A flawless smile means a lot more than you realize. You create an excellent first impression, boost your confidence, and feel more attractive. Nonetheless, when your teeth are misaligned, discolored, stained, misshapen, or chipped, you will feel less confident and beautiful, which will affect your self-esteem. If you are fretting about the look of your teeth, it is a sign you require a smile makeover to avoid the embarrassment and insecurities of a flawed smile.

At The Whittier Dentist, we offer cosmetic dentistry services in Whittier, CA. Our designs aim to address many aesthetic concerns, putting together both artistic and professional skills to give you healthy and appealing gum, smile, and teeth.

Definition of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a field that emphasizes enhancing the appearance of your gums, teeth, and smile while finding balance with other facial features. At The Whittier Dentist, we combine artistic and expert skills to give you a flawless and desired smile that will convey your personality and give you the confidence you need to achieve your goals. Cosmetic dentistry treatments differ from orthodontic treatments because they aim to solely enhance your smile and appearance, but they do not necessarily improve your dental health.

Differences Between Cosmetic and Orthodontic Dentistry

When dealing with bad teeth and smiles, you may be wavering between seeing an orthodontist and a cosmetic dental expert. These two professionals focus on enhancing their clients’ smiles, although their skills and expertise differ in many ways.

Firstly, cosmetic dentistry focuses on smile enhancement by solving surface issues, while orthodontics addresses the structural problems of the mouth to give you a flawless smile. Therefore, when you have irregular teeth and jawbones, the professional to go to is an orthodontist. On the other hand, when you have gum, smile, or teeth aesthetic problems that are not health-related, a cosmetic dental expert is a person to go to for a smile makeover.

Treatment or Procedures for Smile Makeover

Cosmetic dentists possess various skills to perform procedures focused on giving your teeth, a smile and gum the perfect look you want with a few schedules. The advantage of the smile makeover procedures is they are pain-free, making them suitable for patients dealing with dental anxiety.

Similarly, when you require a cosmetic procedure like an invasive dental implant, you will be sedated to eliminate anxiety and pain. That way, you will be comfortable throughout the treatment.

During cosmetic dental procedures, the dentist can do the following:

• Eliminate tooth discoloration and stains

• Utilize dental prosthetics to achieve symmetric smiles

• Spruce up gum and teeth structure appearances

The typical cosmetic procedures are:

1. Dental Implants

Living with missing teeth can adversely affect your confidence and make you reluctant to speak in public because missing teeth affect your speech. Additionally, when open sockets stay in your mouth for long without being covered, they reduce the jawbone density, which could affect your face's facial structure, making you less attractive. Additionally, the teeth adjacent to the open socket can shift towards the opening, causing teeth misalignment, significantly affecting your smile. Again, with missing teeth, you are prone to gum disease, which can flaw your smile and affect your teeth.

Therefore, dental implants are the perfect solution to the problem when dealing with several missing teeth because of injury, decay, or age. The implants are titanium roots or synthetic structures inserted on the jaw in the space with the missing teeth to anchor an artificial tooth. Often, an implant replaces the natural tooth root. As the bone heals, it grows around the dental implant in a process known as osseointegration, thus securing the jaw and providing proper anchorage for the artificial tooth.

The whole restoration resembles the natural tooth, making it difficult to differentiate it from the natural teeth. With teeth that look like the original one, you can talk, smile, and chew comfortably like you did before without insecurity or embarrassment. At The Whittier Dentist, we are ready to replace your lost teeth through a dental implant procedure to give your teeth a natural look and feel. We will first determine your candidacy when you visit us for the treatment. If you are an eligible candidate, the treatment will continue. Nonetheless, when you are not qualified for implants, we will explore other options that will ensure you regain your flawless smile.

