Cosmetic dentistry is not the same as general dentistry, though it’s rare to find a cosmetic dentist who doesn’t offer both services. While every cosmetic dentist must be a general dentist first, the purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to find ways to make your smile look more beautiful. Healthy teeth do not always look great on their own. For example, there are several conditions that don’t harm your teeth, but they don’t look very attractive, either. Intrinsic and extrinsic staining, enamel erosion, gaps in your teeth—the list goes on. A good cosmetic dentist is one who will protect your oral health while giving you a smile you’ll want to show off!

Do you need a dentist? Grant Park dentist Abbey Lee provides general and cosmetic dentistry for your every need. Call 404-328-7177 to meet your Grant Park dentist.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Most cosmetic treatments are not covered by dental insurance plans. There are exceptions, and different plans provide different levels of coverage. There are cases when a usually-cosmetic treatment may be covered if it benefits your oral health, as in the case of dental bonding to cover structural damage. If your old metal fillings are due to be replaced, white fillings are usually covered. Adult orthodontics may also be covered by certain plans, as well. If you are interested is a specific treatment, we can do the legwork to check with your provider to find out whether you would be covered.

If you are not covered, there are other ways we can help make cosmetic treatments affordable. CareCredit financing is a great option for many patients, as it can be used to pay for any medical or dental services.

Q: How long do cosmetic treatments last? Are they permanent?

Most cosmetic treatments do not last forever and their estimated lifespans that will be explained during treatment planning. A few treatments only need to be done once, such as orthodontics or gum reshaping. However, whitening, veneers, and dental bonding will need to be replaced or redone after a certain period of time. How long your results last depends heavily on how you use your teeth. There are ways to protect your cosmetic dentistry investment with careful use, such as avoiding staining foods and beverages after whitening treatments.

Q: How is teeth whitening safe? Doesn’t bleaching damage your enamel?

No good dentist would provide a cosmetic treatment if it wasn’t 100 percent safe for your teeth and gums. When it comes to whitening, the term “bleaching” may sound a bit scary and make you think of caustic household chemicals. We do not apply any substances to the teeth that damage the enamel. Rather, we apply a gel that breaks down pigment stains that have accumulated in the enamel over a number of years. Constant use of whitening gels can most definitely damage your teeth, but intermittent use does not pose a danger to healthy teeth.

Q: What if I don’t like my results? Are treatments reversible?

This question depends on what sort of treatment you are considering. Whitening treatments cannot be reversed, but over time the results will fade as your teeth become stained again. Porcelain veneers cannot be reversed either, which is why we are careful to make sure you like the veneers before we bond them permanently to the teeth.

The best way to make sure you will be happy with your cosmetic dentistry treatments is to communicate your expectations with your provider. The more we know about what you like and don’t like, the better we’ll be able to serve you.

Q: I like the idea of veneers, but I’m not sure I want to permanently alter my natural teeth. Is there anything else that gives a similar result?

Many patients with reservations regarding veneers can benefit from a treatment called Snap On Smiles. Veneers produce beautiful results, but they do cost a lot more than other treatments and they are not reversible. Snap On Smiles is a “removable veneers” that is customized to fit your teeth. Because they snap in and out of place, you don’t have to wear them all the time, and they do not affect your natural teeth.

Visit our office to learn more about cosmetic treatments with Grant Park dentist Abbey Lee. We are committed to providing cutting edge dentistry for our patients—and want you to love your smile! Call us at 404-328-7177 for a great Grant Park dentist.