Stained teeth are one of the most common cosmetic issues. Stains can happen due to aging, tobacco use, drinking coffee and tea, and lots of other lifestyle factors. However, they also can usually be easily reversed with teeth whitening in Nassau Bay.
To begin your consultation, you’ll meet with Dr. Liel Allon and discuss your smile. What do you like? What makes you self-conscious? What do you want to improve? What’s your budget? Answering these questions helps Dr. Allon learn more about you, and pick the right cosmetic treatments for your own unique situation.
Next, Dr. Allon will perform a comprehensive oral exam. She will make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for cosmetic treatment. If she notices any oral health issues, she’ll recommend the appropriate treatments to restore your oral health.
Together, you and Dr. Allon will come up with a customized treatment plan that will fit your needs, your oral health, your budget, and your schedule. Your treatment could include teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding, Invisalign, and more.
Once you’ve come up with your treatment plan, you’ll schedule your follow-up consultations with our team. Then, just come to our office as scheduled to get the care you need for a picture-perfect smile.
Take-home teeth whitening is a great option if you’ve got a busy schedule and you want to whiten your teeth on your terms. First, you’ll come to our office for a consultation with Dr. Allon. She’ll take molds of your teeth then work with a dental lab to create a set of custom whitening trays.
Once these trays are done, you’ll come back to our office to pick them up. She will also give you a set of whitening products and instructions on how to use them. Follow these instructions to get professional-grade results in the comfort of your own home. You’ll usually whiten your teeth for about an hour per day for 2-3 weeks, but this may vary.
In-office teeth whitening is a great option if you need fast results for a special occasion like a wedding, graduation, business conference, or photo shoot. At your appointment, Dr. Allon will begin by protecting your gums with a special liquid, and using retractors to keep your lips, tongue, and cheeks away from your teeth.
Then, she will apply a powerful whitener and activate it with a UV light. After a few minutes, she will rinse the whitener away, check your teeth, and repeat this process. This continues until your teeth reach their desired brightness. Most treatments take one appointment, but patients with severe stains or sensitive teeth may need multiple whitening appointments at our office.
Dental bonding uses a special tooth-colored dental resin, that is applied directly to your tooth during treatment. Your dentist will shape and sculpt this resin to correct the shape of your tooth, restoring the look and functionality of your smile. This procedure typically takes only 30-60 minutes per tooth, and is completely non-invasive.
Shaping & contouring (enameloplasty) is also often used alongside bonding. In this process, a thin layer of enamel is removed from uneven teeth or teeth with imperfections like points or minor chipping. This provides you with a more even, appealing smile.
Veneers are tooth-shaped dental prostheses that cover the front surfaces of your teeth. These thin shells of porcelain allow you to treat small gaps between teeth, severe staining, misshapen or uneven teeth, and much more. They are very durable and long-lasting, and can completely transform your smile. However, they are permanent and cannot be removed. This is because they require the removal of some of your natural enamel, which is an irreversible process.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic aligners that gradually shift the teeth to a corrected position. There are a few Invisalign systems that can treat anything from simple to complex cases. Of course, treatment times are dependent on your specific needs and your diligence with wearing your aligners, but it’s not uncommon for treatment to be completed in about a year.
Not sure if any of the above treatments are right for you, or think you may need multiple treatments to restore your smile? Ask your dentist about a cosmetic dental makeover.
A cosmetic dental makeover is a customized, multi-treatment plan that’s designed to treat and address every issue you may have with your smile. The process is different for each patient, and often involves multiple cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. But the goal for every patient is to have them feeling proud of their smiles after all procedures are complete.
Teeth can be brightened up to 10 shades in a single in-office teeth whitening session. It’s also the most popular cosmetic dental treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry can solve just about any dental issue that’s related to the appearance of your teeth. Teeth whitening is obviously used to treat stained teeth and can help you look younger. Bonding, shaping, and contouring can repair misshapen and uneven teeth, or treat minor tooth damage, such as chips or breaks. Dental crowns are occasionally used for cosmetic purposes, too. Treatments as versatile as veneers or Lumineers can often be used to treat all the previously mentioned issues as well as correcting gaps between teeth, more severe tooth staining, and slightly crooked or crowded teeth.
As long as your teeth and gums are healthy and you’re free of any major orthodontic issues, you’re likely a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry.
Oppositely, cosmetic treatment is not right for you if you have oral health problems like gum disease or cavities, or if you have major issues with the alignment of your teeth or jaw. You’ll need restorative care or orthodontic treatment to resolve these problems before you can get cosmetic dental treatment. But often, restorative care and orthodontics can give you a healthier and more beautiful smile.
Yes. While this does depend on the type of treatment that’s right for you, it’s quite common to have multiple cosmetic dental procedures done at the same time. Dental bonding and enameloplasty, for example, are often done in the same appointment. Ask your Nassau Bay dentist for more information, and to find out if you can have multiple procedures done at once.
It’s rare for cosmetic dentistry to be covered by dental insurance. These procedures are often listed as elective and not necessary to the health of your smile. In some cases, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost of treatments like cosmetic crowns or veneers, but this is not common. In most cases, you will need to pay for treatment out-of-pocket. Contact your insurer for more details on your dental insurance coverage. Then contact our practice to see if we have any available discounts or payment plans to help you cover treatment.
Cosmetic treatments and restorative dentistry are often used in combination to transform patients’ smiles.