Many patients avoid asking their dentist about cosmetic procedures because they believe they are unnecessary. They may feel that cosmetic dentistry is a luxury or need not improve their smiles.

Patients should know that cosmetic dentistry has benefits that go far beyond appearance. Cosmetic procedures can be an excellent investment in your self-confidence and oral health. This blog explains the top three reasons patients should consider investing in cosmetic procedures.

Reason #1: Improve Your Oral and Overall Health

Leaving an empty space in your smile after a tooth extraction can lead to serious oral health issues. The tooth's neighbors may move and become crowded or gapped. It is more challenging to clean overcrowded teeth, and gapped teeth can collect food, plaque, and debris. Both issues contribute to higher rates of gum disease and tooth decay.

When you replace a tooth with a dental implant, you protect your jawbone from deterioration. An empty socket begins to break down and reabsorb into the body, possibly leading to jaw weakness. A dental implant helps rebuild jaw strength.

Oral health also directly impacts overall health. By improving oral health, you may lower your lifetime risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and dental infections.

Reason #2: Save Money on Future Dental Expenses

Getting a crown, bridge, or implant can lower your future dental expenses by preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and infection.

Reason #3: Improve Your Self-Confidence

After a cosmetic dental procedure, you'll be excited to see yourself in the mirror. Your enthusiasm will spread to others, and your positivity will not go unnoticed. You will feel better about your appearance, influencing your mental health and overall attitude.

You may attract more positive attention, both personally and professionally. When you smile more, you see increased opportunities and a better reputation.

Our Cosmetic Procedures

• Teeth Whitening: This safe procedure uses carbamide peroxide gel to enter the enamel and break up stains from the inside.
• Cosmetic Bonding: Your dentist uses tooth-colored resin to shape and correct the appearance of damaged or discolored teeth.
• Invisalign: This orthodontic system provides fast, comfortable, discreet treatment for minor to moderate alignment and bite issues.
• Veneers: Thin porcelain sheets wrap around the forward surfaces of your teeth, covering multiple aesthetic problems in one procedure. 
• Crowns: These versatile appliances can cover a broken, chipped, or discolored tooth, restoring appearance and function.
• Bridges: A bridge holds artificial teeth to fill a gap, complete your smile, and prevent tooth movement.
• Dental Implants: Implants strengthen your jawbone, prevent teeth from slipping out of position, and improve appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry

Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Most insurance policies limit cosmetic dentistry coverage, but dual-purpose procedures like crowns, bridges, and implants could receive some coverage. When deciding whether to pursue cosmetic treatment, consider your lifetime cost savings.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

Porcelain veneers generally last between seven and 15 years. They are highly stain-resistant and chip-resistant, typically lasting longer than composites.

Call Blossom Dentistry

We can show you how our cosmetic dentistry procedures can make you want to smile. Please call our Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC office at 202-922-2900 for more information and to make an appointment.

If you have crooked, stained, or missing teeth, you know how dental issues can affect your self-confidence. Many patients feel they could improve their smiles but don't know where to start. Fortunately, your family dentist offers many cosmetic dentistry procedures that enhance your physical appearance and make you smile.

Working with a cosmetic dentist who is a highly skilled member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) offers numerous advantages. These dentists have undergone rigorous training and adhere to the highest standards of excellence in cosmetic dental procedures. Membership in the AACD signifies a commitment to continuous education and staying current with the latest advancements and techniques in cosmetic dentistry. Patients can expect a high level of artistry and precision, ensuring that treatments such as veneers, bonding, and whitening yield natural-looking and long-lasting results. Additionally, AACD members have access to a vast network of resources and expertise, allowing them to provide comprehensive care tailored to each patient's unique needs. This affiliation reassures patients that they are receiving care from a professional dedicated to achieving the best possible aesthetic outcomes while prioritizing oral health.

Cosmetic Procedures and How They Can Help You

Remove Tooth Stains

Teeth become stained by patients' eating and drinking habits, smoking, and natural aging. Cosmetic dentists use multiple methods to remove stains and restore teeth's natural brilliance.

