Cosmetic Dentistry
Get Your Perfect Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
While you may initially come to Southeastern Dental Care to explore options for a healthier smile – like general dentistry checkups or restorative dentistry treatments like root canal therapy – you may also be interested in exploring options for brightening up and beautifying your smile as well. With all the options available for cosmetic dentistry today, there’s no reason for you to be less than excited about your smile. Dr. Minh-Phuong Bui can put together a plan to completely transform your look so that you can look forward to showing your pearly whites off again!
Cosmetic dentistry can refer to simple treatments like cosmetic dental bonding and tooth-colored fillings or advanced smile makeover techniques like porcelain veneers. Some restorative dentistry treatments are also cosmetic, such as porcelain crowns and dental implants. Additionally, teeth whitening is a non-invasive, conservative option for improving the appearance of your smile.
When you visit our Lakeville dental office, your dentist will sit with you and discuss the various options for making over your smile. She’ll ask you about your goals and explore what specifically bothers you about the appearance of your teeth, using this information to make recommendations for your treatment. Once we’ve developed your cosmetic dentistry treatment plan, we’ll take you through the entire process as smoothly and comfortably as possible.
Dr. Minh-Phuong Bui enjoys nothing more than seeing the positive changes that dental care from our office can bring about in the smiles of our patients; we invite you to make yourself at home at Southeastern Dental Care.
Teeth-Whitening
This is by far our most popular cosmetic service, and the reason for that is simple: nothing makes a smile look better than pristinely whitened teeth. If your teeth look a bit dull or yellow because of your love for coffee or wine, our professional whitening treatments can break up those stains and help them shine again.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most comprehensive cosmetic treatments available today, and they are the best way to address a wide array of cosmetic flaws at once. With just one treatment, we can whiten your teeth, fix small chips and cracks, close obvious gaps, and even make slightly crooked teeth appear straighter.
Lumineers
Lumineers can be used to do everything from whitening your teeth to close unwanted gaps, all without having to modify your natural teeth. Lumineers are extremely thin coverings that are bonded directly to the teeth, and they can dramatically improve the appearance of the smile in almost every way possible. They are sometimes referred to as “no-prep” veneers because unlike with porcelain veneers, the teeth do not need to be shaped to accommodate them. This is perfect for people who only want a modest cosmetic improvement, or for those who want to “test drive” their new smile before committing to a more long term treatment like porcelain veneers.
Metal-Free Restorations
When you come to Southeastern Dental Care to have a tooth repaired, we won’t simply give you a metal crown that will instantly stick out in your smile. That simply isn’t good enough, and in some cases, it can even cause you pain because metal crowns can make a tooth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. We’ll go a step further and make sure your newly repaired tooth doesn’t just feel great but looks great as well. To do that, we will use metal-free restorations.
These all-porcelain crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays are able to mimic natural tooth structure in almost every possible way, including shape, size, strength, color, and even feel. We only use the highest quality materials from the most well-known suppliers such as Emax and Bruxzir. Not only do these restorations look completely natural, but they also won’t make your teeth more sensitive. Plus, they’re also ideal for patients who suffer from metal allergies, meaning even more people can now get the dental care they need.
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding can be used to fix minor cosmetic issues such as small chips, cracks, or gaps. It’s one of the easiest cosmetic treatments available today as it can usually be completed in just an hour, and it doesn’t even require a local anesthetic to be completely painless. For this, your dentist will gradually place layers of composite resin to your tooth and gently sculpt away any imperfections. It can be used to improve a tooth in a multitude of ways, including its shape, size, and color. After your doctor is finished, she’ll let you approve the final look, and then they’ll harden the material with a curing light. After that, you’re done! With the proper maintenance, your direct bonding can easily last for 10 years or more.
Gum Recontouring
Do you have a smile that shows quite a bit of gum tissue? Does it make your teeth look short and stubby? If so, we have a treatment that can address this specific issue. Using a highly sophisticated soft tissue laser, your dentist can gently reshape your gum line to reveal more of your natural teeth and give you a more aesthetic smile. Thanks to the precision of the laser, this treatment is entirely painless, and you’ll just love how much of a difference it can make for your appearance.
With just one or two cosmetic treatments, we can give you the kind of smile you’ve always wanted. A beautiful smile can do so much more for a person than simply make them look attractive, and that’s exactly what we try to do every day. To schedule a consultation, please contact us today. In addition to Lakeville, we’re also happy to beautify smiles for patients from Middleborough, Taunton, and Raynham.
