Cosmetic dentistry is not just about enhancing the appearance of the smile. At Brookwood Dental Associates, we provide cosmetic solutions that protect teeth and improve the overall health of the teeth and gums. Our cosmetic dentistry offerings in Lansdale, PA, are a part of the dental services that Brookwood Dental Associates offers to the public.
The Link Between Cosmetic and Oral Health Problems
Patients with crooked teeth often have trouble cleaning between them, which can lead to bacteria buildup. This can harm the enamel and gums. Covering damaged teeth with veneers or bonding can protect them from more chips and cracks. Whitening treatments can also encourage better oral hygiene.
Invisalign is a great option for straightening teeth. Aligning the teeth not only improves your smile but also reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Lansdale, PA
Our cosmetic dental solutions help patients enhance their natural smiles and prevent further oral health problems. Discover more about our treatments below:
Invisalign
We offer Invisalign, a modern orthodontic treatment with clear aligners to straighten the smile gradually. Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign is more comfortable and discreet. Patients can also remove their aligners to eat their favorite foods and thoroughly clean their teeth and gums.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin ceramic shells bonded to teeth. Dental labs craft them to match a single tooth’s desired shape and shade. Lumineers are a popular type of veneer made of a thinner material. Both veneers and lumineers can brighten the smile and cover dental injuries and crooked teeth.
Dental Bonding
Tooth bonding offers a similar treatment to porcelain veneers in that it can treat damaged and discolored teeth. However, bonding is a more economical option. Dental bonding is also quicker, although bonding results are not permanent. We often recommend dental bonding for patients with small cosmetic chips or cracks in their tooth enamel.
Teeth Whitening
Our dental office provides patients with in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatment. Professional teeth whitening treatments minimize tooth and gum sensitivity. Both types of treatments can deliver quick and brilliant results. Compared to store-bought whitening options, professional teeth whitening can whiten the smile by multiple shades.
The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Though cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, it benefits you in other ways, too. You can experience many positive changes with cosmetic care:
Mental and Social Benefits
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If your teeth are broken, stained, or worn, it can hurt your confidence. Poor dental health is linked to higher chances of depression and anxiety. If you hide your smile in public, it can make you feel uncomfortable and affect your relationships at home and work.
Cosmetic dentistry in our Lansdale, PA office can help you feel good about yourself again. When you’re confident in your smile, you feel more relaxed and friendly, and people notice.
A great smile makes you seem more attractive, successful, and trustworthy. It can even help you during job interviews or when asking for a promotion. Improving your smile can lead to better relationships, more opportunities, and a higher quality of life.
Improved Oral Health
When patients come to us with cosmetic dental problems, they usually don’t like how their smiles look. But these cosmetic issues can also affect oral health. A great example is crooked teeth.
Crooked teeth are harder to clean than straight ones. They’re often crowded or positioned at odd angles instead of lining up properly. Sometimes, it can be hard to get dental floss between certain teeth. Even with special dental tools, we may be unable to clean all the areas effectively. This means that no matter how well you try to care for your teeth, you’re still at risk for cavities and gum disease.
When the upper and lower jaws fit together correctly, the pressure of your bite is evenly spread across all your teeth. If your smile is uneven, certain teeth experience too much pressure. These teeth wear down faster, which makes them more likely to get damaged or decay. Restorative dental treatments can help stabilize them.
An uneven bite is also one of the main causes of TMJ disorders. If your bite is misaligned, the jaw joint doesn’t move the way it should, and the muscles that control it become strained and tight. Over time, this strain can cause damage to the jaw joint, leading to serious problems.
You might notice that your jaw pops or clicks. You could also experience pain or tension in your face and head, and opening or closing your mouth may become difficult.
If you straighten your teeth, it can reduce the risk of TMJ and infections.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
If you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Lansdale, PA, read the answers to these common questions:
How do veneers compare to bonding?
Both treatments address tooth gaps, misalignment, stains, and dental injuries but they differ in material and longevity.
Dental veneers are ceramic shells that a dentist bonds to the front of teeth. Tooth bonding treatment uses tooth-colored material we sculpt and cure to the teeth. Bonding treatment is more affordable than porcelain veneers but not permanent.
Can I whiten veneers, crowns, or bonded teeth?
Dental veneers, tooth crowns, and bonded teeth do not respond to teeth whitening treatment. These dental solutions are made of materials that a professional cannot whiten. But we can provide a new treatment if you have an old cosmetic restoration that has become dull over time.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign treatment can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. This treatment time will often depend on the severity of the tooth misalignment. Patients who care for their aligners are more likely to have a shorter treatment. We recommend that Invisalign patients clean their aligners. Patients should also keep their aligners in their cases when not in use.
Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?
No, none of our cosmetic dentistry options should cause pain. You may feel some discomfort as your teeth shift when you use Invisalign or some sensitivity with tooth whitening or porcelain veneers. Call us immediately if you feel sudden or severe pain.
What’s the difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile. However, many cosmetic treatments improve your oral health at the same time. General dentistry focuses on preventative care and maintaining your oral health. General dentistry treatments try to prevent the need for more intensive dental procedures.
How does cosmetic dentistry compare to restorative dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is more about looks, while restorative dentistry ensures our teeth work properly and stay healthy. Restorative dental care fixes dental issues that affect your tooth function. This includes treatments like dental implants, crowns, and bridges to restore damaged or missing teeth. It can improve the health and appearance of your teeth.
How long do cosmetic dentistry results last?
Cosmetic dentistry results can last a long time. However, it depends on the type of treatment and how well you take care of your teeth. For example, teeth whitening results can last about 1 to 2 years.
Tooth bonding can last 10 years. Dental veneers can last 10 to 15 years or even longer with proper care. Also, Invisalign results can last permanently as long as you wear a retainer after treatment.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
You are a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry if you are in good oral health. We don’t want to focus on cosmetics until we take care of your base oral health. We need a solid foundation from when we’re doing cosmetic treatments.
Cosmetic dentistry is not usually covered by dental insurance, too. We have financing options so you can get the smile of your dreams.
Renew Your Smile Today
Enhance the look and health of your teeth with cosmetic dental care. Contact our dental office today at 267-651-7247. You can also schedule a consultation with our team online.
Brookwood Dental Associates sees patients from Lansdale and Chalfont, PA. Please let our dental team know if you have any cosmetic concerns. They will be happy to start your custom treatment plan.