• Teeth Whitening: This procedure uses peroxide gel to dissolve stains within the teeth, creating a brilliant appearance.
• In-Office Same-Day Laser Teeth Whitening: In-office same-day laser teeth whitening is a highly effective cosmetic dental procedure designed to significantly brighten teeth in just one visit. Utilizing advanced laser technology, the treatment involves applying a specialized whitening gel to the teeth, which is then activated by the laser light. This activation process accelerates the breakdown of stains and discoloration, often resulting in teeth becoming several shades whiter within an hour. The procedure is carefully monitored by a dental professional to ensure optimal results and minimize sensitivity. In-office laser whitening is ideal for patients seeking immediate and dramatic improvements in their smile's appearance, particularly for those with time constraints or special occasions on the horizon.
• Microabrasion: s a minimally invasive dental procedure aimed at improving the appearance of teeth affected by discoloration, stains, and calcification. This technique involves the mechanical removal of a thin layer of enamel using an abrasive compound, often combined with a mild acid. It's particularly effective in treating superficial stains iand discolorations caused by factors like fluorosis, demineralization, or certain medications. By removing the outermost layer of enamel, microabrasion can reveal a whiter, more uniform surface, thus enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the teeth without the need for more invasive treatments like veneers or crowns. Additionally, it can help smooth out the enamel surface, reducing the appearance of calcification and improving overall tooth texture.

Improve Tooth Alignment

Gapped and crooked teeth often make patients feel self-conscious. They may cover their smiles when they laugh, eat, or speak. A fully aligned smile projects confidence and good health.

• Invisalign: This system uses clear medical-grade plastic aligners to gently move teeth over a period of 12 to 18 months. The process is quicker, more comfortable, and more discreet than braces.
• Veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted from porcelain or composite resin that are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth, significantly improving their alignment, color, and shape. When it comes to alignment, veneers can be used to correct minor orthodontic issues such as slightly crooked or gapped teeth, providing a straighter appearance without the need for braces. In terms of color, veneers are an excellent solution for teeth that are severely discolored or stained, as they can be matched to the desired shade of whiteness, offering a bright and uniform smile. Additionally, veneers enhance the shape of teeth by covering chips, cracks, or irregularly shaped teeth, resulting in a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing look.
• An important advantage of veneers is that extensive grinding of the teeth, which often results in tooth stubs, is not necessary. While some preparation is typically required to ensure a proper fit and natural appearance, modern techniques and materials allow for minimal enamel removal. In some cases, especially with no-prep or minimal-prep veneers, the natural tooth structure can be preserved to a greater extent, making the procedure less invasive and more comfortable for the patient. This conservative approach not only maintains more of the natural tooth but also contributes to the overall longevity and success of the veneers.

Restore Chipped and Broken Teeth

A smile marred by chipped and broken teeth often leads to a negative self-image. Patients who don't feel they can smile freely in public may project the wrong impression.

• Dental Crowns: If a tooth is discolored, misshapen, or broken, a dental crown can repair it while providing excellent appearance and chewing function. 
• Cosmetic Bonding: is significantly influenced by the skill and expertise of the dentist performing the procedure. This technique involves the application of a tooth-colored resin material to the teeth, which is then sculpted, hardened, and polished to enhance the smile. The dentist's proficiency in matching the resin to the natural tooth color and shaping it to achieve a seamless blend is crucial for a natural-looking result. Additionally, their ability to precisely apply the bonding material, ensuring it adheres properly and lasts, can impact the durability and aesthetic outcome of the treatment. A skilled dentist can artfully mask imperfections such as chips, cracks, and gaps, creating a flawless and harmonious appearance. Therefore, the success of cosmetic bonding not only depends on the materials used but also heavily relies on the dentist's artistic vision, technical skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Veneers: Dental veneers can also cover chipped teeth, improving their appearance with porcelain material.

Replace Missing Teeth

Missing teeth are a cosmetic problem but also impact patients' oral health. Leaving an empty socket in your mouth can increase your chance of developing tooth decay and gum disease due to trapped food and plaque. Teeth may move, becoming crooked and causing further complications.