SureSmile Aligners
Do you wish you had straighter teeth but don’t want to put up with the hassles and unattractive appearance of traditional metal braces? Ask us about SureSmile Aligners. This innovative orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear, custom-made plastic aligners to gently shift the teeth over time. They are both discreet and comfortable. Plus, because they are removable, you won’t have to worry about making huge changes to your diet or oral hygiene routine.
Smile Makeover
If your teeth suffer from relatively extensive aesthetic issues, come talk to us about undergoing a comprehensive smile makeover. This customized service uses a range of personalized treatments to help you achieve your ideal look. Depending on your needs, it might include any of the other services listed on this page, all performed in a way that aims to provide you with a natural-looking smile that lasts for years.
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Since your dental insurance plan most likely won’t help pay for cosmetic dentistry, you probably have concerns about how you’re going to fit the overall cost into your budget. Luckily, you have the entire team at Southeastern Dental Care to help! We’ll explain what cosmetic services are available as well as the costs associated with them, and we’ll work with you to put together a plan that will let you achieve the smile of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Which Cosmetic Dental Service Is Right for Me?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry can vary significantly depending on what kind of treatment you need. For example:
- Direct Bonding: Direct bonding is typically the cheapest kind of cosmetic dentistry. It can be an excellent choice for making small corrections, but it should be noted that the results may not last as long compared to other options.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is usually somewhere in the mid-range when it comes to cost. It’s highly effective for brightening your smile, but it’s also limited in the kind of changes it can make; if you want to change the shape or position of your teeth, you’ll need to choose another service.
- Veneers: Veneers tend to be a more costly cosmetic option, but this is balanced out by the fact that they can correct multiple problems at once and can potentially last for more than ten years with proper maintenance.
- Clear Aligners: Clear aligners are often the best choice for patients with unevenly spaced or misaligned teeth, but the treatment does tend to have a higher cost than other cosmetic services.
- Smile Makeover: Naturally, since a smile makeover is a combination of several treatments, it’s generally the most expensive option. That said, it’s also the most comprehensive and efficient way to make all the improvements you want.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be an Investment Worth Making
The cost of cosmetic dentistry can feel overwhelming when you’re just looking at the numbers, but it can help to think of it as an investment that will pay for itself in various ways. A smile that you’re proud to show off can do wonders for your self-confidence, and dazzling teeth make it easier to make a powerful first impression at job interviews and social events.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Cosmetic dentistry usually isn’t covered by dental insurance, but there are other ways for you to manage the cost. In particular, you might consider applying for a financing plan through CareCredit. Each payment plan breaks the cost up into a series of monthly installments that are easier to manage. There’s little to no interest involved, and you can choose a plan that’s suited for your unique budget. If you’re interested in using CareCredit to help pay for cosmetic dentistry, reach out to our team today.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
Yes! Cosmetic dentistry in Lakeville is considered perfectly safe when performed under the care of a trained professional. However, not every treatment is right for every patient. During your consultation, our team will thoroughly examine your mouth and review your medical history to best determine which procedure is right for your smile. If you have certain underlying oral health issues, you’ll need to address them before starting cosmetic treatment. Otherwise, specific services could pose a risk.
How Do I Know If I Need Cosmetic Dentistry?
Truthfully, almost anyone unhappy with their smile could benefit from cosmetic dentistry in Lakeville. For example, stained or discolored teeth can be addressed with professional teeth whitening. If you have chipped or cracked teeth, they can easily be fixed with dental crowns or veneers. There’s a cosmetic service out there for everyone! The only way to know for sure whether or not you’re a good candidate is by attending a consultation with your dentist. Based on their findings, they’ll recommend specific procedures to help you achieve your desired results.
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
It depends on the cosmetic treatments you’ve completed. Some will give you results that are naturally more long-lasting than others! Quicker treatments like teeth whitening and dental bonding don’t last as long as more extensive services like veneers. However, results from orthodontia like Invisalign and other clear aligners can potentially last a lifetime with proper maintenance. No matter how you choose to improve your smile, you can help your results last as long as possible by taking proper care of your teeth and gums. Practicing good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist regularly, and following a healthy lifestyle are great ways to extend the lifespan of your new grin.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
Many patients are hesitant to pursue cosmetic dentistry because they’re worried it’ll be painful. Rest assured – your dentist will make sure your experience is comfortable and relaxing. Fortunately, most cosmetic treatments are non-invasive and shouldn’t even require local anesthetic (i.e., teeth whitening and dental bonding). For treatments that require your tooth to be reshaped (i.e., veneers), your dentist will numb your mouth beforehand to ensure your procedure is pain-free. You may experience mild soreness and sensitivity following any cosmetic treatment, but it should go away with time.