Why You Should Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

If you’re not happy with how your teeth look, a smile makeover from the team at Grove City Smiles may be just what you need. Led by Dr. Michael Pappas, our dentists have years of experience in cosmetic dentistry and can provide the specialized care you need for truly spectacular results.

Whether you’re interested in veneers, take-home and in-office teeth whitening options, or any other type of cosmetic treatment, our team of specialists is here to help. Wondering why you should choose a cosmetic dentist for your smile makeover instead of a general dentist? In this guide, we’ll take you through the benefits of getting care from cosmetic experts.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry? Explaining The Basics

As the name suggests, cosmetic dentistry primarily focuses on cosmetic issues with your smile. This type of dentistry focuses on enhancing the overall appearance, balance, and beauty of your smile and your facial structure, too. For example, cosmetic dentistry treatments like teeth whitening may be used to eliminate stains, while procedures like veneers can help correct issues like uneven, misshapen, or imbalanced teeth.

However, cosmetic dentistry procedures can sometimes help with your oral health, too. For example, if you choose to get Invisalign to straighten your smile, this can make it easier to brush and floss between your teeth. In turn, this reduces the risk of common oral health issues like gum disease and cavities.

Unlike some other dentistry specialties like orthodontists and pediatric dentists, cosmetic dentists do not necessarily need to be recognized and certified by a board. However, dentists who specialize in cosmetic care can choose to join national organizations like the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED). 

What Can Be Treated With Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is concerned with aesthetic smile flaws. This means that it is not meant to  treat issues like tooth decay, infected teeth, or damaged teeth. Instead, cosmetic dentistry is primarily concerned with treating issues that make you feel self-conscious about your smile, such as:

• Tooth discoloration and staining
• Gaps between teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Small or misshapen teeth
• Irregular gum contours or “gummy smiles”
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Worn, chipped, or slightly damaged teeth

While cosmetic dentistry can be used to treat a wide variety of smile flaws, it’s not meant to treat issues like damaged teeth, missing teeth, or extensive orthodontic issues. However, dentists like the team at Grove City Smiles are often able to combine cosmetic procedures with restorative treatments and orthodontic care for a comprehensive smile makeover.

The Key Benefits Of Choosing A Cosmetic Dentist

Working with an expert cosmetic dentist for your smile makeover is worth it. Why? Here are just a few reasons why it pays to visit a dentist who has years of experience in cosmetic dentistry.

Experience with a wide variety of cosmetic treatments

Every patient is different. Your smile goals, your budget, your schedule, and your personal preferences for your care are unique. That’s why it’s important to choose a cosmetic dentist who offers a wide variety of treatments that will meet your needs. It’s best to work with a dentist who has experience in the following popular cosmetic treatments:

• Porcelain veneers – Veneers are very thin, tooth-shaped shells of porcelain that are designed to cover up your front teeth and enhance your smile. They offer excellent performance and durability, but require the removal of some natural enamel in the process.
• Dental bonding – Dental bonding is non-invasive and more affordable than veneers, making it a better option for some patients. This treatment involves applying composite resin directly to the enamel, then reshaping and hardening it to enhance the appearance of your tooth.
• Enameloplasty – Also called “shaping and contouring,” this is usually done alongside dental bonding. This process involves removing a small amount of enamel to remove flaws and reshape the teeth. For example, your cosmetic dentist may remove tiny chips or pointed teeth to create a more even, appealing smile.
  
  
• Gum contouring – Also called “gum reshaping,” this process involves removing some gum tissue to make your teeth look larger and more appealing. It’s often recommended for patients who have a “gummy smile,” which makes their teeth look smaller and less balanced.
  
  
• Teeth whitening – Teeth whitening is a fast and simple way to eliminate stains and yellowing from smoking, consuming staining foods and drinks, and other sources. We offer both in-office and take-home whitening at Grove City Smiles.
• Invisalign – While it technically qualifies as a type of orthodontics, Invisalign also has cosmetic benefits. It’s a great option for straightening your teeth, closing gaps between teeth, and enhancing your overall smile and your oral health, too.

Investments in modern tools, training, and techniques

Along with a wide range of treatments, cosmetic dentists typically invest in the latest tools to provide excellent care for patients who are interested in smile makeovers. For example, at Grove City Smiles, we have invested in a CEREC CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing) system.

This system allows us to create tooth-colored ceramic crowns and other restorations like veneers in-house, which dramatically speeds up the treatment process for our patients. Not only that, but the advanced digital technology used to capture 3D images of your smile helps ensure that you get exactly the results you expect.

Our dentists are also dedicated to continuing dental education, and regularly attend courses, conferences, and other events related to cosmetic care. Thanks to our expertise, you can trust that you’ll get the best results from your smile makeover in Grove City, OH.

Combine cosmetic dentistry with restorative care

Cosmetic dentists offer more than just purely aesthetic results. At Grove City Smiles, our team also specializes in restorative care, such as dental implants. For example, Dr. Lydic is a member of the International Team for Implantology, and Dr. Craig has advanced post-graduate training in the placement of dental implants, too.

Along with dental implants, we also offer a wide variety of other restorative treatments at our office, including tooth-colored fillings, ceramic crowns, dental bridges, and more. Whether you’re suffering from tooth decay, infection, or you’ve lost multiple teeth, our dentists can design a smile makeover plan that’s perfect for you. By combining restorative and cosmetic care, you can get a healthy, beautiful, and brilliant smile that will last you for years and decades to come!

Better overall patient satisfaction

Cosmetic dentists have a better understanding of what patients want from their smiles, as well as the tools and technology to ensure the best possible results. For example, most cosmetic dentists offer digital smile previews for patients.

In this process, photos and 3D scans are taken of each patient’s smile. Then, the dentist can create a realistic digital preview that will show how the patient will look after a treatment like teeth whitening, veneers, or Invisalign.

Based on this preview, patients can adjust their treatment based on their own personal preferences. For example, a patient could request a brighter shade for their teeth, make adjustments to the shape of a veneer, and much more. This helps cosmetic dentists create treatment plans that are more predictable, consistent, and meet each patient’s individual expectations perfectly. 

Cost And Financing Options For Cosmetic Dental Treatments

Since it’s primarily meant to enhance your smile rather than solve dental health issues, cosmetic dentistry is not typically covered by dental insurance. This means that you will have to pay for your treatment out of pocket in most cases.

The procedures you choose to enhance your smile are the primary factor when it comes to overall cosmetic treatment costs. For example, treatments like teeth whitening and dental bonding are on the lower end of the cost spectrum, while options like porcelain veneers and tooth-colored crowns are more complex and expensive.

At Grove City Smiles, we’re dedicated to transparency. Before you commit to a cosmetic dentistry treatment, we will present you with a full cost estimate for your care plan and ensure that you understand the cost of each individual treatment.

We also offer financing options for patients who may want to enhance their smiles right away and pay over time. With financing from Grove City Smiles, you can split your treatment costs into affordable monthly payments that are easier to fit into your budget. Just ask our team about your financing options during your visit!

Explore Your Options For Smile Makeovers In Grove City

If you’d like to boost your self-confidence and enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry, Grove City Smiles is here to help. Led by Dr. Michael Pappas, our team of dentists has years of experience in cosmetic care and digital smile design.

From simple treatments like teeth whitening to full-scale smile makeovers that include cosmetic treatments, Invisalign, and restorative dentistry, our dentists are ready to help you get the smile you deserve. Give us a call at (614) 350-5300 or contact us online to book your first visit at our cosmetic dental office in Grove City, OH.