What about your smile bothers you most? Many of us dislike one feature or another that we wish we could change. From cavities to missing teeth, dental issues make us feel insecure and leave us self-conscious about ourselves. When serious dental problems occur, they may avoid friends and family or activities they enjoy due to embarrassment. Luckily, there is hope for better days thanks to the advances in dentistry that have made it possible to transform even the most difficult smiles.
If you are ready to create a smile you love, procedures like teeth whitening, dental bonding, crowns, and implants can change how you look and feel about yourself. Now is the time to learn more about the different procedures available and visit this Williamsport dentist for an appointment.
1) Complete Smile Makeover
Dentists offer smile makeovers for people experiencing several different oral health issues they want to correct. Services available include dental crowns, veneers, and bonding. Each session is customized to the patient’s individual needs and wants, allowing patients to correct the most troubling issues they experience as a result of their smiles.
Smile makeovers are performed in one or two sessions, depending on the requested services. Most require no downtime, so you are ready to live life when you walk out of the dental office.
- Dental Crowns: Placed over an entire tooth, dental crowns hide imperfections like tooth damage, cracks, chips, and discoloration. The crown is fitted and colored to your natural teeth and can be made from several materials, including ceramic, metal, and porcelain. Crowns restore aesthetic appeal and tooth functionality.
- Veneers: Dental veneers are thin, wafer-like shells placed over the front of a tooth to hide minor imperfections like stains or chips. Veneers look and feel natural, and with proper care, can last up to 15 years.
- Dental Bonding: Bonding works wonders to fix many dental imperfections, from misalignment to chips and cracks in the teeth. It is a quick, easy, pain-free procedure performed in the dentist’s office.
The above procedures are part of a smile makeover, designed to improve your smile and confidence.
People who schedule smile makeovers join a long list of A-list celebrities who’ve improved their smiles with this procedure. Stars including George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Zac Effron, and Hillary Duff are some of the famous names who’ve publicly spoken about their smile makeovers and the happiness it’s given them.
2) Dental Implants
Dentures were once the only replacement option for missing teeth. Sure, they sorted out a problem, making it possible for people to eat and speak clearly, but dentures didn’t look much like natural teeth, and could easily slip out of the mouth.
Dental implants are infused into the jawbone, and unlike dentures, cannot be removed. They look, and feel, more like natural teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.
Dental implant surgery takes up to one year from start to finish. The costs are not covered by dental insurance. It can cost between $10,000 – $25,000 or more.
3) Gum Reconstruction
Dental procedures focus on all areas of the mouth, not just the teeth and gums. Gum contouring is one of the non-tooth-related procedures cosmetic dentists offer their patients. The procedure is also called gum reshaping.
During a gum reconstruction procedure, dentists remove excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s surface, creating a more appealing smile. It’s often said to cure a ‘gummy smile.’
It is a non-invasive procedure performed with a laser or a scalpel, depending on the severity of the problem.
Patients often consider gum contouring procedures when their smile is uneven or they are unhappy with it due to the size or appearance of the gums.
4) Jaw Reconstruction
Jaw reconstruction is usually performed to correct congenital jaw issues and for those who’ve experienced severe trauma. This procedure restores the function, structure, and appearance of the jaw, helping improve the patient’s lifestyle.
People may require jaw reconstruction after car accidents, sports injuries, or slips and falls. People who have cancerous tumors removed may also require the procedure.
Jaw reconstruction requires several steps and takes multiple visits to the dentist.
Bone grafting is among the steps. Surgeons can use bone from other areas or rebuild the jaw using synthetic materials. It can take months to complete the grafting process, considering the jaw needs to heal properly between each service.
Does Insurance Cover The Costs of Cosmetic Dental Procedures?
Dental insurance typically doesn’t cover the costs of cosmetic procedures like those discussed here. The procedures are not necessary but are performed mainly for aesthetic value.
There are always exceptions to the rule, however, especially when a procedure is necessary due to a car accident, cancer, or similar problem. When dental issues are determined medically necessary, insurance may kick in and cover some of the costs.
Before scheduling an appointment with this Williamsport dentist, check the details of your insurance policy or talk to your agent. The policy outlines what is and is not covered, although your agent can also provide this information. When you know what is and is not covered by insurance, you save face and embarrassment since you know what to expect when you walk into the office.
Get The Smile You Want & Deserve
Life happens and sometimes, it creates dental issues that leave us unhappy with our smiles. Cosmetic dentists are around to help. Every day, they perform procedures like those mentioned above, satisfied they have made patients happy. When it’s time to correct imperfections in your smile, why not utilize one of them and learn firsthand how wonderfully they can change your smile and how you perceive yourself? Now, all that stands in the way of a beautiful smile is an appointment with the dentist. What are you waiting for?