What you need to know about cosmetic dentistry
A smile is one of the first things we notice about another person. It’s important to feel confident in yours. At Kensington Square Dental, we want our patients to smile and laugh confidently. We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to help you achieve the smile that you envision for yourself. Whether it’s fixing a chipped or broken tooth, whitening your teeth, replacing a missing tooth, doing veneers, or contouring a gummy smile, our dentists have the knowledge and skill to make over your smile.
At Kensington Square Dental, health and function are always our top priority. Having a beautiful smile is important, but having a healthy smile is even more important. We want our clients to feel informed about the procedures they are selecting and offer thorough consultations to ensure all your questions are answered. Before you even book your appointment, we’re answering your most pressing questions about cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services
What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover helps give your confidence back by transforming your smile through the use of cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers, crowns, whitening, dental bonding, and even straightening. Treatments are always personalized to your unique needs and goals. And at Kensington Square Dental, we always prioritize function and health above all else.
What Dental Treatments Can Provide A Nicer Smile?
Depending on your goals, many cosmetic dentistry procedures can help correct any concerns you may have about your smile. At Kensington Square Dental, we offer treatments like:
- Porcelain Veneers: enhance your overall smile with healthy teeth and minimal preparation
- Implants: replace missing teeth while keeping adjacent teeth strong and healthy
- Dental Bridges: replace missing teeth by fixing to adjacent teeth
- Dental Crowns: enhance your overall smile while protecting affected teeth
How do I know which cosmetic dental treatment is best for me?
The best way to know which cosmetic dental treatment is best for you is to chat with your dentist. During a consultation, we can assess your smile, discuss your concerns, and create a plan to give you the smile you are hoping for. We would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your oral health and cosmetic concerns.
Which is better, crowns or veneers?
That depends on each individual. Whether you should get dental crowns or veneers depends on your desired outcome, current oral health, and any underlying concerns. A thorough consultation is the best way to decide what is right for you. But to better understand the difference, we recommend reading this article. For more information about dental crowns specifically, we recommend reading this article.
What are dental implants, and who are they for?
For people missing a tooth or needing to have a tooth removed, dental implants can be an excellent option to replace the missing tooth. They look and feel like natural teeth, and can not only improve the look of your smile, but also improve the function of your mouth.
What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
There are many benefits to having cosmetic dental procedures done. For many, it can significantly boost their confidence and make it easier for them to show their smile. Self-consciousness about one’s smile can have a significant impact on someone’s self-esteem, which can have ripple effects on their life.
Functionality and oral health are other benefits of certain cosmetic dentistry treatments. From replacing missing teeth to fixing chips and cracks, the same treatments that make your smile look nicer also help your oral health. In fact, at Kensington Square Dental, we always prioritize functionality with our cosmetic practices.
The Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
What is the cost for cosmetic dentistry?
The cost for cosmetic dental treatments varies, but to give you an idea, a single crown starts at $1700, and implants can range from $4000 to $6000. To get an accurate cost estimate, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with your dentist.
There are strategies for making cosmetic dental care more affordable. In this article, we used dental implants as an example of how certain treatments can be made more financially accessible.
How long do results last?
Some cosmetic dental procedures, like dental implants, are more permanent (typically lasting 15+ years), whereas procedures like teeth whitening will need to be redone annually. With procedures like porcelain veneers, the lifecycle can be extended by how well you care for your teeth, but they typically last 5+ years.
Will my dental benefits cover cosmetic dentistry?
Some insurance companies will cover cosmetic dental treatments if there is a demonstrable functional or health benefit to the procedure. For instance, a dental implant, crown, or bridge will help improve the look of your smile and enhance functionality, and may therefore be eligible for coverage. Every insurance plan is different, and we recommend consulting your provider before scheduling your treatment to be certain coverage is available. The administration team at Kensington Square Dental is always happy to help our patients with this process.
The Importance of Function in Cosmetic Dentistry
Is cosmetic dentistry safe for my oral health?
Done right, cosmetic dentistry is generally safe for your oral health. At Kensington Square Dental, we always prioritize health and function over aesthetics. If you feel self-conscious about your smile and would like to discuss your smile makeover options, we would be happy to schedule a consultation with you.
Can cosmetic dentistry fix my smile?
Cosmetic dentistry can help fix discoloured, crooked, chipped, missing teeth, and help correct a gummy smile. We’ve helped many clients improve the look and function of their smile, and we are confident we can help you, too. To get the best answer about whether or not cosmetic dentistry can fix your smile–and what procedures are best suited for you–the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with your dentist.
A Natural-Looking Smile
Is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening can be done safely, though there are some risks, particularly with at-home whitening kits. One of the largest risks is weakening of the tooth enamel. If you are unsure which whitening option is best for you, it is best to talk to your dentist.
How can I fix a gummy smile? Does a gummy smile require surgery?
A gummy smile can often be corrected rather easily with laser gum contouring. At Kensington Square Dental, we do free gingival gum grafts and connective tissue gum grafts. If you feel self-conscious about a gummy smile, we would be happy to sit down with you for a consultation and discuss your options.
Will veneers look natural? Will dental crowns look natural?
Veneers and dental crowns can be made to look very natural. Our aim at Kensington Square Dental is to enhance your smile with straighter, whiter teeth that look and feel natural.
Cosmetic Dentistry And Dental Anxiety
How can I get cosmetic dentistry if I have dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a very real experience, and at Kensington Square Dental, we work with our clients to make their experience comfortable. We offer sedation dentistry for many procedures and would be happy to discuss options with you during a consultation.
What is the recovery time for cosmetic dentistry procedures?
The recovery time for cosmetic dental treatments will vary depending on the treatment and how well you adhere to the prescribed aftercare. Treatments like veneers have little downtime, but may take 1-2 weeks to settle, whereas gum contouring will take a little longer to fully heal. We are able to go into more detail about recovery during a consultation.
Can I be sedated for cosmetic dental procedures?
Yes! At Kensington Square Dental, we offer sedation dentistry for most cosmetic dental procedures. If you would like to be sedated during your procedure, it is best to discuss it with your dentist during your consultation.
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with one of our dentists at Kensington Square Dental to see which treatment options can give you the smile makeover you envision, please contact us today.