2. Dental Veneers

When you feel less confident because of fractured, chipped, stained, or gaps between teeth, dental veneers are the proper cosmetic procedure to remedy the situation. Veneers are wafer-thin, tailored shells of porcelain or resin that resemble the teeth' color. The sheets cover the teeth’ front surface and then permanently bond to the tooth surface. However, before this, the dentist must remove nearly half a millimeter of the enamel before attaching the veneers to completely change the teeth' size, shape, color, and length.

The advantage of the treatment is that veneers are extremely thin, and people will merely notice them in the mouth, improving your smile’s appearance. Also, the tooth-colored porcelain material used in the treatment is resistant to stains and does not change color with time, meaning the beautiful smile will be durable. Additionally, the sheet covers the surface of the damaged tooth, making it stronger, appealing, and durable.

A cosmetic dentist at The Whittier Dentist can fix your discolored, chipped, or broken teeth problem using porcelain veneers to give you a flawless smile you have always desired. Therefore, when dealing with bad teeth in Whittier, CA, we welcome you for dental veneers treatment.

3. Tooth Whitening

Your white teeth can dim over time because of particular foods, coffee, soda, and cigarettes. Additionally, some medications, fluoride, and teeth grinding can wear the teeth enamel, leaving the yellow dentin exposed, giving your teeth a yellow look. Having discolored teeth can dent your self-esteem considerably because smiling, especially in social places, will be a big problem due to insecurity and fear of embarrassment. Dental experts utilize the most advanced technology to remove the stains and discolorations on your teeth' surfaces when struggling with discolored teeth. The advantage of the treatment is that you can easily afford it, and it gives your teeth the whiteness you desire within the shortest time.

In our offices, we have several options for bleaching your teeth. Based on your condition, we utilize Kor or Zoom whitening. With Kor whitening, we can access the core of your tooth root without using lasers because this treatment option relies on a potent bleaching cream. On the other hand, zoom utilizes LED light technology to activate hydrogen peroxide bleaching resin. All patients are eligible for the treatment, but it has done wonders among patients dealing with dental anxiety or deep stains that extend to the tooth root. Within one hour in our offices, you will walk out with pearl white teeth and a perfect smile.

4. Professional Teeth Cleaning

Sadly, when you fail to observe oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, the teeth could accumulate plaque and tartar, which cannot be removed with regular cleaning. Having plaque and tartar buildup around your teeth makes them less appealing, and you may even develop a foul breath because of the bacteria in the mouth. When the plaque is left for long, bacteria accumulate in these spaces, causing infection, leading to significant teeth issues like decay.

Luckily, cosmetic dentists can clean the teeth using special tools to remove the buildup that cannot be eliminated with regular washing. At The Whittier Dentist, we schedule professional teeth washing with our patients twice annually to eliminate the buildup and restore your fashionable and clean smile. With this kind of cleaning twice yearly, you will never have to deal with bad breath or tooth decay.

5. Inlays and Onlays

Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and Onlays are gold, composite, or porcelain made in the lab and bonded by a dentist to protect decayed or damaged teeth. However, the treatment is only available if your teeth' edges support it. Therefore, when dealing with highly decayed teeth in Whittier, CA, we at The Whittier Dentist can utilize inlays and Onlays to restore your teeth' original strength and look. We will recommend Onlays to cover the biting surfaces while inlays cover the center of the teeth with cavities. Indirect fillings are perfect substitutes for dental crowns as they strengthen teeth with cavities and give them an appealing look.

Why You Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry

When you have healthy and functional teeth, you can hardly consider a smile makeover. Most people unhappy with their smile keep postponing teeth whitening appointments because they do not see any urgency in the procedure. However, several reasons can compel you to go for the treatment. The common ones are:

Most Treatments are Pain-Free

Many patients deal with dental anxiety or phobia, making scheduling appointments with dentists a massive challenge. When dealing with the phobia, you will assume that every treatment conducted in a dental office is painful, and you will never want to visit a dentist. Nonetheless, the good news is that multiple tooth whitening techniques are nearly painless. Treatments like professional teeth washing and tooth whitening are virtually painless, and the outcome is a flawless smile.

