Cosmetic Dentistry – McKinney, TX
Don’t Be Afraid to Flash Those Pearly Whites
Even if your teeth are perfectly healthy, your smile may still have some minor aesthetic issues that make you feel self-conscious, like stains or cracks. Luckily, Dr. Steve Cha and our team at Lake Forest Dental can make these flaws disappear with cosmetic dentistry. While we’ll never try to pressure you into getting treatments that you don’t need, we’ll lay out all of your options for improving your smile and help you make the decision that’s right for you. Call us today to schedule your consultation to discuss options for cosmetic dentistry in McKinney, TX!
Why Choose Lake Forest Dental for Cosmetic Dentistry?
- Conservative, Judgment-Free Dentist & Team
- Several Affordable Dental Payment Options Available
- Early & Late Dental Appointment Times
Porcelain Veneers
Have you ever wondered why so many actors and musicians always seem to have perfect smiles? It’s because many of them have gotten veneers! These thin, porcelain shells are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth, instantly covering cosmetic flaws like chips, stains, gaps, and even slight crookedness all at the same time. With custom-made veneers, we can give you a truly flawless smile in as little as two visits to our dental office.
Lumineers
As versatile and lifelike as veneers are, they require that the underlying teeth be permanently modified, making the procedure irreversible. For patients who are interested in veneers but don’t wish to sacrifice any of their healthy tooth structure, we offer Lumineers. These ceramic sheaths are much thinner than traditional veneers, allowing us to place them without removing any enamel.
Metal-Free Dental Crowns
If a tooth in the front of your mouth visibly needs repair, you don’t need to worry about having to receive an obvious silver or gold dental crown. Instead, we can fix your tooth without compromising your smile’s appearance by using dental crowns made from metal-free materials like ceramic. These crowns are personally designed to mimic the surrounding teeth, making it impossible to tell that you’ve even had dental work done.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
If you’d like to quickly fix a few tiny blemishes in your smile like chipped, discolored, or gapped teeth, then cosmetic dental bonding is an easy, cost-effective solution that can usually be completed in a single appointment. Dr. Cha can sculpt a tooth-colored composite resin to the area, concealing the imperfections. Because the resin chemically attaches to your enamel, the results will look and feel like a natural part of your smile.
Learn More About Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Teeth Whitening
Whether coffee, tobacco, medication, genetics or even age are to blame for your teeth looking darker, we can dramatically brighten your smile with Zoom! professional-strength teeth whitening. In just one hour-long appointment, this treatment can remove deep-set stains in a way that over-the-counter whiteners cannot. We can also provide you with take-home whitening kits if you’d rather brighten your smile on your own time or maintain the results of in-office whitening.
Gum Recontouring
Sometimes, a patient might be dissatisfied with their smile not because of their teeth, but because of their gums. If too much gum tissue is revealed in the smile compared to the teeth, it can end up looking off-balance. Luckily, we can fix “gummy smiles” with gum recontouring. By removing the excess gum tissue, the teeth will appear longer, and the smile will look perfectly proportioned.
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Are you stressed over the cost of your cosmetic treatment? Aesthetic dentistry isn’t usually covered by dental insurance, so patients are often hesitant to commit to treatment. Because everyone’s smile goals are unique, we won’t be able to determine the cost of your treatment until you can see us for a consultation. We have a wide array of cosmetic solutions and are happy to help you navigate the cost. For the time being, here are some things for you to keep in mind.
What Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Patients are usually trying to achieve a smile that’s straighter, whiter, or shaped differently. Here’s how some of our options can help with this:
- Direct Bonding – This minimally invasive procedure can be completed in just a single visit to the office, and it is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments out there. Direct bonding can correct many minor imperfections, like chips and stains. Depending on how well you maintain the results, direct bonding can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.
- Teeth Whitening – Teeth can become discolored in a variety of different ways, but with professional teeth whitening, you can see noticeable results in a short period of time. This is another more affordable option, and results last anywhere from a couple of months to a few years depending on how well you care for them.
