Alexandria, VA
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
While most people are not born with a perfect smile, cosmetic dentistry advancements can help people get the beautiful smiles they have always wanted. These procedures can correct discolored, chipped, misaligned, or otherwise imperfect-looking teeth. Patients can choose from various techniques to restore and enhance their teeth, gums, or overall smile.
Not all dentists provide cosmetic services, so it is good to research and ask questions before proceeding. Cosmetic dental care is available at Alexandria Old Town Dental in Alexandria and the surrounding area. With the number of options available, choosing a cosmetic procedure takes careful consideration. Call us at
(703) 763-1078
and let our team help you find the right treatment plan for you.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Care
Cosmetic dental care can have a greater impact than just improved appearance. According to a 2013 study, dental esthetics affect not only self-confidence but also social well-being. A smile is one of the first things people notice about a person. Missing, discolored, or crooked teeth can negatively affect this first impression. Cosmetic dental care is a popular way for people to boost their self-esteem and help them smile confidently.
Being primarily an aesthetic factor, cosmetic treatments allow patients to pick and choose the types of services that best meet their desired results. It also allows our doctors to try and achieve those results and work around any conditions the patient may have. Cosmetic dental care helps maintain the longevity of treatments and keeps the oral cavity healthy.
The Initial Consultation
It is important for patients to carefully research before choosing a cosmetic dental treatment and dentist. The best treatment option depends on each patient's wants and needs. A cosmetic dentistry consultation will guide the best treatment plan and set up realistic treatment expectations. As cosmetic dentistry is an elective treatment, it is also important for people to research the treatment cost and discuss coverage with their insurance provider. Patients should also consider the time and cost it takes to get the treatment, the number of follow-up appointments, and the required upkeep.
During the initial consultation, we work with patients to discover the smile they are looking for and address their primary concerns. X-rays provide us with a solid idea of the current state of the mouth and the treatments needed. We will also have a thorough discussion of the patient's health history and current oral condition, and conclude with a physical examination. After the exam, patients can hear our doctor's recommendations and ask any questions about the services available, cost, and post-care maintenance before deciding on a treatment. Upon gathering all important information, we curate a customized treatment plan for the patient.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry?
The cost of cosmetic procedures varies greatly from one treatment to another. Every insurance policy is different, and not all cover cosmetic dental care. Contact your insurance company to see if they cover any procedure, so you can plan financially.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Dental Care?
Cosmetic dental care can benefit many people with cosmetic dentistry issues. People with misaligned, stained, worn, broken, chipped, or misshapen teeth can find solutions through cosmetic dentistry. Good candidates should also take good care of their oral health by brushing and flossing regularly.
Can Children Have Cosmetic Dentistry Done?
They can! Children can benefit from more conservative cosmetic procedures such as bonding, braces, and whitening. Our doctors may recommend cosmetic procedures following an accident or trauma.
How Long Will My New Smile Last?
The answer depends on what procedure you choose. Permanency will depend on the service received. Some procedures, like professional teeth whitening, are less permanent and require upkeep but produce results that can last for up to a year, while other procedures, like crowns, will have more long-term use. Veneers can last for as long as 10 years but as few as five. Implants, when cared for properly, can last a lifetime.
Good oral hygiene and making regular dental visits are essential to maintaining results as long as possible.
How Do I Maintain My Results?
Home care and maintenance differ from treatment to treatment. For most cosmetic treatments, dental care and oral hygiene regimens are the same: brush twice daily and floss at least once a day, along with visiting the dentist for routine checkups. However, some cosmetic treatments require more individualized care.
For dental implants, brushing and flossing twice daily is crucial. Using a soft toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste, gently brush under, in, and around the implant to clean hard-to-reach areas. We also recommend using an unwaxed tape for flossing or implant-specific floss along with an oral irrigator.
For gum contouring and teeth whitening treatments, we advise patients to rest and avoid rigorous activity, including biting and chewing. The gums and teeth require healing, which may take up to a week. During this time, patients should avoid spicy, sticky, and acidic foods and beverages. They should also continue to brush their teeth two to three times daily and floss at least once a day.
Will I Experience Any Discomfort?
While some treatments can cause minor discomfort, most procedures will involve little recovery time. Discomfort level and pain will depend on the specific treatment received. Following aftercare instructions can help prevent complications such as infection.
Dental Veneers
A smile is a universal greeting of joy and friendliness. If you want to improve your smile, there are many options, including whitening, bonding, and veneers. Dental veneers, also called dental laminates, are thin overlays made of porcelain or composite resin that improve the appearance of teeth.
