Frequent Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

Different dental practices will have financing and payment options for you. You will want to check with individual dentists. Some bill your insurance and if everything is not covered they will invoice you for the balance. Others prefer you pay up front and submit paperwork to your insurance company for reimbursement. Some dental practices offer payment plans and financing options as well. The good news is that financing does not usually have to be a barrier to improving your smile or dealing with a dental emergency.

Recovery time from a cosmetic dentistry procedure is going to vary, depending on what you are having done. Some procedures are so minimally invasive that there will be zero recovery time whatsoever. Other procedures may leave you sore and tender for a few days. At times, if sedation is required, you will need someone to take you home and stay with you for up to a day afterwards. Your dentist will provide you with detailed information about what to expect based on the procedure you are having done.

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 an aesthetic solution for people with discolored or dull-looking teeth.

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

One of the first questions you should ask is what type of training he or she has for the particular procedures you’re interested in. Not all dentists know and perform all cosmetic dentistry procedures. As such, 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.

Additionally, ask if the dentist is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Accredited members undergo extensive continuing education and rigorous testing to ensure that their skills using composite bonding, porcelain veneers, and other restorations and procedures are exemplary and worthy of accreditation status.

Although dentures are not considered a cosmetic procedure, they provide an aesthetic 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.

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.