Cosmetic Dentistry Questions

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry combines the science of dentistry with the art of creating a beautiful smile. Fillings, crowns, and other restorations are all created with natural looking materials. Flaws in the appearance of your teeth can be corrected as well. Cosmetic dentistry is comprehensive, addressing the health and beauty of your teeth and mouth.

I have some real dental problems, such as cavities. Do I need to get those things fixed before seeing a cosmetic dentist?

No. A cosmetic dentist treats “real” dental problems such as cavities, but with superior materials. In fact, if you get those things “fixed” first, your cosmetic dentist may have to do all of that work over again.

What types of problems can Cosmetic Dentistry correct?

Cosmetic dentistry can correct problems with the health of your teeth and flaws in the appearance of your teeth including:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Gaps
• Broken teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Discoloration
• Missing teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Old, discolored, or failing restorations

What can Cosmetic Dentistry do for me?

Cosmetic dentistry addresses underlying dental problems, restoring your oral health, protecting your teeth and jaw from future damage, and relieving dental pain. Enhancing the beauty of your smile can have a multitude of personal, professional, and social benefits including:

• Increased self confidence
• A more youthful appearance
• Improved job opportunities and promotions
• Recovery from trauma or health problems
• Improving major life transitions, such as divorce

I have seen some pretty bad dental work. Will my teeth look natural after Cosmetic Dentistry?

Yes. Most of the bad work that you see is due to the use of inferior materials. Older tooth colored materials have a flat look, discolor easily, and are almost never color matched to the surrounding teeth in the first place. It would seem that all of the dental work that you see is bad, because good cosmetic dentistry isn’t noticeable. Unless someone tells you they have had the work done, you’ll never know.

We use porcelain for our restorations, and precisely match the color and shape of your teeth so they look and act like your natural teeth. Porcelain reflects light in the same way as you natural tooth enamel, so it looks real and alive. Porcelain is very resistant to staining.

Are the results of Cosmetic Dentistry permanent?

The results of most cosmetic dentistry solutions are permanent. There are some exceptions, such as tooth whitening whose longevity depends on how you care for your teeth after the procedure.

I have old restorations that are discolored. Can you make them match my natural teeth?

Yes, by replacing them. We cannot change the color of your existing restorations, and they will not respond to whitening, but we can replace them with porcelain. There is an added benefit to replacing them. Old restorations, especially metal fillings, may be failing or may have caused damage to your teeth that you have not yet noticed. We can correct this when replace the old restoration preventing further damage to your teeth.

If you still have questions about cosmetic dentistry in New Jersey, please contact our Caldwell cosmetic dentist today to schedule your initial cosmetic dentistry consultation. Dr. Green serves cosmetic dentistry patients in Caldwell, West Essex, Essex County, Morris County, and Passaic County, New Jersey.