FAQ
Cosmetic Dentistry
Q. What causes the discoloration of a tooth?
A. Tooth discoloration is a normal part of
aging. As people age, enamel wears down, and
teeth take on a duller appearance. Teeth can
also become discolored from smoking and
heavy consumption of coffee or tea. Other causes
of tooth discoloration include side effects
of medications (specifically certain
antibiotics) used during the developmental phase of the
teeth, an individual’s genetic makeup, and
excessive fluoride consumption (fluorosis, seen
in both children and adults). Teeth whitening
and veneers offer a cosmetic dentistry solution
for people with discolored or dull-looking
teeth.
Q. Are any
side effects associated with teeth whitening?
A. Dentists take protective measures to prevent discomfort during
teeth whitening procedures.
Typically, a protective gel or rubber shield is used to
prevent bleaching agents from
damaging gum tissue. The most common bleaching agents used
by dentists are approved
for use by the American Dental Association, ensuring safety
and effectiveness. After the
whitening procedure, you may experience minimal tooth
sensitivity for a short period of time.
Q. Does
teeth whitening work for everyone?
A. No. In
cases involving severe discoloration, teeth whitening may not result in a
bright,
white smile. Individuals with severe tooth
discoloration should consider other options,
such as porcelain veneers.
Q. Are
there special considerations for dental veneers?
A. The
factors to consider when evaluating a veneer procedure from an esthetic point
of
view include:
Your goals.
The color of your teeth. For example, most
veneers are ultra-thin and therefore translucent,
so discolored teeth underneath may show through. Your
dentist may recommend teeth
whitening first to reduce discoloration. Veneers
are fabricated to have a natural tooth-like
appearance.
Veneer color must match that of any remaining teeth,
and texturing may be applied to
veneer surfaces for a natural look.
The impact of your lifestyle and habits. For
example, teeth grinding and clenching may
make the veneer more susceptible to chips, cracks, and
breaking.
You should also consider the artistry of the
dentist who designs the specifications and
ultimately places the veneers. Veneer materials are
universal, but the artistic skill of the
dentist, as well as that of the lab technician who
crafts the veneers, plays a major role in
the esthetic appeal of the final product.
[Read more about dental
veneers.]
Q. How do
I know whether a cosmetic dentist is good or not?
A. One of
the first questions you should ask is what type of training he has for the
particular
procedures you’re interested in. Not all dentists know
and perform all cosmetic dentistry
procedures. As such, cosmetic dentists often involve
other specialists (orthodontist,
endodontist, lab techs, etc.) in treatment
planning and execution. It is important to know
exactly who will be involved in your treatment and
what they will be doing.
You
should also ask to see before-and-after photos of patients who underwent those
procedures. Ask questions about their cases and the
strategies the dentist used to improve
their smiles.
Q. What
cosmetic dentistry procedures are available for people who are missing teeth?
A.
Although dentures are not considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure, they
provide a
cosmetic benefit for people who have lost all or
some of their teeth. People who are
missing only certain teeth, or rows of teeth, may be
better served by a dental bridge or
dental implants. It is best to have your situation
evaluated by a dental professional in
order to establish candidacy for any of these
procedures.
Q. May I
choose to be sedated during cosmetic dentistry procedures?
A. Yes.
The level of sedation necessary for cosmetic dentistry procedures depends on
several factors, including:
. Your
health and medical history.
. The procedure being performed.
. Your dentist’s familiarity with
sedation modalities.
. Most people do not require a high
level of sedation during cosmetic dental procedures.
Q. Why
can’t smokers undergo certain cosmetic dentistry procedures?
A. Smoking
is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smokers also have an increased risk for
periodontal disease (gum disease), leukoplakia, loss
of bone structure, inflammation of
the salivary gland, and development of lung, throat,
or oral cancer. Smokers therefore face
an additional set of considerations when
exploring cosmetic dentistry treatment.
One restriction for smokers involves dental implants.
Smoking increases the risk that a
dental implant will fail to integrate with bone tissue
(osseointegration). Smoking also affects
gum health, and unhealthy gums can lead to dental
implant failure. If you smoke, you need
to quit before having an implant.
Another
restriction involves teeth whitening. If you whiten your teeth but continue to
smoke,
the whitening effect will not last as long,
because smoking stains the teeth.
Q. Are
dental implants suitable for children?
A.
Dentists indicate that implants cannot be considered until bone growth has
completed.
This typically occurs during adolescence, but may vary
from one child to the next. Implants
placed prior to bone growth completion may shift
out of place and cause severe problems.
If a child loses a tooth before bone growth has
completed, an orthodontic device called a
“space maintainer” may be used to prevent an
abnormal growth of surrounding teeth. Once
bone growth has completed, the space maintainer
can be removed and the missing tooth
restored using an implant or bridge.
Q.
What is the cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures? Will insurance cover
any of it?
A. Costs
vary widely, but you’ll find approximate costs in our articles on particular
procedures.
For example, in-office teeth whitening is
approximately $.
Usually
dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry. But some dental plans may
cover part of the cost of certain procedures, such as
crowns, especially when the main
purpose is to repair a structural problem that could
affect the overall health of your mouth.
Usually, functional and restorative dentistry is
covered in part by insurance, while cosmetic
dentistry is seldom covered.