Porcelain veneers (sometimes called indirect veneers) are usually made in a lab, although some dentists have the skills and technology to make them in the office. They are very strong, especially after bonding to the teeth, and they do not stain easily. A considerable amount of preparation is required before porcelain veneers can bond to the teeth. For example, it may be necessary to reshape the teeth by removing some of the enamel. This is to ensure that the laminates can adequately bond to the teeth and to avoid having the teeth look too big once the veneers are in place.
Getting veneers is a straightforward procedure that can make a world of difference in your smile. Alexandria Old Town Dental carefully considers each patient's dental history, oral health, and esthetic aspirations before recommending veneers. If a patient wants veneers and is a candidate, we discuss the options and work together to create a treatment plan.
Dental Veneer Aftercare
Good dental hygiene is essential to maintain the appearance and function of new veneers. Brushing and flossing after meals and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups are critical aspects of proper maintenance. Skipping these steps can cause decay and cavities to develop between or under the veneer shells.
Veneers can also crack, break or loosen under pressure. Patients should avoid chewing hard candies, ice, or similar items. During the first few days after the procedure, patients should stick to soft foods and avoid consuming nuts, hard bread, popcorn, and seeds. Wearing a bite guard at night can help prevent grinding that may wear down veneers. We also recommend patients avoid substances like tobacco, red wine, and coffee.
Veneer FAQs
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 to 20 years. Composite veneers can last around four to eight years. Both types of veneers may need to be polished periodically to help maintain them.
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
The cost of these procedures may vary. While veneers are not usually covered by insurance, financing is often available. People interested in this procedure should contact their insurance provider to learn more. Composite resin veneers cost less than porcelain, but they will have to be polished and replaced more often.
Are Dental Veneers Permanent?
Composite veneers are not permanent, as patients can have the resin removed. However, porcelain cannot be removed. As the teeth are filed down to fit porcelain veneers, the patient will always need veneers or crowns.
Can Damaged Dental Veneers Be Fixed?
The porcelain in veneers can chip if damaged. A broken porcelain veneer can be repaired or remade. Resin veneers can also be remade to fix chips or cracks. In the case of a porcelain veneer falling off, our doctors can reattach it.
Teeth Whitening
One of today's most popular dental procedures is teeth whitening. From couples planning a wedding to job-seekers hoping to impress, people of all ages and lifestyles seek brighter smiles.
Professional teeth whitening is a treatment, or series of treatments, that our doctors perform in-office to eliminate stains and brighten yellowed or discolored teeth.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening In-Office
Teeth whitening at the dental office is the safest and most effective method of achieving whiter teeth. In-office whitening occurs under carefully monitored conditions. Teeth whitening under professional supervision allows for safe, controlled, pain-free treatment.
Professional whitening products use a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide than over-the-counter products. Thus, the whitening process takes less time to achieve better results. Treatment under our doctors’ care ensures that sensitive gums are not irritated during the whitening process. The results should be long-lasting with careful oral hygiene practices.
Who Should Get Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is best for people with moderate to severe discoloration and staining. These stains can occur due to aging, smoking, medications, and certain foods and drinks. People with yellow or brown discoloration on their teeth are ideal candidates for professional teeth whitening. Pregnant and lactating women should also not receive teeth whitening.
We do not recommend teeth whitening for people with gum disease, worn-down enamel, or existing decay. Cavities and damage will require treatment before a person can whiten their teeth. People with teeth that are gray or purple may not respond to bleaching. People interested in teeth whitening can speak with our team to determine the best-suited options for their needs.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Will Tooth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?
Patients may feel some temporary sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure after getting tooth whitening done. Some tips to reduce sensitivity are brushing gently and avoiding hot and cold drinks immediately after. Most tooth sensitivity will disappear in 48 hours.
How Long Does A Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Teeth whitening done in the office is the quickest method to whiten teeth. People can achieve much brighter teeth more quickly in-office because the concentration of bleaching solution is much stronger than other options. Professional teeth whitening requires an appointment.
Teeth can get three to eight shades whiter with several 30-60 minute sessions. Other tooth whitening treatments are available that can whiten teeth in a single two-hour session. People interested in teeth whitening should contact us for information about the available treatment options.
Is Teeth Whitening A Safe Procedure?
It is considered a safe procedure. There are possible side effects, though. The teeth may become more sensitive during treatment. Gums can become irritated from the whitening process. These symptoms should go away once the whitening products are no longer being used.
Can I Get Teeth Whitening If I Have Crowns Or A Bridge?
Whitening products only work on natural teeth. A person with implants, crowns, or bridges can speak with our team about maintaining tooth coloration across all teeth. People with previous dental work can still receive a whitening treatment.
Can I Still Get Teeth Whitening If I Have Other Dental Concerns Or Issues?
