Effects Post-Dental Cosmetic Surgery
Since dental implants require cosmetic dental surgery, there are certain side effects that patients may experience after the treatment. Your dentist should be able to discuss the details of the dental cosmetic surgery, as well as the risks involved in the treatment. In the meantime, here are several common side effects that a patient who has undergone a dental cosmetic surgery may go through.
Discomfort and Soreness
Many patients who went through a dental cosmetic surgery will notice some degree of inconvenience. But as with any kind of surgery, any feeling of discomfort or soreness is natural and will eventually dissipate after a while.
Swelling
Similar to soreness, swelling is a common surgical side effect that typically goes away during the healing process.
Bruising
All those surgical activities can cause the gum area around the dental implant to bruise. Again, this is normal. And with time, bruising will naturally fade.
How to Deal with the Side Effects: Although these side effects will naturally heal along with the implant wound, you can make the side effects abate faster, or, at least, ease a little if they make you feel too uncomfortable. You should be able to bear these side effects by following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions, as well as using cold compresses and dentist recommended pain medications.
How to Deal With the Side Effects
Although these side effects will naturally heal along with the implant wound, you can make the side effects abate faster, or, at least, ease a little if they make you feel too uncomfortable. You should be able to bear these side effects by following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions, as well as using cold compresses and dentist recommended pain medications.
Implement Proper Dental Care after Your Cosmetic Dental Procedure
If you’ve recently had a cosmetic dental procedure or are considering one in the near future, it is important to ensure you are properly caring for your teeth once the treatment is finished.
Making sure you take the correct steps to practice proper dental care will ensure your veneers, implants or crowns remain vibrant and beautiful for years to come. Below, we’ve listed a few of the more common procedures and ways to make the most of your cosmetic dentistry investment through proper care.
Porcelain Veneers
Once porcelain veneers are in place, caring for them is not much different than taking care of your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing daily will help keep your gums free of harmful bacteria. People who have veneers should also use a nonabrasive toothpaste and invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush, such as Sonicare.
Don’t forget to schedule hygiene treatments a few times a year as well as regular checkups and cleanings. While porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, food and drinks with heavy pigmentation may potentially stain the veneer’s adhesive where it meets the tooth.
Dental Implants
When properly cared for, dental implants will last a lifetime. Unlike natural teeth, an implanted tooth is immune to cavities. However, just like your natural teeth, implanted teeth will experience wear and tear over time.
Aside from brushing and flossing as usual, you’ll want to schedule visits to the hygienist periodically to make sure no bacteria is developing at the implant site. At home, be sure to use a low abrasion toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. The best mouthwash to use would be a non-alcohol anti-microbial mouthwash.
Teeth Whitening Procedures
Having your natural teeth professionally whitened can last quite a long time, but may need to be touched up twice a year. Of course, your lifestyle will play the most important role when it comes to how long your whitening will last.
To make the most of your whitening, brush regularly with a whitening toothpaste and minimize your intake of staining food and drink, such as red wine. Smoking is one of the fastest ways to reverse the effect of whitening, so that should be avoided altogether.
Factors That Influence Cosmetic Dentistry Cost
With techniques being developed year after year, cosmetic dentistry has become a fast growing field in dentistry. However, cosmetic dentistry cost is not cheap. Many of these treatment options and techniques utilize highly advanced technologies which tend to reflect on cosmetic dentistry prices. On top of that, dental insurance companies do not usually cover cosmetic dental procedures, making cosmetic dentistry a doubtful dental solution for a lot of people.
Once you begin consulting with various cosmetic dentists in your area, you will learn that the cost of cosmetic dentistry widely differ from practice to practice. But before getting an estimate of cosmetic dentistry cost from your local dentist, understand why cosmetic dentistry prices greatly vary.
Cosmetic Dentistry Cost Factors
Share this Image On Your Site
The cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures are influenced by several factors.
Facilities and Equipment: Dental innovations offer greater comfort and convenience, as well as provide less invasive dental solutions, quicker treatments, and more accurate restorations. Because this advancement comes at a premium, it is then passed on to the patient.
The Clinic and Its Location: A dental clinic in an upmarket part of the city will charge more than a clinic located out of town. In addition, a well-established dental clinic with great reputation for high quality dental work is more widely known, and therefore, have higher cosmetic dentistry cost.
The Dentist and Their Education: Not all dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Just because a general dentist performs cosmetic procedures such as teeth bleaching, dental veneers, and Invisalign, does not mean that they are as highly skilled and trained as cosmetic dentists. The process of becoming an expert in cosmetic dentistry takes dedication, is expensive, and requires some time away from their practice. So on top of a more extensive experience, a reputable and highly qualified dentist will charge more if they specialize in cosmetic dentistry.
Dental Materials: Just as with other technologies, the cost of dental materials will factor into the total cosmetic dentistry cost. Top notch materials require extra costs, as compared to low-quality ones. For instance, to ensure proper function and look, a top-rate cosmetic dentistry clinic may employ a high-end dental laboratory to create the materials needed for the cosmetic procedure. Because of the quality of work and products used, increase in cosmetic dentistry prices naturally follows.
Extent of Cosmetic Treatment: Basically, if your teeth require more dental treatments and more than one technique, the more costly your cosmetic dentistry treatment will be.
Aftercare: Although not all clinics offer it, many dental offices will provide aftercare services that include follow-up consultations, exams, check-ups, and maintenance sessions.
All these factors determine and add up to the cosmetic dentistry cost. When you ask for an estimate from a qualified cosmetic dentist, the price should include a breakdown of these factors.
For a lot of patients, the price is often the biggest deciding factor when considering cosmetic dentistry. But while most of these procedures can indeed break your bank, you should not let the cost alone be your deciding factor.
Talk to Your Cosmetic Dentist
No matter what type of procedure you have done, your cosmetic dentist will help you come up with a proper plan to make the most of your investment and ensure you look and feel better between visits. If you are in the Scottsdale area and would like to learn more, get in touch with Dental Studio 101 at 480-488-4852.
