Have you ever considered what cosmetic dentistry could do for your smile? Cosmetic dentistry treatments are part of our comprehensive dental services in Longview, TX. We recommend cosmetic treatment for patients who want to fix imperfections for a more beautiful smile.
Cosmetic dental care can fix tooth damage, brighten tooth stains, and straighten crooked teeth. However, cosmetic dentistry treats more than just the look of your smile. Treatments that straighten, whiten, and enhance your smile also support improved dental health. When you get your dream smile, it can motivate you to keep it beautiful.
How to Choose A Cosmetic Dentist in Longview, TX
Your dentist’s skill and expertise will affect the integrity of your results. Successful cosmetic dentistry combines the science of dentistry with the art of aesthetics.
Our dentists have the experience to provide beautiful results with a smile makeover. We incorporate digital dentistry into treatment planning and dental care for more predictable outcomes. Our dental care team will educate you on your treatment options and what to expect from treatment.
We will be here to help, from the first consultation to your final treatment. Our office believes a well-informed patient can make the best oral health and wellness decisions. Our office also prioritizes your health. We always ensure you have healthy teeth and gums before cosmetic treatment. This way, you can have lasting, beautiful results.
The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
If you are in good oral health but have cosmetic problems, we will recommend cosmetic dental treatment. Cosmetic dental treatments provide many benefits:
Improved Confidence
Many patients feel confident in their smiles after cosmetic treatment. Where they may have covered their teeth before, patients now smile with their teeth showing around others. This boost in confidence can make a big difference in how they feel in social situations and can even impact their overall happiness and self-esteem.
Better Oral Health
Straightening crooked teeth can make it easier to keep your mouth clean and healthy. When teeth are crowded or overlap, it creates tight spaces where food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped. Even with regular brushing and flossing, it can be hard to reach these areas, leading to a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
When you straighten your teeth, you create more even spacing that’s easier to clean. It helps prevent plaque buildup and keeps your gums and teeth healthier.
Improved Bite Function
Crooked or damaged teeth can lead to what’s called a “bad bite,” where your upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly. When teeth are misaligned or have damage, they can put extra pressure on certain parts of your mouth, leading to problems beyond just appearance. A bad bite can make it difficult to speak clearly, chew comfortably, and even increase the risk of jaw pain or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
Smile Makeovers in Longview, TX
Dr. Chris Goelz can provide cosmetic dental services tailored to your needs and goals. We offer a complete range of treatments that can be part of a personalized smile makeover plan. A smile makeover may include one or more treatments based on your dental health needs and goals.
A stable, healthy foundation is essential to your overall treatment plan. Our office will first recommend general or restorative dental treatments to restore your dental health. Problems like tooth decay and gum disease can affect the fit of veneers or bonding and impact your tooth color.
Once you are healthy, we will begin the smile makeover process. We recommend a smile makeover if you are unhappy with your smile and want to change your look completely. A smile makeover can treat these cosmetic problems:
- Tooth stains
- Crooked teeth
- Chipped and cracked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
Our office will help plan treatment in the right order. For example, we often recommend that you straighten crooked teeth before teeth whitening treatment for the best results. No matter your cosmetic goals, we aim to provide lasting dental care that supports a comfortable, healthy smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Longview, TX
Whether you want to treat a minor cosmetic imperfection or need a smile makeover, we can help. Cosmetic dentistry care can include:
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening treatment offers a safe, highly effective way to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening works for most types of tooth stains or discoloration. However, we offer alternative treatments like veneers or bonding that address stains that are resistant to whitening agents.
Teeth whitening can help lift years of tooth stains in just one in-office visit. Our office also provides take-home whitening for your convenience. It offers reliable results compared to store-bought whitening toothpaste, pens, or strips.
Porcelain Veneers
We can place high-quality veneers over damaged, discolored, or misshapen teeth. Porcelain veneers can also treat tooth gaps and are highly customizable to your aesthetic needs.