Also, when it comes to invasive cosmetic procedures like dental implants, dentists at The Whittier Dentist use sedation to keep you relaxed throughout the dental implantation process. We will administer local anesthesia at first and accompany it with numbing ointment to have you comfortable until the completion of the treatment.

Cosmetic Dentistry is Cost Friendly

Most dental procedures require you to dig deep in the pocket, primarily when your insurer does not provide coverage for the particular treatment you need. Nevertheless, cosmetic dentistry treatments are usually simple and affordable, meaning you will not dent your bank account just by paying for a smile makeover. Some dentists even have cosmetic procedures with restorative benefits because these are considered to offer health benefits.

And with the current technological advancements in this branch of dentistry, you can quickly obtain efficient and pocket-friendly cosmetic dentistry treatment to restore a flawless smile. All you need is to reach out to us for a free consultation. After an oral evaluation, we will recommend the best treatment based on your oral needs.

Treatments Can Enhance Your Life Quality

After undergoing cosmetic dentistry treatment, you regain a beautiful smile and balanced facial structure that makes you feel good about yourself and your life. A beautiful smile restores your confidence. If you sort the treatment to correct discolored, chipped, fractured, missing, or decayed teeth, cosmetic dentistry will restore these flaws to give you a perfect smile which will boost your professional career as well as social life.

If your smile appearance resulted in social anxiety and speech problems, this would be a matter of the past after the procedure. You will be confident and convey your personality, exposing you to new friends and career opportunities.

Improved Oral Health

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on elective benefits. However, through the treatment, you could obtain health or therapeutic benefits. For instance, when you undergo expert teeth cleaning to remove tartar and plaque buildup, you will be preventing tooth decay at the same time. Also, when you use indirect fillings to cover tooth surfaces and cavities, you help restore the original tooth structure and prevent further decay.

You Obtain a Glamorous and Fabulous Look

One of the critical reasons you will choose to undergo a cosmetic dentistry procedure is to improve your aesthetics or looks. Stained, chipped, or cracked teeth are unappealing to the eye. Cosmetic dentistry quickly corrects these flaws efficiently and cost-effectively to restore a flawless smile.

Indications That You Need Cosmetic Dentistry

When people meet you, they will notice your smile before your clothes or shoes. Therefore, when you want to create a lasting first impression, obtaining a smile makeover is the right direction to take. If your teeth are unsightly because of stains, gaps, and fractures, you will not create an excellent first impression. You will feel ashamed and insecure when in public spaces because your smile is unappealing. Despite these benefits, many patients do not undergo cosmetic dentistry because they do not understand when they need one. If you are one of these individuals, below are indications that cosmetic dentistry is necessary:

1. You Are Self-conscious of Your Smile

Fractured, chipped, gapped, or irregular teeth can make you feel embarrassed about your smile. Luckily, with cosmetic dentistry, all these dental imperfections will be corrected, restoring a flawless smile that will make you confident when laughing or talking in public places and professional meetings. Nonetheless, for the cosmetic dentist to address your specific problem, you must explain in detail what your smile problems are and expectations at the end of treatment. With this information, your dentist will recommend the proper cosmetic dentistry treatment to help obtain your intended objectives.

2. Your Facial Structure Has Changed

Chipped, broken, or missing teeth can significantly affect your facial structure. Missing teeth reduces the density of your jawbones, changing the shape of your face. However, when you arrange for a meeting with our cosmetic dentists, we will find a solution to your problem. For example, if your smile has been flawed because of missing teeth, replacing the teeth using implants will restore the smile and your facial structure by stimulating the jawbone to grow.

3. You Have a Foul Breath

Recall, when plaque and tartar accumulate in your mouth, they allow bacteria to grow and colonize the mouth resulting in foul breath. Even if bad breath is not a cosmetic issue, you will realize that most people dealing with the problem have a flawed smile because of poor oral hygiene. With a foul smell coming from your mouth, you will not smile or talk as you wish because you are afraid of embarrassment.

