Boosting Confidence and Oral Health with Cosmetic Dentistry

Nothing compares to the confidence that comes with a radiant smile. Considering we aren’t all born with perfect smiles, cosmetic dentistry is a helpful treatment option for many people seeking to improve their smiles. Not only does a smile makeover boost confidence, but it’s also a valuable tool in treating certain conditions that impact oral health. This article discusses the benefits of cosmetic dentistry, popular treatment options, and whether it’s right for you.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dental procedures are forms of dental treatment that focus on enhancing the appearance of the overall smile, including teeth and gums. Rather than focusing on maintaining oral health, such as in general or restorative dentistry, cosmetic dental treatments focus solely on external appearance.

While cosmetic dental treatments may not directly improve oral health, a smile makeover can motivate regular oral hygiene practices, indirectly enhancing oral health. Besides aesthetics and increasing motivation to maintain daily oral hygiene habits, a beautiful smile can boost self-esteem. Whether it’s smiling for a photograph or meeting someone for the first time, when you smile with confidence, you carry your self-image in higher regard.

What Are The Best Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

Enhancing a smile isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. While one person may want to address teeth staining, another may need adjustments along their gum line. Here are the most popular cosmetic dental treatment options, along with their benefits.

Dental Veneers For Chips, Gaps, Or Discoloration

Dental veneers are a fantastic option for individuals with damage, staining, or gaps in their smile. This treatment involves bonding a custom-made porcelain, zirconium, or resin shell to the front of the surface of the teeth. Veneers are permanent and long-lasting, making them a great long-term solution and investment.

Aside from repairing broken, cracked, or stained teeth, veneers can also be used to correct mismatched tooth sizes and gaps. This helps improve overall bite alignment, which enhances function and comfort.

Zirconia veneers are best for patients with advanced tooth decay or damage. Zirconium is stronger than traditional resin or porcelain veneers and typically lasts between 10 and 30 years.
Porcelain veneers are the most common type of veneer and can last up to 20 years.
Composite or resin veneers are less invasive than porcelain veneers and only require minimal enamel removal. As opposed to porcelain veneers, which may take several appointments to complete the procedure, resin veneers can be completed within the same day. Although composite veneers don’t last as long as porcelain or zirconium, they are easily repaired if broken.
Partial veneers only cover a small portion of the tooth as opposed to the entire front surface. Made from porcelain material, partial veneers are typically recommended for individuals with tooth enamel erosion.
No-prep veneers are a quick, easy solution for small chips, discolored, or misshapen teeth. These thin shells can be made from porcelain or resin and require little preparation before your appointment. Unlike the other types of veneers, no-prep veneers are reversible.

Dental Bonding For Minor Corrections

Dental bonding is a quick, convenient option to fix cracked or broken teeth. In addition to tooth repair, dental bonding is also helpful for filling in gaps. This procedure can help adjust the shape of your teeth for a more cohesive smile.

Cosmetic bonding is ideal for repairing discoloration or decayed teeth and closing gaps. If you experience tooth sensitivity, cosmetic bonding can be beneficial in protecting exposed roots, particularly when gum recession is a concern.
Resin bonding corrects tooth length and shape.
Chipped tooth bonding is recommended for patients seeking a quick solution for a tooth injury.

Teeth Bleaching And Whitening For Radiant Smiles

If over-the-counter teeth whitening options deliver subpar results, consider professional teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening is a more intensive approach to removing stains caused by everyday activities, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, and consuming red wine. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, teeth slowly lose their luster with age as the enamel thins, making teeth whitening an excellent option for anyone looking to brighten their smile.

At Midlothian Family Dentistry, we offer professional at-home teeth whitening treatment as well as in-office whitening.

At-home whitening treatment involves using a professional-grade whitening gel, along with on-the-go options. This treatment is different from over-the-counter methods in that you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of messy strips or trays.
In-office whitening treatment is instant and typically only takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
Over-the-counter whitening methods are available in specialized toothpastes and rinses, recommended by our experienced cosmetic dentists.

Gum Contouring For Uneven Gum Lines And “Gummy” Smiles

A gum lift isn’t just a confidence-boosting cosmetic enhancement; it also extends the life of a patient’s gums and improves their quality of life. Gum contouring is a great option for people who wish to correct uneven gum lines and lengthen the appearance of their teeth.

Want to lessen the appearance of a “gummy” smile.
Have bulging or excessive gum tissue when you smile.
Have an uneven gum line or the appearance of crooked teeth due to gum tissue.
Have gum disease or related gum issues that impact overall oral health.

Is A Cosmetic Dental Treatment Right For Me?

Whether cosmetic dental treatments are the right option for you depends on the issue and personal feelings about your smile.

Do you have any stains, chips, cracks, or misaligned teeth you would like to correct?
Are you satisfied with the appearance of your smile?
Do you avoid smiling in photos or when greeting people? Are gaps or uneven teeth impeding your bite function?
Do you have a history of gum disease?

These are important questions to consider when considering cosmetic dentistry. Whether you have just a couple of teeth or an entire smile you’d like to correct, our cosmetic procedures involve a wide range of options customized to your needs.

How Much Does A Smile Makeover Cost?

Like many other treatment options, the cost of cosmetic dental procedures depends on the specific procedure, the issue being addressed, and individual needs.

Teeth whitening or bleaching typically ranges from $300 to $1,800.
Dental veneers can range from $900 to $2,500 per tooth.
Dental bonding is between $100 and $600 per tooth.
Gum contouring typically ranges from $50 to $350 per tooth.
An overall smile makeover could range from $3,500 to $15,000.

While cosmetic dental procedures aren’t typically covered by most standard insurance plans, it depends on the issue. Some methods, such as bonding for chipped or cracked teeth, may be covered by insurance. Midlothian Family Dentistry participates with a variety of PPO and indemnity insurance plans. Contact us for a consultation to see if your insurance can help cover the cost. We also offer several financing options to meet individual needs, including Care Credit and Sunbit. After all, we believe cosmetic dental treatment is an excellent way to invest in your future self.

Smile Brighter When You Choose Midlothian Family Dentistry

When you choose Midlothian Family Dentistry, you choose yourself. We deliver patient-focused and gentle cosmetic dental procedures tailored to a variety of patients. Our experienced dentists receive hundreds of hours of advanced training and utilize state-of-the-art technology, including the iTero Scanner for precise impressions.

At Midlothian Family Dentistry, we strive to make our patients’ visits pain-free. While many cosmetic dental procedures are painless and don’t require general anesthesia, we’re recognized for our advanced knowledge in sedation dentistry and are happy to discuss a customized treatment plan to ensure comfort and minimize anxiety.

Experience the power of a smile transformation and book a cosmetic dental consultation today. We would love to see you smiling with the confidence you deserve.