Our dental team can assess a patient's oral health to determine the right treatment course to get the desired results. Gum disease and tooth decay may need to be treated before whitening for the desired results. A consultation from our dental team will help you find solutions for good oral health.
Dental Bonding
Getting a Straighter Looking Smile
Nearly nine out of 10 people have a smile that is at least slightly misaligned. For this reason, many people seek teeth straightening for purely aesthetic reasons. People who want straight teeth for purely cosmetic reasons may want to consider bonding. Bonding has been used for years to alter the shape of teeth to make them appear straighter. Similarly, dental veneers can make a smile appear straight, and they tend to last longer. However, veneers are often a more expensive and invasive procedure that can not be reversed.
Dental bonding involves restoring a tooth using tooth-colored composite material. This bonding treatment can greatly enhance a patient's smile by improving or restoring decayed, cracked, broken, chipped, discolored, spaced-out, or irregularly-shaped teeth. It is also commonly done to elongate the teeth or change their size or shape. Many fillings today are done with bonded composite material as opposed to traditional silver amalgam. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. The length of time depends on the number of teeth being treated and the severity of symptoms. The teeth are slightly filed, then a liquid conditioner is used to help bond the composite material to the tooth. Once the material is applied, it is smoothed and molded to create the desired shape and mimic the surrounding natural teeth. A special blue light initiates the bonding process and sets the teeth.
Gum Shaping
At Alexandria Old Town Dental, we recognize the vital role healthy, balanced gums play in achieving a truly beautiful smile, which is why we proudly offer cosmetic gum shaping, or gingivectomy. This minimally invasive procedure is perfect for patients with a "gummy smile" or uneven gum lines, as it gently removes excess tissue and recontours the gum margin to expose more of the natural tooth structure. By creating an ideal proportion between the teeth and gums, we can dramatically enhance the aesthetic harmony of your smile, yielding immediate and permanent results.
Smile Makeover
A smile makeover is the process of improving the smile through dental procedures. A beautiful smile exudes confidence and can improve self-image. Fortunately, many options are available for people feeling self-conscious about the alignment of their teeth or the appearance of their smile. Our qualified doctors customize a smile makeover plan to fit your unique mouth. Smile makeovers are common before weddings or major life events, but there is no reason to wait for a special day. No one should be embarrassed about their teeth.
After examining the patient's teeth, we will develop a customized treatment plan to address their unique needs. Smile makeovers involve a minimum of two procedures. There are numerous treatment options to choose from, depending on the patient's issues.
Some of the most common dental treatments include veneers, bonding, implants, teeth whitening, crowns, and bridges. People who are interested in receiving a smile makeover should contact us to learn about the available options. A smile makeover can correct various cosmetic issues, such as gaps, stains, and crooked, missing, or uneven teeth. We provide comprehensive and custom treatments to help smiles look their best.
Smile Makeover FAQs
How Do I Maintain My Results?
The procedures in a smile makeover require regular oral hygiene care and may need maintenance over time. For example, teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. Patients will need touch-up treatments to maintain their results. While it is always important to practice good oral hygiene, it is especially important after a smile makeover.
Proper maintenance and care will help prevent future dental issues and previous problems from reappearing. Our team will provide patients with tips and instructions on how to maintain their new smile after. Tips for maintaining a newly restored smile include brushing and flossing multiple times daily and visiting the dentist for professional cleanings on a regular basis. Certain procedures require special care, so it is important to follow the instructions precisely.
How Long Does A Complete Smile Makeover Take?
Each smile makeover is customized to the patient. It depends on the procedures that are needed to finish the process. Many procedures can be completed in one or two office visits. It is common for patients to receive one or two treatment options at a single appointment.
Is A Smile Makeover The Same As A Full Mouth Reconstruction?
No, it is not. Full mouth reconstructions use many of the same cosmetic methods as a makeover, but it also consists of general and restorative services, such as TMJ or gum disease treatment. A smile makeover is more cosmetic-based and is a less extensive process.
Teeth can get three to eight shades whiter with several 30-60 minute sessions. Other tooth whitening treatments are available that can whiten teeth in a single two-hour session. People interested in teeth whitening should contact us for information about the available treatment options.
Is There An Age Limit On A Smile Makeover?
Adults of all ages can receive cosmetic dentistry to improve their appearance. Seniors who want to improve their oral health and maintain a youthful look often turn to cosmetic dentistry. Professional dental care can help maintain a smile at any age.
Will I Need Dental X-rays Before A Smile Makeover?
It is recommended that teeth be evaluated before undergoing a smile makeover. Dental X-rays help our dental team find tooth decay and cavities that will need to be repaired before getting cosmetic procedures. According to the American Dental Association, the radiation exposure from dental X-rays is low, and the potential for harmful effects is minimal.