Studies show that only about 9% of the population is happy with their appearance, which means 91% would change something if they had the chance. For many people, the primary issue with their appearance is their smile. The good news is, cosmetic dental procedures can help resolve many of these issues.
Capitol Square Dental offers a variety of cosmetic dental procedures to give you the picture-perfect smile you've always dreamed of having. We can resolve a variety of issues including discoloration, broken teeth, chips/cracks, misalignment, and more. Once your smile issues are resolved, the team will work with you to ensure that your results last.
Here's what you need to know about cosmetic dental procedures at Capitol Square Dental in Columbus, Ohio.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is an area of dentistry primarily focused on improving the aesthetics of a patient's smile. This is also often referred to as aesthetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry at Capitol Square Dental
The team at Capitol Square Dental understands the importance of first impressions. We know that your smile is the first thing people see when they meet you for the first time, which is why we offer a variety of cosmetic dental procedures.
While the primary goal of cosmetic dentistry is to resolve aesthetic issues, some of the procedures also improve functionality and oral health. However, it is also important to note that some of the procedures do cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel. Before you undergo any dental procedures, make sure that you discuss the benefits and risks, as well as your expectations for treatment, with the dentist.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the least invasive of all cosmetic dental procedures and is used to resolve issues with discoloration. Over the years, your teeth become stained due to your diet, lifestyle choices, medications/health conditions, and more. These stains may be extrinsic, which means they are only surface stains, or intrinsic, meaning they affect the inner layers of the tooth.
This procedure involves placing gel on your teeth and then having you sit under a special UV light. One treatment will lighten teeth several shades and results can last for several months. Since the primary purpose of teeth whitening is to improve appearance, most dental insurance providers will not cover this treatment.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells placed on teeth to resolve discoloration, shape, and size/length of teeth. Veneers may also be used to disguise cracks/chips. Approximately 26% of cosmetic dental treatments involve veneers.
Typically, veneers are only placed on the upper front 6 to 8 teeth, since those are the ones that are most visible when you smile. In order to place veneers on teeth, the dentist must remove some of the enamel to create space for them. Once the enamel is removed, the dentist will put some adhesive on the affected teeth to secure the veneers in place.
Veneers will typically last about 10 to 15 years but may last up to 20 with proper care and maintenance. Since dental veneers are primarily cosmetic, dental insurance typically does not cover this procedure.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are used to restore the size, shape, and appearance of a damaged tooth. A crown may also be used with a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. There are several steps involved in getting a crown and usually requires at least 2 visits to the dentist.
Since dental crowns restore functionality as well as improve aesthetics, dental insurance may cover a portion of this treatment.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a discreet alternative to traditional braces for resolving a variety of mild to moderate malocclusions. It is a system of clear aligners, similar to a retainer, that fit snugly against the teeth, gradually shifting them into their appropriate positions within the jaw. In most cases, treatment takes about 12 to 18 months.
Some dental insurance providers may cover a portion of treatment with Invisalign since the results are more than just aesthetic.
Invisalign for Teens
The primary difference between regular Invisalign clear aligners and Invisalign for Teens is blue dots. The teen aligners have blue dots on them that fade over time if they are being worn as directed. This gives parents peace of mind about using Invisalign to resolve their teens' malocclusions. If the dots are gradually fading away, you can be sure that your teen is wearing their aligners. If, on the other hand, the blue dots are not fading away, your teen is likely not wearing their aligners as directed.
Smile Makeover
A smile makeover involves the use of one or more of the above procedures.
Who Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment?
Statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry indicate that these procedures are most common among the 31 to 40-year-old population. However, anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their smile should consider cosmetic dental procedures. That being said, if you have issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, those issues will need to be treated before moving forward with cosmetic dentistry.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
While the primary purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your smile, there's more to it. Many of these procedures have benefits for your oral and overall health. Some of the most important benefits associated with cosmetic dentistry include:
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Improves the appearance of your smile:
cosmetic dentistry can resolve issues with cracks/chips, misalignment, discoloration, and more.
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Reduces risk of oral health issues:
misshapen, misaligned teeth can be challenging to care for- cosmetic dentistry solves these issues, reducing your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.
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Improves self-esteem:
people who are unhappy with their smile often isolate themselves from others- cosmetic dentistry can resolve these issues, improving self-esteem and restoring confidence.
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Long-lasting:
results are often immediately visible and last for 10+ years with proper care and maintenance.
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Makes you look younger:
stains can cause you to look much older than you are- cosmetic procedures such as whitening, veneers, and dental bonding can help make teeth look brighter and whiter, as well as improve the size and shape of your teeth.
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Removes stains:
over the years, your teeth become discolored/stained- cosmetic dentistry can remove these stains.
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Improves tooth shape:
research indicates that long, slightly rounded teeth are more desirable- cosmetic dentistry can change the shape of your teeth.
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Restores damaged teeth:
a chip in a tooth not only makes it look different, but increases the risk of tooth decay in that tooth- cosmetic dentistry can disguise chips in teeth.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Dental Consultation Today
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, consider scheduling a consultation with the team at Capitol Square Dental. We have the experience and expertise to give you a Hollywood Smile.
Our Columbus office is located at 212 South High Street. We are open Tuesdays from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. We work with a variety of dental insurance providers. Unfortunately, many of these do not offer coverage for purely cosmetic procedures. However, we do offer financing options to help make treatment more affordable.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
The team at Capitol Square Dental understands that dental procedures in general can be confusing and many patients have questions or concerns. We believe that everyone should understand the procedures before undergoing them, so we are happy to discuss these questions/concerns at any time. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about cosmetic dentistry:
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Is cosmetic dentistry expensive?
Many cosmetic dental procedures are more expensive than general dental care- but it is an investment in your appearance as well as your overall well-being. Unfortunately, most dental insurance providers will not cover purely aesthetic procedures. However, if a procedure also improves the functionality of teeth, such as a dental crown, insurance may cover a portion.
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How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry varies depending on the procedure you need:
- Teeth whitening: $250 to $350
- Veneers: $900 to $1,200 per tooth
- Porcelain Crowns: $1,200 to $1,600 per tooth
- Bonding: $150 to $400 per tooth
- Invisalign: $1,200 to $8,000
- Smile Makeover: varies, depending on the procedures involved
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Can cosmetic dentistry fix an overbite?
Yes, Invisalign can be used to resolve mild to moderate overbites in most patients. The dentist will determine if Invisalign is appropriate for your situation.
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Can cosmetic dentistry fix crooked teeth?
Yes, Invisalign can be used to straighten crooked teeth. On average, treatment takes 12 to 18 months. However, if teeth are extremely crooked or severely rotated, Invisalign may not be the ideal treatment option.