Cosmetic dentistry is not just about enhancing the appearance of the smile. At Brookwood Dental Associates, we provide cosmetic solutions that protect teeth and improve the overall health of the teeth and gums. Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign help straighten and realign crooked teeth. Straightening the smile also helps lessen the chance of tooth decay or gum disease. Our cosmetic dentistry offerings are a part of the dental services that Brookwood Dental Associates offers to the public.
Patients who have misaligned smiles may find it harder to clean between their teeth. As a result, bacteria may build up and eat away at the tooth enamel and gum tissue. Covering injured teeth with a dental veneer or tooth bonding can prevent further chips and cracks in the tooth enamel. Brightening the smile with a whitening treatment also motivates patients to improve their oral hygiene routines.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Lansdale, PA
Our cosmetic dental solutions help patients enhance their natural smiles and prevent further oral health problems. Discover more about our treatments below:
Invisalign
We offer Invisalign as a modern orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to straighten the smile gradually. Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign is more comfortable and discreet. Patients can also remove their aligners to eat their favorite foods and thoroughly clean their teeth and gums.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin ceramic shells that are bonded to the teeth. They are crafted to match a single tooth’s desired shape and shade. Lumineers are a popular type of veneer made of a thinner material. Both veneers and lumineers can brighten the smile and cover any dental injuries and crooked teeth.
Dental Bonding
Tooth bonding offers a similar treatment to porcelain veneers in that it can treat damaged and discolored teeth. However, bonding is a more economical option. Dental bonding is also quicker, although bonding results are not permanent. We often recommend dental bonding for patients with small cosmetic chips or cracks in their tooth enamel.
Teeth Whitening
Our dental office provides patients with in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatment. Professional teeth whitening treatments minimize tooth and gum sensitivity. Both types of treatments can deliver quick and brilliant results. Compared to store-bought whitening options, professional teeth whitening can whiten the smile by multiple shades.
The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Though cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, it benefits you in other ways, too. You can experience a variety of positive changes with cosmetic dentistry.
Mental and Social Benefits
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. When you have teeth that are broken, discolored, or worn down, it’s hard to feel confident. A bad smile is linked to a higher chance of conditions like depression and anxiety. You can’t be comfortable and relaxed in public when you always feel like you have to hide your smile. It harms both personal and professional relationships.
Cosmetic dentistry gives you back that confidence and self-esteem. You’re more comfortable and approachable in public, and people can tell. People with an attractive smile are seen as more attractive, successful, and trustworthy. If you’re interviewing for a new job or promotion, you’re more likely to get it. Both your social and professional interactions can improve. Cosmetic dentistry can improve your overall quality of life.
Improved Oral Health
When patients come to us with cosmetic dental problems, it’s usually because they don’t like the way their smiles look. But cosmetic concerns can also connect to oral health concerns. One of the best examples of this is crooked teeth.
To start, crooked teeth are harder to clean than straight ones. They’re often crowded and they come together at odd angles instead of lining up smoothly. In some cases, you may not even be able to get dental floss between certain teeth. We may not even be able to access areas with specialized dental tools. Even if you’re doing everything right for oral healthcare, you’re still at risk for tooth decay and gum disease because bacteria and debris build up in these locations.
When our upper and lower jaws come together, the pressure of our bite evenly distributes throughout all of our teeth. If your smile is unbalanced, some teeth experience more pressure than others. These teeth wear down faster and are more susceptible to damage and tooth decay. Restorative dental services are often needed to stabilize these teeth.
An uneven bite is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders. When your bite is uneven, the jaw joint doesn’t track properly and the muscles that move it become tense and strained. This starts breaking the jaw joint down, with increasingly severe consequences. You may experience popping and clicking when you move your jaw, pain and tension throughout the head and face, and troubles opening and closing your mouth.
Cosmetic Dental FAQs
If you want to learn more about cosmetic dental solutions, read the answers to these common questions that many of our patients have:
How do veneers differ from dental bonding?
Both veneers and teeth bonding treatments address tooth gaps, misalignment, discoloration, and dental injuries. However, they differ in material and longevity. Dental veneers are ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of teeth. Tooth bonding treatment uses biocompatible material sculpted and cured to the teeth. Bonding treatment is more economical than porcelain veneers but not permanent.
Can I whiten veneers, crowns, or bonded teeth?
Dental veneers, tooth crowns, and bonded teeth do not respond to teeth whitening treatment. These dental solutions are made of porcelain ceramic or biocompatible materials that a professional cannot whiten. However, we can provide a new treatment if you have an old cosmetic restoration that has become dull over time.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign treatment can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. This treatment time will often depend on the severity of the tooth misalignment. In addition, patients who care for their aligners are more likely to have a shorter treatment. We recommend that Invisalign patients clean their aligners. Patients should also keep their aligners in their cases when not in use.
Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?
No, none of our cosmetic dentistry options should cause pain. If anything, you may feel some discomfort as your teeth shift when you use Invisalign or some sensitivity with tooth whitening or porcelain veneers. Call us immediately if you experience pain, particularly if it’s sudden or severe.
What’s the difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, though many cosmetic treatments improve your oral health at the same time. General dentistry focuses on preventative care and maintaining your oral health. General dentistry treatments try to prevent the need for more intensive dental procedures.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
The biggest requirements for cosmetic dentistry are good oral health and ensuring you have financing. We don’t want to focus on cosmetics until your base oral health is taken care of. We need a solid foundation to work from when we’re doing cosmetic treatments. Cosmetic dentistry is not usually covered by dental insurance, too. We have financing options available so that you can get the smile of your dreams.
Renew Your Smile Today
Enhance the look and health of your teeth with cosmetic dental care. Contact our dental office today at 267-651-7247. Feel free to schedule a dental consultation with our team online.
Brookwood Dental Associates sees patients from Lansdale and Chalfont, PA. Please let our dental team know if you have any current cosmetic concerns. They will be happy to start your custom treatment plan.