Cosmetic Dentist – North Dallas, TX

Once you are under the care of a trained professional, most cosmetic dentistry treatments are safe for the majority of patients. However, not every treatment is right for everyone. That’s why your dentist examines your mouth ahead of time, giving you an honest assessment of which procedures may or may not be ideal for you. Some cosmetic services may pose a risk if there is an underlying health condition that isn’t treated first. For instance, placing a veneer over a decayed tooth can make the decay more difficult to treat later on. However, your dentist will plan to address problems like these before beginning your treatment.

If you don’t feel confident when showing off your smile, you could likely benefit from cosmetic dentistry. Stained and discolored teeth can be resolved with professional teeth whitening. Chipped and cracked teeth can be protected with veneers or crowns. If you are hoping to appear more youthful, cosmetic dentistry can help with that too. Bright, healthy-looking smiles are associated with youth, so cosmetic treatments can take years off your appearance! The best way to find out if a cosmetic treatment is right for you is to see your dentist for a consultation. This way, you can discuss a treatment plan that can best help you achieve your goals.

Something that holds many patients back from pursuing dental treatments of any kind is the fear of pain. Fortunately, we will always do everything we can to make our patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair. Most cosmetic treatments are non-invasive, so they don’t even require a local anesthetic. If you need to have your teeth reshaped to place veneers or dental crowns, the area will be numbed ahead of time. Some procedures can cause some residual soreness for a few days afterward, but this should be mild and temporary. An over-the-counter pain reliever and/or cold compress can help to reduce discomfort.

All cosmetic dentists have completed basic dentistry training and earned dental doctorates. However, not all general dentists have training in specific cosmetic procedures. Technically, a “cosmetic dentist” isn’t a specialist in the same way an orthodontist or a pediatric dentist is. However, many dentists choose to dedicate much of their continuing education to cosmetic training. For instance, Dr. Mitchel is a proud member of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and he has completed numerous national and international postgraduate courses on the latest restorative and cosmetic dentistry techniques.

Most dental insurance plans do not cover elective procedures since they are not medically necessary, and cosmetic dentistry usually falls into this category. However, your treatment may be an exception to this rule if it provides benefits for your oral health. For example, a veneer may qualify for partial coverage if it is used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by infection or injury. In cases like these, a cosmetic treatment used for restorative purposes will be covered by about 50% to 80%, but the exact rate will be determined by your particular policy. The team at North Dallas Cosmetic Dentistry will be happy to help you navigate your insurance plan so you can get the most out of the benefits you pay for.

The results of different cosmetic dental treatments can last for different lengths of time, and we’ll be happy to help you understand how long you can expect them to last and how to keep your smile beautiful during your consultation at our office in Dallas. Teeth whitening treatments can brighten your smile for between several months and several years, and cosmetic dental bonding can conceal mild chips, cracks, gaps, and stains for up to three years. Veneers, on the other hand, can last up to fifteen years before needing replacement. The best ways to ensure that your results last as long as possible are smart oral care habits like:

• Brushing and flossing daily.
• Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash regularly.
• Taking care to avoid aggressive chewing.
• Limiting your intake of stain-causing foods and beverages like coffee, tea, cola, red wine, berries, candy, and dark sauces.
• Wearing an athletic mouthguard or a nightguard to protect your teeth from injury. We can provide you with customized devices that provide superior protection at our office.
• Refraining from using tobacco or consuming alcohol excessively.
• Abstaining from using your teeth to open packages or bottles.
• Desisting from chewing on ice and non-food materials like wood, plastic, glass, metal, and fingernails.

Improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry can be a smart investment that makes it easier to feel good about yourself and leave positive first impressions that lead to exciting new opportunities at work or on the social scene. People who smile frequently are generally seen as more friendly, approachable, trustworthy, confident, and competent than those around them, which can make it easier to meet people, build rapport, win trust, close sales, and make friends. Achieving a grin you are proud to show off can also encourage you to practice excellent oral hygiene, which will help you avoid oral infections that can lead to serious overall health issues.