So, when you start experiencing bad breath, you are welcome to visit our offices to schedule a professional teeth cleaning session. With the right tools and skills, we will remove the plaque and tartar that have allowed bacteria to thrive in your mouth, eliminating the foul smell and preventing tooth problems like decay linked to poor oral hygiene.

4. You Have Dental Anxiety

When you have dental phobia, invasive treatments might not be the best. However, you can opt for cosmetic dentistry because it is painless. Also, dentists administer a sedative to make you more comfortable during treatment.

Lastly, the signs you need cosmetic dentistry will defer from one individual to another. Nonetheless, what is clear is that when you feel insecure or need to change a few aspects of your smile or teeth, then it means you are a candidate for a smile makeover. A cosmetic dentist will have all the answers to your smile aesthetic needs.

Before the Procedure

When you visit our office for the first time, our dental experts from The Whittier Dentist will start by evaluating your mouth using an x-ray and 3D imaging. The images produced will be analyzed to identify your oral problems and understand the oral structure to guide the treatment.

After the evaluation, the dental expert will explain your oral problems and the most appropriate treatment to address them based on your oral structure. We do this to ensure you understand why we recommend a particular treatment and the problem we are addressing.

Once the dentist has explained your treatment options and their reasons, the tricky part is deciding which plan will help you obtain maximum benefits. However, the dentist can help you pick the proper treatment after they have understood your problem and the desired outcome.

When choosing a treatment plan, the cost is critical. Therefore, inquire about the price and find out from your insurer whether they provide coverage for the same. Also, you want to know whether the treatment is painful and, if yes, the kind of sedation they will administer. Again, you can ask about the preparations necessary for the treatment and its success rate. You can confirm this by checking our portfolio or meeting some of our previous clients to corroborate our info.

After Care

Several cosmetic dentistry treatments mentioned earlier can improve your oral health and smile aesthetics. Nonetheless, you need to observe oral hygiene after the procedure to ensure the gains made are not lost. Discussed below are some of the pointers that can help protect your teeth after cosmetic dentistry:

Observe Healthy Oral Habits

As mentioned earlier, when you fail to brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes each time, you risk developing oral health problems and an unattractive smile because of plaque and tartar accumulation in the mouth. Therefore, after undergoing professional cleaning, tooth whitening, or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, you should observe healthy oral habits or practices. Also, you should schedule professional cleaning twice annually to remove the buildup that cannot be removed through routine brushing.

Rinse Your Mouth After Meals

After taking foods or drinks that might discolor your teeth, always rinse your mouth using mouthwash to remove the dental stains.

Wear Night Guard to Prevent Teeth Grinding

Many unsightly smiles stem from teeth clenching and grinding. Therefore, after a cosmetic procedure to correct broken, chipped, or worn-out teeth, it is advisable to wear a night guard when going to sleep.

Avoid Extremely Hard to Chew Food

After a cosmetic dentistry procedure, the dentist will not restrict you from meals. However, you must be cautious when eating hard foods right after procedures like dental veneers, crowns, or implants.

You should avoid these foods to keep the restorations in good shape for an extended duration because this means a lasting, beautiful smile. Therefore, after a smile makeover, avoid bad oral habits like opening soda bottles with your teeth, as this will lower the longevity of your perfect smile.

When something goes wrong with the restorations, do not hesitate to contact us to handle the condition before everything goes south.

Find the Right Smile Makeover Dentist Near Me

When dealing with a flawed smile because of chipped, cracked, discolored, or broken teeth, a cosmetic dentistry treatment is an answer to the problem. At The Whittier Dentist, we are dedicated to improving the look of your smile while offering restorative benefits. Our dentists understand that oral needs are unique from one patient to another, which is why we provide bespoke treatment plans to help you achieve your goals. Call us today at 562-632-1223 to arrange a free consultation in Whittier, CA.