• Dental Bridges: A bridge replaces up to three teeth with artificial replacements called pontics. The pontics sit between supporting implants or crowns. A bridge is a relatively affordable way to replace teeth and preserve oral health.
• Dental Implants: Implants are today's premier replacements for missing or damaged teeth. They replace the tooth's crown and the natural root system, keeping other teeth from shifting and protecting jawbone mass.

Improve Self-Image

Cosmetic treatments brighten your smile, bringing you an optimistic outlook on life. If you have felt self-conscious about your teeth, now is the time to talk to your dentist about cosmetic procedures. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry

How long does Invisalign take?

Typically, Invisalign takes roughly 12 to 18 months to correct your smile. This process includes changing your aligner approximately every one to two weeks and visiting the dentist every six to eight weeks for regular monitoring. At the end of the Invisalign process, you will have beautifully aligned teeth and feel better about your appearance.

Does over-the-counter whitening work?

Over-the-counter whitening products fall on a spectrum. They are either too strong for use without professional supervision or too weak to produce results in a reasonable amount of time.

Do not use solutions bought from ads online, as these can burn your gums and create excess sensitivity. If you purchase products from the store, they are generally safe but may take longer to work than the package states.

By adding up the money you have spent on over-the-counter whitening products to achieve the same results, you may have spent as much as a professional treatment would cost. It is a better plan to consult your dentist for professional whitening.

Call Blossom Dentistry

Speak to the compassionate team at Blossom Dentistry today to become more confident in your appearance. We can help you choose the ideal cosmetic procedures to straighten, brighten, and complete your smile. Please call our Washington, DC, office at 202-922-2900 to schedule a consultation today.

It is not uncommon to want to have a bright white smile. After all, yellow or stained teeth aren’t so pearly white, are they?

Teeth start out white, but slowly, with time, they become stained and discolored, leaving us with the feeling that we are lacking something. Things like certain foods and beverages, medications, genetics, and so forth can cause teeth to change color. It happens. Thankfully there is something we can do about it.

If you are looking for beautiful white teeth that will help you feel more confident, you have a couple of options.

Whitening Products

There are so many whitening products on the market, some over-the-counter and others professional. These usually come in the form of toothpastes and trays of gel. While they may last for a short time, they are not a permanent solution.

It is highly recommended if you are going to opt for this type of teeth whitening, that you do so using the professional option. This is done under the care of your dentist.  It can be done in one visit or take home custom trays can be made specific to your tooth anatomy and the whitening is done at home for two weeks.  The results last longer than the over-the-counter options too.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is a type of flexible resin that is placed over your tooth and contoured to look like natural tooth. It is beneficial to reduce staining and to cover things like chips or gaps that can all be done in one appointment. Composite bonding isn’t the strongest option so you still need to be careful when what you bite down on, but it can make a great difference in the look of your teeth.

Some people turn to composite bonding as a more affordable alternative to veneers.

Porcelain Veneers

If you are looking for the top-of-the-line option for teeth whitening, look no further than porcelain veneers. This is the best step you can take to obtain the smile you have always wanted. Not only are they durable, but they are also able to transform even the most stained teeth. It can literally let you leave the dentist’s office with an entirely brand new, bright white smile.

For patients who need a more affordable option but still want the top of the line smile, a combination of veneers, bonding and whitening can be done.   It is common to cover a few of your front teeth in veneers and use temporary professional whitening for the rest.

Porcelain veneers are more of an investment due to their durability and the nature of their long lasting material much stronger than composite bonding , but they do last much longer. If you take care of them with good oral hygiene and you don’t try to test their strength by, say, opening bottles with your teeth, they can last you a really long time.

Teeth Whitening at Blossom Dentistry

If you are ready to get your teeth whitened or you have questions about the processes, then Blossom Dentistry is here to help. So whether you are looking for something temporary like in-office bleaching, or you prefer cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers, you can be on your way to a bright white smile.

Call Blossom Dentistry today at (202) 922-2900. Or, book an appointment online.