Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry at MA Dental
What is cosmetic dentistry?
What is cosmetic dentistry? A lot of people ask us that question. From the word cosmetic, it means making something beautiful. When people seek our practice, they want to make their smiles more beautiful to ensure they are more confident. So, that is essentially the practice of beautifying something. We're starting with whatever base we have—teeth shape, color, form—and enhancing it, specifically a natural enhancement of what the patient already has. That's cosmetic dentistry.
How would I know if cosmetic dentistry is right for me or my family?
It's a very simple answer. It starts by you picking up the phone, giving us a call at (951) 467-4399, and we’ll be more than happy to schedule you for a free consultation. We can tell you if you're a candidate or not, and so can your family.
What is the difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry?
Before we usually get into cosmetic dentistry, the basis of what we do is general dentistry, which is the general health of your oral care. This means ensuring your examinations, x-rays, and cleaning are up to date, along with your gum health and the foundation. From there, we enhance the smile of the patient according to their needs and what best fits them. That's the main difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.
What's the difference between cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry?
Restorative means we're putting back what's missing or restoring, for example, a filling that is missing on the tooth, a crown, or a space that is missing. We're completing what is not there—that is restorative.
But in cosmetic dentistry, you're enhancing what you have, making the smile brighter by bleaching, changing the shape of the teeth, altering the gum line, and aligning the smile to fit best with their face and facial structure.
How can a cosmetic dentist fix my teeth?
We usually go through a series of examinations, x-rays, study model records, and digital scanning. We may do a mockup in the lab to determine your best treatment plan. We then bring you back, show you the results we came up with, and now that we're in the digital world, we can do this online. We can take a photo and video of you, showing your face enhanced with straight teeth, and also with cosmetic dentistry. If you are seeking prepless veneers or minimal invasive dentistry, it is absolutely doable, and we can show you in about 5 seconds.
Can cosmetic dentistry improve my smile?
The answer depends. If your teeth are set properly, clean, without cavities, in the right position, and as white as you'd like them to be, then maybe the answer is no. However, the majority of patients need some sort of enhancement, whether it's bleaching, making their teeth longer or wider, or shifting the midline of the teeth to match the midline of their face.
The majority of patients need some form of cosmetic dentistry, whether minimal or extensive. To answer this, we need to see you in the office.
How old should a child be before considering cosmetic dentistry?
An excellent question is how old a child should be before considering cosmetic dentistry. The most appropriate answer is when the child is done growing. For boys, this is around the age of 16 to 18. For girls, it's around 14 to 15. When they are done developing, all their baby teeth are gone, they have their permanent teeth, and there's no more growth, then we can consider cosmetic dentistry.
Is there any age at which someone is too old, or not well enough, for cosmetic dentistry?
To the first part of the question, I always think age is just a number. You are never too old to feel beautiful, confident, and smart. Whether you're retired, working an important job, or surrounded by family and friends, no one should feel like they can't smile just because of their teeth. As for being a non-candidate, if the patient is non-compliant, doesn't follow up with the dentist, or doesn't follow recommendations, then unfortunately, they are not a candidate.
What other conditions can be fixed with cosmetic dentistry?
The biggest thing people can fix with cosmetic dentistry is their self-esteem and confidence, which may not be a physical symptom but an emotional or psychological one. This is a major reason people seek cosmetic dentistry.
Other physical signs and symptoms that can be fixed include grinding teeth together, known as bruxism, where teeth may be short or worn down. When bleaching is not an option due to extremely yellow teeth, cosmetic dentistry can be very helpful.
Can cosmetic dentistry change the structure of my mouth?
Absolutely, it can give you a broader, more youthful smile. It can also change your facial structure when viewed from the side. It can enhance your confidence, which is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
When is cosmetic dentistry considered oral surgery?
When we need to trim gum lines, it may require a little bit of surgery. If the office is advanced enough, they should have a laser machine, which is blood-free and pain-free. Sometimes, if there's a lot of crowding or many teeth present, the dentist may need to remove some teeth. This also involves straightening the teeth without removing a lot of tooth structure or shaving down too much. I would always say the best approach is to start with a healthy foundation and proper tooth alignment, with cosmetic dentistry coming last.
What are the advantages and benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
The biggest advantage is improved self-confidence, allowing people to feel their best in years. You can secure a great job and be a very confident person in your surroundings. It helps you become the best version of yourself when you can smile. People without this confidence often have a guarded smile, feeling self-conscious about missing or yellow teeth. It's a great opportunity to seek help and improve your smile, and we can offer a free consultation.
What process can I expect if I get cosmetic dentistry?
It starts with a phone call. You can call us for a free consultation. We'll likely need to address the general side of dentistry first, ensuring your x-rays and cleaning are up to date, with no infection or bacteria. After that, we can check your alignment and develop a comprehensive cosmetic treatment plan for you.
What should I consider when choosing a dentist for cosmetic dentistry?
I always say you want to consider a detail-oriented dentist, someone who has done multiple cases. You should look them up on Google or Yelp, and see before-and-after videos. If that's not available, check for dentists who use the face app I mentioned earlier. We can show you your face in motion, with your teeth done before and after, using the most minimalistic approach ever. Please give us a call.
What anesthesia options would be available during a cosmetic dental procedure?
The sky is the limit during cosmetic dentistry, depending on where you are as a patient. If you can tolerate normal dental procedures, you'll be fine with local anesthetics and topicals. If you get anxious or have difficulty sitting, we have laughing gas, known as nitrous oxide, to help you stay calm and quiet during the procedure. Another option is general anesthesia, especially for extensive procedures.
Make sure to ask about these options.
How long will it take me to recover from a cosmetic dental procedure?
Not long at all. It usually takes a few days. You may be sore here and there, but it's not extensive surgery. It's simplistic dentistry done on a daily basis in many offices. So, recovery shouldn't take much time at all.
Will I need to follow any specific directions after cosmetic dentistry?
This will be on a case-by-case basis. Every dentist is different, and so are patient conditions. However, most patients will need some sort of guard or retainer to protect their teeth, especially at night, since grinding and clenching will remain. The foundation will be built to withstand these forces.
How can I schedule an appointment to discuss cosmetic dentistry?
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (951) 467-4399 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.