Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
When considering cosmetic dentistry, be sure you understand the following common questions patients have. Knowing how cosmetic dentistry can affect you will help you choose the cosmetic dentist that is right for you.
Cosmetic dentistry transforms your teeth to their ideal size, shape and color. Improve the appearance of your smile by correcting discolored, chipped or crooked teeth. It is important to take into consideration proper facial balance, ideal size and shape of each tooth, proper alignment of upper to lower teeth and much more. Cosmetic dentistry has changed our world and it can change yours too.
Teeth Whitening
Are you happy with your smile? Sometimes all it takes is a simple tooth whitening treatment to give you that perfect smile. As you age, you may begin to notice that your teeth aren’t quite the same shade of white that they were in your youth. Typically, noticeable discoloration begins in the late ’20s and early ’30s. A variety of factors can speed up the discoloration process, including chemical staining from drinking caffeine and smoking, a genetic predisposition to early yellowing, and the onset of gum and tooth disease. As a cosmetic dentist’s office, we have a very extensive range of tooth whitening systems, available either in-office or at home. The level of whiteness that can be achieved depends on the extent of discoloration of your teeth and how they came to be stained.
There are many advantages to choosing professional tooth whitening treatments as opposed to over-the-counter methods or using nothing.
- Whitening treatments are very comfortable, safe, and effective
- Your smile will become permanently lighter
- Whitening is quick and noticeable
- Results are controllable, you decide how dramatic a change you want
- Whitening is simple and convenient, you can choose from in-office treatment or opt for a take-home kit
- Whiter teeth can make you feel more confident and ready to show off your beautiful smile
- Successfully brightening your smile may encourage you to take better care of your teeth
Veneers
In the past, dental veneers were a cosmetic option only available to celebrities and the very wealthy. Today, veneers are a much more affordable and practical option to treat a range of cosmetic flaws. Because placing dental veneers requires us to remove some tooth enamel, the process is irreversible; however, the difference that porcelain veneers make is often astounding.
Placing veneers requires two separate visits to Wampold Dentistry. During the first appointment, our dentists will prepare the enamel. This allows the veneer to rest naturally along the gum line. Next, we will take accurate impressions of your teeth to serve as models for the lab technicians who handcraft our veneers. At the second visit, we will ensure your veneers fit perfectly, make any adjustments necessary, and bond them permanently into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is definitely more appealing to see white when you smile rather than the sliver fillings so many people have. Your silver fillings usually last 5 to 8 years and will eventually need to be replaced. If your primary concern is the color, and the filling is in good shape, there are other options such as white fillings or porcelain inlays.
White fillings are quickly replacing the old silver fillings that are part mercury. Although both kinds of fillings serve the same purpose, white fillings are more cosmetically appealing.
We offer several different teeth whitening options that can be done in our office or in the privacy of your own home. To determine which option is best suited for your needs, we recommend you contact our office to schedule an initial consultation.
Definitely. Porcelain veneers are specifically designed to cover gaps, chips, permanent stains, misshapen teeth and washed out fillings. The thing porcelain veneers are instant orthodontics and will give you the beautiful smile you deserve.
Dental Insurance
The American Dental Association recognizes the important role dental benefits have played in improving access to dental care for millions of Americans and is working with insurance policymakers to help set better standards within the industry.
Under a UCR plan, patients are usually allowed to see the dentist of their choice. These plans pay an established percentage of the dentist fee or pay the plan sponsors customary or a reasonable fee limit, whichever is less. Although these limits are called customary, they may or may not reflect the fees that area dentists charge.
It may also be noted on your bill that the fee that your dentist is charging you is higher than the reimbursement levels of UCR. This does not mean your dentist is overcharging you; for example, the insurance company may not have taken into account up-to-date regional data to determine a reimbursement level. Why? There is no regulation as to how insurance companies determine reimbursement levels resulting in wide fluctuation. In addition, insurance companies are not required to disclose how they determine these levels the language used in this process may be inconsistent among carriers and difficult to understand.