Veneers are a permanent treatment for patients who want to cover one or all teeth in their smile zone. They are thin shells that we bond to the front of teeth. Compared to other cosmetic treatments, veneers can keep teeth straight and bright for years.
Tooth Bonding and Dental Crowns
Bonding and dental crowns can change the shape and color of teeth. Tooth bonding treatment uses tooth-colored resin to cover one or more teeth. We recommend this treatment if you have chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. Bonding is easily removable by our dentist and a more economical alternative to veneers.
Crowns are caps that fully cover teeth. Our crowns are metal-free and use materials like porcelain that reflect light like natural teeth. We recommend crowns if you have damaged or stained teeth and need strong materials to cover and protect them. Our office also provides crowns after root canal treatment, to cap off implants, and add to worn teeth.
Invisalign
We offer Invisalign, or clear aligner therapy, to treat mild to moderate orthodontic needs. Invisalign is an excellent solution for adult orthodontic relapse. It can also treat bite problems like overbites, underbites, and crooked teeth.
Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. You switch out each pair of aligners every few weeks. The clear aligners are more discreet than metal braces. They also provide easy maintenance because you can remove them to brush and floss your teeth.
How Much is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry can vary based on the type of treatment you need. Each patient’s needs are different, so the price can vary widely. For example, teeth bonding is generally one of the more affordable cosmetic treatments. Procedures like dental veneers or complete smile makeovers may cost more due to their complexity and the materials used.
Most cosmetic dentistry procedures are not covered by dental insurance. This is because they are considered elective treatments, meaning they are not strictly necessary for your overall oral health. Cosmetic procedures are focused on improving the appearance of your smile rather than addressing medical or functional dental issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cosmetic dentistry.
What are the benefits of professional teeth whitening over at-home kits?
Professional teeth whitening offers stronger, faster, and more consistent results than at-home options. Dentists use higher-strength whitening agents under controlled conditions, ensuring even coverage while protecting your gums from irritation. We can also customize the treatment based on your tooth sensitivity and desired shade, something store-bought kits simply can’t do.
Is tooth bonding a good option for closing small gaps between teeth?
Dental bonding works great for closing small gaps between teeth, especially in the front of your mouth. The tooth-colored resin material blends naturally with your existing teeth, and we can complete the entire procedure in one visit. While bonding may not last as long as veneers, it’s a cost-effective way to improve your smile.
Will getting cosmetic dental work damage my natural teeth?
No. Cosmetic dental work, when done correctly, should not damage your natural teeth. Some treatments, like veneers and crowns, require minimal enamel removal, but the procedure is safe when performed by a skilled dentist. Non-invasive options like bonding or teeth whitening do not harm the tooth structure. Proper care and regular checkups help maintain both the cosmetic work and your natural teeth.
Do porcelain veneers require special oral hygiene practices?
No, porcelain veneers do not require special hygiene practices but need consistent care. You should still brush twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste, floss gently, and avoid biting hard objects like ice or pens. Regular dental checkups help ensure the veneers and underlying teeth stay healthy.
Can cosmetic dentistry fix an overbite?
Cosmetic dentistry can improve the appearance of an overbite, but it does not correct the bite itself. Veneers or bonding can make teeth look more aligned, but orthodontic treatment, like braces or clear aligners, is needed for significant bite correction. A dentist or orthodontist can determine the best approach based on the severity of the overbite.
What factors determine whether a patient needs veneers vs. orthodontics?
The choice between veneers and orthodontics depends on the severity of misalignment, bite issues, and the patient’s goals. Veneers are best for mild cosmetic concerns like small gaps, uneven teeth, or discoloration. Orthodontics is needed for functional bite corrections, crowding, or significant alignment problems. A consultation with our office will help determine the right option.
Get Your Dream Smile
Do you want to explore cosmetic dentistry with our Longview, TX, dental care team? We welcome new patients and look forward to helping you meet your smile goals.
Contact our office at 903-662-7811. You can also schedule an appointment online. Let us know if you have questions about cosmetic care. We’re here to help.