Cosmetic Dentistry

What is “cosmetic dentistry”?

To put it simply, we believe that dentistry should strive to emulate nature in form and function, promoting optimal health and aesthetics. If this is achieved, cosmetic dentistry is not only beneficial to oral health but overall health as well - from systemic to self-esteem benefits.

From crooked and stained teeth to chips, gaps, and missing teeth, there is a range of cosmetic dental treatments that can address these issues and make you excited to smile again. Cosmetic dentistry can consist of one minor treatment or a range of treatments for others to achieve their smile goals.

Teeth Whitening

If you have discolored, yellow, or stained teeth, teeth whitening is a treatment that can be performed in the comfort of your own home. This treatment is great to prepare for an upcoming special event like a wedding. 

Typical whitening processes can be sensitive. In order to prevent this major side effect, we utilize systems that offer low dosage over longer period of time (ie overnight) to ensure safe and comfortable results. This treatment will gradually whiten your teeth each day over 2 weeks. You will be given instructions on how to wear your whitening trays and how long you should wear them.

Dental Bonding

Do you have chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth? Dental bonding is a treatment consisting of bonding a composite resin material to the affected teeth to alter their appearance. The resin can be shaped and molded to alter the length, shape, and size of a tooth. 

Composite resin is a tooth-colored material that can be used as an alternative to veneers to improve discoloration or cover up minor chips and cracks. This procedure is minimally invasive and painless. Local anesthesia is typically not required.

Enameloplasty

Enameloplasty is a cosmetic treatment that reshapes and contours the teeth. It is often combined with dental bonding and used to prepare the teeth for the application of veneers and dental crowns. Enameloplasty can reshape the teeth to create a smoother, more even surface in teeth that are uneven, bulging enamel, or chips in the teeth. 

During this procedure, the enamel is filed down and contoured until the desired appearance has been achieved. Since this is performed on the enamel where there are no nerves, anesthesia is usually not necessary.

Veneers & Lumineers

Veneers are shells placed on the front-facing surface of the teeth to cover up imperfections such as discoloration, chips, gaps, and unevenly shaped or sized teeth. The thickness of the veneers can be as little as 0.3 mm. The amount of tooth structure removal depends upon many factors including the position of the tooth, desired change in color and shape, and other orofacial design principles. Veneers can last for up to 15 years, sometimes longer if well maintained and cared for. Veneers are shells typically made of porcelain that are stain-resistant and leave you with a whiter, straighter, and brighter smile.

Cosmetic Makeovers

A cosmetic makeover is a combination of cosmetic dental treatments used together to achieve a patient’s desired result. Some patients may have multiple problems with the appearance of their smile, like discolored and chipped teeth. 
Some treatments are used in tandem to produce the best results, such as dental bonding and enameloplasty or enameloplasty and veneers. If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your teeth, contact us at Harbor Dental by calling (619) 786-2939 today. Schedule a consultation with our office to find out which treatments are right for you.

Can I Get More Than One Cosmetic Treatment?

Yes, you can get multiple cosmetic treatments if you have multiple issues with your smile, whether it be discoloration, chips in your teeth, orthodontic problems, or a desire to alter the shape and size of your teeth. 

The best way to do this is typically to get a cosmetic makeover, which is a personalized treatment that can combine multiple cosmetic treatments to produce the most optimal result and reach your aesthetic smile goals. 

Some treatments may be performed in a single visit, such as teeth whitening, veneers, or immediate dental implants. If you would like to correct chips in your teeth as well as whiten them, that can be done in a single appointment. 

By attending a smile makeover consultation, we can discuss what your issues are with your smile, what you would like to achieve, and what treatments would best fit into your budget and schedule. This enables us to take a comprehensive approach to your smile rather than addressing individual concerns separately.

How Much Do Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments Cost?

Cosmetic dental treatments can vary greatly in cost, depending on if you are getting a minimally invasive treatment or something that requires oral surgery. Factors such as the tools required to complete the treatment, how invasive it is, if any sedation is required, and how complex the treatment is will affect the cost. 

Teeth whitening, dental bonding, and enameloplasty are much more cost-effective than dental implants, veneers, and cosmetic makeovers. It also depends on what materials tooth restorations are made of. 

Porcelain is the most expensive but also the most aesthetic tooth-colored restoration. We can give you a more accurate estimate of your total treatment plan by coming in for a consultation.

Who Is a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?

A good candidate for cosmetic dentistry is anyone who is in good oral health and wants to correct aesthetic imperfections with their smile. To qualify for certain cosmetic treatments, you may need to have sufficiently healthy gums and jawbone support. 

If you have an inadequate jawbone, you may require a bone grafting procedure to be eligible for implants or dental bridges. However, most people are good candidates for teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers. 

We recommend that you wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth at night to protect your tooth restorations. You are also not a great candidate for cosmetic treatments if you are a smoker, because this causes discoloration, increases your risk of implant failure, and puts you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease. 

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and want to correct that through means of dental treatments, you are an ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry.