Not happy with how your teeth look? Cosmetic dentistry can fix common smile flaws and give you a confidence boost. Your dentist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan for your dream smile.
You can experience a more streamlined and efficient appointment if you know what will happen ahead of time. Dr. Keith Boenning, a dentist serving patients in Towson, MD, outlines what you can expect during your initial visit with a cosmetic dentist.
What Happens During a Cosmetic Dental Consultation?
If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile, your journey begins with a consultation. This visit helps your dentist understand your goals while ensuring your mouth is healthy enough for treatment. Here’s a detailed look at what happens during this important appointment.
Step 1: Oral Health Evaluation
You may have scheduled this appointment for cosmetic smile enhancement, but your dentist will first need to evaluate your oral health. Even though you’re focused on cosmetic improvements, a healthy smile is the best foundation for cosmetic treatments. Your dentist will start by checking your overall oral health. They’ll examine your teeth and gums for any issues like cavities, infections, or gum disease.
If they find any problems, your dentist will recommend fixing them first. This might mean treating a cavity or managing gum inflammation before moving forward with cosmetic work. Taking care of these issues now ensures longer-lasting results from your smile makeover.
Step 2: Smile Design Strategizing
Once your mouth is healthy, the fun part begins. Your dentist will discuss what you’d like to change and start planning your new smile. They’ll discuss whitening stained teeth, fixing chips, closing gaps, and reshaping uneven teeth. Whatever you need.
Since every smile is different, your dentist will create a customized treatment plan just for you. They’ll consider factors like:
- Your desired look
- The natural shape and alignment of your teeth
- Your facial features for a well-balanced result
- Any past dental work or medical conditions that could affect treatment
Your dentist will explain each option in detail, so you know exactly what to expect. This is also the perfect time to ask questions. Ask about recovery time, maintenance, or how your smile will look afterward. There’s no such thing as stupid questions.
Step 3: Cosmetic Dental Procedure Planning
With a treatment plan in place, you can work with the staff to schedule your procedures. Your dentist will let you know how many appointments you may need and how long they will last so that you can plan accordingly.
Depending on your unique treatment, you may need to schedule several visits to your dentist’s office. Some treatments, like teeth whitening, may need many visits to achieve your ideal shade. Others, such as dental bonding, can often be completed in a single appointment.
If you’re getting porcelain veneers, the process usually takes two visits:
- First Visit: Your teeth are gently prepared, and impressions are taken to create your custom veneers.
- Second Visit: Your permanent veneers are carefully bonded in place.
Your dentist will give you a clear timeline so you can plan ahead. They’ll also provide care instructions to help you maintain your stunning new smile.
Understanding Your Smile Goals
Before any cosmetic dental work begins, your dentist will want to understand exactly what bothers you about your current smile and what you hope to accomplish. Some patients want whiter teeth, while others want to fix chips, gaps, or crookedness.
Think about bring photos of smiles you admire to help explain your vision. Your dentist will examine how your teeth look when you talk and smile naturally. He will make sure your results complement your facial features. This conversation helps ensure you and your dentist are on the same page about your expectations and what’s realistically possible with cosmetic dentistry.
The Importance of Oral Health First
We can’t stress this enough. While cosmetic improvements can dramatically enhance your smile, they work best when built on a healthy foundation. Your dentist will check for cavities, gum disease, or other issues that need treatment first. It doesn’t make sense to put beautiful veneers on teeth with untreated decay. Some patients need fillings, gum therapy, or other basic dental work before cosmetic procedures can begin.
This might seem frustrating if you’re eager to transform your smile, but addressing these issues first helps ensure your cosmetic results last longer and look their best. Think of it like preparing a wall before painting. Proper preparation leads to better and longer-lasting results.
Seeing Your Potential New Smile
Many cosmetic dentists use technology to show you how your smile could look after treatment. Some take digital photos and use special software to simulate different procedures, while others create wax models or temporary versions of proposed changes. These previews help you visualize the potential results before committing to treatment.
You can provide feedback and your dentist can adjust the plan accordingly. This collaborative process helps ensure you’ll be thrilled with your final smile. Cosmetic dentistry is about creating a smile that makes you feel confident, not achieving some unrealistic “perfect” standard.
Ready to Transform Your Smile?
Boenning and Dancykier Dental Implants and Cosmetic Dentistry offer teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental treatments to patients in Towson, MD. Dr. Boenning also specializes in implant, restorative, and general dentistry, including both preventative and emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact our office by phone at 410-324-2294 or request an appointment online.