5 Reasons to Choose Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is usually described as making teeth look better, but that is only part of why people choose it. Many cosmetic treatments also protect worn or chipped teeth, replace old fillings that are failing, improve how the teeth work together, and do it conservatively. Looks matter too, and a smile you like can change how you feel every day. Here are five practical reasons to choose cosmetic dentistry, with how each one works at the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS.

1. It can protect worn, chipped and cracked teeth

A chip or crack is not only a cosmetic flaw. It is a weak point in the tooth.

• Bonding repairs damage. Dental bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair chips, fractures and discoloration, usually in a single visit and typically with no anesthesia.
• Veneers can strengthen teeth. A thin porcelain veneer partially wraps around the tooth like a suit of armor, protecting and strengthening it, and prepless veneers can strengthen damaged or chipped teeth without crowning them.
• Crowns protect badly damaged teeth. A porcelain dental crown restores the shape of a damaged tooth, preserves the structure that remains and protects it from further damage and decay. A crown can often save a tooth that would otherwise need to be pulled.
• Crowns can relieve pain from cracks. Discomfort in a tooth that already has a filling is often caused by tiny cracks on the chewing surface, and covering the tooth with a crown can relieve the pain and restore full function.

2. It can replace old dental work that is failing

Many adults have fillings and crowns placed years ago that are now worn, cracked, dark or simply out of place in their smile. Replacing them is both a cosmetic and a health decision.

• Worn or cracked metal fillings can let decay develop underneath.
• Dr. Haywood never uses amalgam fillings. Old amalgam is removed under rigorous safety protocols designed to minimize mercury vapor exposure, then replaced with tooth-colored, mercury-free materials. Learn more about mercury-free dentistry.
• Bonded inlays and onlays are among the longest-lasting and strongest restorations, made from materials that match your teeth and designed to be undetectable, even on front teeth.

If most of your teeth are broken, patched and filled, a single plan usually works better than one repair at a time. See full mouth reconstruction for how that is approached.

3. It can improve how your teeth work

A good-looking smile and a healthy bite go together. An ultimate smile makeover aims for optimal function and beauty, and some plans treat every tooth to create the most appropriate bite.

• Straighter teeth wear more evenly. With proper alignment and a correct bite, pressure is distributed evenly when you bite down, reducing the potential for excessive wear and breakage as you age.
• Straighter teeth are easier to clean. Teeth that overlap or twist leave places for bacteria to collect. Invisalign clear aligners can move them into a better position.
• Grinding damage can be rebuilt. Grinding and clenching wear enamel away and put small cracks into teeth. Worn and broken teeth can be rebuilt with crowns once the bite is set in the right position, and bite protection helps protect the result.
• Missing teeth affect the whole mouth. After a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth can shift, the bite can become misaligned, and untreated gaps increase the risk of gum disease. A dental implant replaces the root as well as the crown and helps prevent bone deterioration.

4. Many options are conservative

Cosmetic dentistry does not have to mean grinding down healthy teeth. Research has shown that the less a tooth is reduced, the longer it survives, and the practice follows that principle.

• Dr. Haywood always chooses the thinnest veneer and the most conservative approach.
• A porcelain veneer can be as thin as a contact lens and does not require grinding down the entire tooth.
• Prepless veneers preserve most if not all of your natural enamel for patients who qualify.
• Onlays conserve healthy structure that a traditional crown would remove, and crowns are only needed when a tooth has been extensively damaged.
• Professional teeth whitening brightens natural teeth without changing their structure.

5. You can see it, try it and pace it before you commit

A common worry is spending money on a result you might not like. Cosmetic dentistry at the practice builds in several checkpoints:

• A preview. Your digital photos are changed on the cosmetic imaging computer as part of every cosmetic evaluation, so you see a before and after of your own smile.
• A test drive. With porcelain veneers, you evaluate a trial set before the final set is made.
• A plan you approve. Treatment starts only when you approve, and every step is explained.
• Your pace. A same-day smile makeover fits into one day, an ultimate makeover can be completed in as few as two visits, and treatment can be staged over time.

And yes, how you feel about your smile matters

Your smile is vital to a great first impression, and hiding it behind a hand or closed lips can make you seem shy or even unfriendly, at work and socially. Correcting or enhancing your teeth can improve your entire appearance. Read more in why a smile is one of your most important social assets, or see how treatment changes the way a smile looks in pictures in feel camera-ready with a smile makeover.

Is cosmetic dentistry right for you?

Ask yourself a few questions before your consultation:

• Are any of my teeth chipped, cracked, worn or sensitive when I chew?
• Do I have old fillings or crowns that look dark or feel rough?
• Are my teeth crooked or gapped enough to be hard to clean?
• Am I missing any teeth?
• Do I avoid smiling in photos or conversations?

If you answered yes to any of them, an exam can tell you which treatments would help and which would not.

Experience behind the work

Dr. Haywood has more than 35 years of experience, trained in cosmetic dentistry at New York University’s Aesthetic Continuum, pursued advanced TMJ and reconstructive training at the Peter Dawson Institute, and is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. General, cosmetic and restorative care all happen in the same Timonium office.

Cost, insurance and financing

Every case is different, so your fee is set after an exam, and a makeover comes with a clear estimate up front. The practice is out of network with insurance companies: you pay at the time of service, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for anything it covers. How much a plan covers depends on the plan and the treatment. Health savings and flex plans are welcome. Financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months.

Frequently asked questions

Is cosmetic dentistry only for young people?

No. Teeth wear and change throughout life, and many cosmetic treatments, such as replacing old fillings or rebuilding worn teeth, are most useful for adults with years of dental history.

Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?

The practice keeps you comfortable throughout treatment. Bonding typically needs no anesthesia, laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service, and oral conscious sedation is available for anxious patients.

What is the most affordable cosmetic treatment?

Dental bonding is one of the most affordable cosmetic procedures in dentistry today, and it can repair a chip or close a small gap in one visit.

Can cosmetic treatment be combined with other dental care?

Yes. Cosmetic dentistry is part of a full-service practice, so cleanings, restorations and cosmetic work can be planned together in one office.

Talk to a cosmetic dentist in Timonium

Find out which treatments would protect your teeth as well as improve your smile. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, serving Timonium, Towson, Hunt Valley, Baltimore and Shrewsbury, PA. Explore all cosmetic dentistry in Timonium.