- Veneers – Veneers aren’t the most affordable cosmetic solution out there, but they are the easiest way to transform numerous aspects of your smile at the same time. This includes the color, shape, and minor alignment issues.
- Braces/ClearCorrect™ – If you have alignment issues, braces and ClearCorrect™ are great solutions. They do cost several thousands of dollars, but they are great ways to correct crooked teeth and bite problems.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be an Investment Worth Making
Cosmetic treatment may seem like quite a commitment, but it is an investment that will pay off over time. If you are feeling self-conscious about your smile, making changes with the help of your dentist can lead to significant improvement in your confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, this can mean better relationships, a more vibrant social life, and a higher quality of life. To determine whether cosmetic dentistry is a worthwhile investment for you, take a look at the entire picture.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t typically covered by dental insurance, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re completely on your own. With our In-Office Membership Plan, you can save on certain treatments at our practice. We also work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. Talk to one of our friendly team members to learn more about your options.
To find out exactly how much you can expect to pay for your cosmetic treatment, schedule a consultation with us. We’re eager to help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
So, are you considering trying cosmetic dentistry? That’s great news – the field’s procedures will surely improve your smile! Still, you may want to learn more details about it first. You may not feel confident about your upcoming treatment if you don’t. Thankfully, the team at Lake Forest Dental is here to help: below are some answers to popular cosmetic dentistry questions. Reading them lets you confirm if our services are right for you. As for other details, just call our office our office.
How Do I Know If I Need Cosmetic Dentistry?
Generally, those not 100% confident in their smiles will benefit from cosmetic dentistry. Its procedures, after all, can fix a variety of smile flaws.
Take stained or discolored teeth, for instance. These often can’t be fixed with over-the-counter whiteners. However, professional whitening can get the job done right.
Similarly, tooth chips or cracks are also treatable. A trained dentist can hide such marks with dental bonding, crowns, or veneers.
Of course, the only way to confirm your candidacy is by attending a dental consultation. Our dental team can then suggest which procedures would best make your desired changes.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
You might worry that cosmetic dentistry services are painful. Well, there’s no reason to fear – dentists make aesthetic work as smooth and comfortable as possible.
For starters, most cosmetic work isn’t invasive. A dentist can easily make your smile look nicer without altering tooth structure. In fact, whitening and bonding don’t even require a local anesthetic. These two procedures only apply non-toxic material to your enamel, so they’re absolutely pain-free.
Granted, some cosmetic treatments are invasive. Crowns and veneers, for example, require prep work that removes bits of tooth enamel. Even so, a dentist will numb your mouth before doing such procedures. That means you won’t feel any discomfort as they work. As an extra insurance, a dental team can also sedate you to help manage possible pain.
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
In cosmetic dentistry, your new smile’s lifespan will depend on which treatments you receive. Some procedure results, you see, last longer than others.
With quick and easy treatments, results don’t tend to have long lifespans. The resin used in dental bonding can wear with time, and teeth whitening’s bleaching gel won’t prevent new stains. Consequently, such procedures tend to need frequent follow-ups.
On the other hand, more involved work has enduring effects. For instance, gum recontouring produces permanent results since gum tissue doesn’t grow back. Similarly, veneers and crowns are made of durable materials that can last decades.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Worth It?
Rest assured; cosmetic dentistry is entirely worth its cost. You’ll experience many priceless perks from its treatments.
Firstly, the results are likely to boost your confidence. That much is natural – you’re changing out a dirty, broken smile for a bright and shiny one. As such, you’ll feel less self-conscious around others and develop better relationships. You may even meet your new best friend or the love of your life!
A gorgeous grin could also help you out career-wise. Your smile is one of the first things people notice, so having a great one will improve your odds in a job interview. From there, you could land your dream gig – cosmetic dentistry would thus pay for itself!