Frequently Asked Questions 

They are the tooth replacement method that looks, feels and functions most like natural teeth. They allow you to eat, laugh, and talk naturally without slipping, sliding, or clicking, like most replacement methods. They also help maintain your jawbone, so your face structure won’t change.

If you are in good health, you should be able to get implants. Your dentist will determine your suitability by assessing your oral health and the quality and amount of your jawbone.

The success of implants depends mainly on the quality and amount of jawbone you have. If you don’t have sufficient bone, your dentist may first perform a bone graft.

They are made of bio-inert titanium (root) and ceramics (crown).

You need to take care of your implants the same way you care for your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and checkups are vital. With proper care, your implants can last for life.

Caps/covers placed over damaged teeth to restore and protect them from further deterioration. They could be made of different materials like gold or other metals, but porcelain is the most popular material due to their resemblance in color and texture to natural teeth.

Crowns that are designed, milled, and fitted in a day using advanced computer technologies, unlike traditional crowns that may take at least two visits to the dentist and several weeks for completion. The whole procedure is performed in-house, whereas traditional crowns are usually milled in an outside lab.

CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a technology that enables same-day crowns and other dental restorations. It uses CAD/CAM software and 3D digital imaging to design and mill crowns at the dental office while the patient waits, eliminating the discomfort and long waits associated with traditional crowns.

They offer all the benefits of traditional crowns, while eliminating the need to visit the dentist multiple times. This saves time, expenses, and the need to take time off work or school.

They fit just as well or even better than traditional crowns as they use accurate computer technology in every stage.

A smile makeover is performed to transform your smile and may include two or more of several cosmetic procedures like porcelain veneers, crowns, dental bridges, bonding, tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, and gum contouring.

The treatment plan is customized for each patient, and the time will also vary based on factors like the type and number of procedures and extent of changes needed. Some patients will require just one appointment, while others may need multiple appointments over several days. Some may even prefer to space their treatment over several weeks and months.

The cost will vary based on the type and number of treatments you get.

Cosmetic dentistry is not normally covered by insurance, but if a certain procedure addresses oral health issues as well, it may be. Check with your insurance company before you proceed.

Most people can benefit from a smile makeover, but a consultation with your dentist is needed to determine which procedures you may need. If you have preexisting conditions like gum disease or tooth decay, they will need to be addressed first.

If your teeth are stained or discolored by tea, coffee, wine, tobacco, food dyes, or medication, but you are otherwise healthy, professional teeth whitening can help you. Discuss the procedure with your dentist.

The procedure was designed for the tooth enamel and is not effective on restorations like dentures, fillings, crowns, bonding, bridges, or veneers. This means you may have to replace any restorations to match the post-treatment color. Talk to your dentist before proceeding.

The results are not permanent and may depend on the care you take. If you expose your teeth to colored/dyed foods and beverages, the results may not last more than one month. If you avoid such items, your results may last one year or longer.

Professional teeth whitening offers the advantage of significantly reducing the risk of damage to the tooth, gums, etc. Dentists use products that are safer and of a higher standard, thus reducing any chances of tooth sensitivity or root damage.

The treatment may cause tooth sensitivity and slight discomfort in the gums during or after treatment. These are usually temporary and will disappear in a few days, but tell your dentist so they can advise you on any precautionary steps.

Thin, durable shells made of tooth-colored materials and bonded to the surface of teeth, especially the teeth that show when you smile.

The most common materials are porcelain and composite resin. Most people prefer porcelain as it is more resistant to staining.

If you have chipped, worn out, gapped, discolored, misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped front teeth, you may be able to benefit from veneers as a smile improvement.

No, it cannot, as a thin layer of tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneers.

Porcelain veneers can last over 10-15 years if designed and placed correctly by an experienced cosmetic dentist and properly cared for by the patient. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits are musts.