Feeling good about your smile is vital to maintaining dental health and a healthy lifestyle. Cosmetic dentistry offers treatments that can adjust and revive the look of your smile.

Unlike corrective treatments, cosmetic procedures are not covered by your insurance provider. Treatments include teeth whitening, veneers and dental bonding.

Teeth Whitening

A bright, white smile reflects good health and youthful appeal. It also conveys confidence and success. Cosmetic dentistry Louisville KY treatments make it possible to correct teeth discoloration, crookedness, chips and other flaws that erode your self-esteem.

A professional whitening treatment can bleach your enamel multiple shades whiter. It takes just an hour in our office. You can follow a simple home regimen for long-term maintenance.

Dental bonding uses composite resin material to cover up craze lines, cracks and discoloration. It can even change the shape of a tooth to improve esthetics or accommodate a crown. It is a simple procedure that doesn’t require removal of tooth enamel and is reversible. Other common cosmetic treatments include dermal fillers and lip enhancements. These are easy, non-invasive and affordable.

Veneers

Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain or resin composite shells that change a tooth’s color, shape, size, length, or alignment. They are custom-made to match your other teeth, and they mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.

This cosmetic dental procedure is ideal for concealing small issues like misshapen or chipped teeth, as well as gaps or crooked teeth. However, it cannot correct major orthodontic problems and is not a substitute for treatment.

Because they are a permanent solution, veneers must be cared for properly to ensure they last a long time. This means avoiding chewing or biting hard foods, as well as using your teeth to open packages or chew gum. The teeth must also be kept free of stains by regular brushing and flossing.

Crowns

Whether it’s a chipped, worn, or damaged tooth, crowns are a cosmetic procedure that can dramatically improve your smile. They can also help to close spaces, cover staining, and change the size and shape of a tooth.

Traditional dental crowns are porcelain “caps” that fully encase the portion of your teeth above the gum line. They’re usually used on molars and can be very durable, but they’re also good for front teeth that have suffered trauma or decay.

All-resin and all-ceramic crowns offer an attractive, natural look that matches your teeth. Metal crowns are very strong, so they withstand biting and chewing without fracturing, but their metallic color may make them less attractive than other types of crown. They can, however, be more expensive than porcelain crowns.

Bridges

Missing teeth not only affect your smile’s appearance, but they can cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw and make it difficult to eat and speak properly. A bridge will close the gap between your existing teeth, restoring their function, improving your overall health and reducing the risk of future problems.

The procedure is typically completed in two to three appointments. During the first visit, the anchoring teeth are prepared by recontouring them. A mold is then made of the area and sent to a dental lab where the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be fabricated. A temporary bridge will be provided to protect the teeth during this time. When the permanent bridge is ready, you will return to the office for placement.

Implants

Cosmetic dentists use dental implants to replace missing teeth. They also help patients achieve a healthy and comfortable smile by addressing underlying problems. A comprehensive treatment plan is created that combines the most effective treatments for your needs and goals. This includes a full dental evaluation, taking into account your medical history and oral health.

If you are considering dental implants, it is important to understand the risks and complications involved with this procedure. Uncontrolled chronic conditions such as diabetes, long-term steroid use, and certain medications can delay healing and interfere with the success of your implant. You should also avoid smoking, as this can cause the implant to fail.

Prior to the surgical procedure, you will receive a comprehensive dental exam and X-rays. You may also have a dental model and 3D images taken of your mouth and jaw.