Is Cosmetic Dental Treatment Right For Me?
Cosmetic dentistry can help patients with all kinds of dental issues drastically improve the look of their smiles and regain their confidence. Before deciding whether or not you should pursue cosmetic dental treatment, take some time and think about your level of satisfaction with your smile. Perhaps you find yourself shying away from laughing, speaking, or smiling at all in front of others because you're self conscious of your grin. If your smile is holding you back from living your life to the fullest, cosmetic care at our Lafayette office can provide you with the confidence boost you deserve.
Did You Know…
Veneers can help protect your natural enamel.
Ready for a consultation?
What To Expect At Your Cosmetic Consultation
Initial Conversation
First things first, you and your Lafayette dentist will speak candidly about how you feel about your smile. We'll do everything you can to make sure you're comfortable, and encourage you to speak honestly about any imperfections with your grin that make you feel self-conscious or that you would like to change.
Comprehensive Exam
To find out if you're a good candidate for cosmetic services, Dr. Deniakos will perform a thorough oral exam. For cosmetic treatments to be a success, it helps to start with a healthy set of teeth and gums, so your dentist will discuss your oral health with you and plan any restorative treatments you may require before beginning cosmetic care.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Once your consultation and exam have been completed, your doctor will lay out all of your treatment options and outline a cosmetic treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and desired results. The treatment plan will help you to understand each and every step of your smile transformation.
Explore Your Options
Your dentist will provide you with an array of treatment options, and together, you'll decide what's best for your needs, and what suits your budget and lifestyle.
Scheduling & Payment
Once you've decided on your preferred treatment plan, we'll schedule your next visit and answer any questions you may have about finances or our services.
Cosmetic Treatment Options In Lafayette
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening allows you to brighten your smile without having to leave the comfort of your own home. With a take-home whitening kit, you’ll gradually whiten your teeth over the course of 2 weeks.
To ensure your reusable whitening trays fit perfectly, we will take impressions of your teeth and gums and custom-craft your trays.
Once the trays are complete, you’ll receive our whitening product, as well as detailed instructions for proper use and how to care for your trays. If you follow your dentist's directions, you’ll achieve the professional results your smile deserves.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
For patients who desire a more dramatic transformation, in-office whitening might be right for you. In a single visit, you can brighten your teeth by up to 10 shades! The near-instant results will have you ready to show off your smile for any upcoming special occasions.
Your dentist will begin by applying a special protective gel to your gums so they aren’t irritated by the whitening agent. To keep your cheeks and other soft-tissues in your mouth out of harm's way, retractors will be used to keep them away from your teeth. A powerful whitening agent will then be carefully applied to your teeth and then activated with a UV light. Depending on how many shades brighter you’re going for, the whitening agent will be left on your teeth for up to an hour, before being rinsed away. For those with more advanced discoloration, the whitening process can be repeated several times over the course of multiple visits to achieve the results you desire.
Dental Bonding, Shaping & Contouring
Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that has the ability to transform your smile. Your dentist will apply a dental resin, color-matched to blend in with the rest of your smile, to your teeth. They will carefully sculpt the resin into the desired shape before hardening it with a UV light to enhance and restore the look, feel, and function of your grin. A relatively quick procedure, dental bonding usually takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth.
Shaping & contouring, also referred to as enameloplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is often performed together with dental bonding. During the shaping & contouring procedure, a thin layer of enamel will be removed from uneven, chipped, or sharp teeth to achieve the desired shape.
Veneers
Veneers can completely change the look of your smile, eliminating small gaps between teeth, as well as covering up the appearance of stained, misshaped, or uneven teeth. Veneers are wafer-thin, tooth-colored porcelain shells that are affixed to the front side of your teeth with a powerful dental cement.
Placing veneers begins with the removal of 0.5mm of enamel, so they can blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile. However, an important aspect to consider is that enamel does not grow back, making this an irreversible procedure. Still, veneers can completely redefine your smile and give you the confidence boost you deserve, and can last up to 15 years, with the proper care, before needing to be replaced.
Cosmetic Dental Makeovers
Cosmetic makeovers are personalized plans that utilize multiple treatment methods to address all of your smile needs. Because everyone is unique and may have different goals, the exact services included can vary widely between patients. Over the course of one or more appointments at our Lafayette office, a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental procedures will be carried out to help you achieve your dream smile.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a great way to align your smile without the hassle of traditional orthodontics. Instead of uncomfortable metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign utilizes a series of clear aligners made from a durable plastic called SmartTrack. Because they’re removable, they don’t impose any dietary restrictions and are super easy to keep clean.
Because of advancements in Invisalign technology, we are able to treat more complex orthodontic issues than ever before. Schedule a consultation today and find out if Invisalign can help you get the smile you’ve been waiting for.
ICON Lesion Treatment
White Spot Lesions (WSLs) are little white spots that form on the surface of teeth, and are common after orthodontic treatment. They can also be caused by an enamel defect, trauma, or infection, that result in the demineralization of teeth.
ICON resin treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that can help reduce the appearance of WSLs, even “erasing” them completely for some patients.
To rid your smile of unsightly white spots, your dentist will gently remove the outer layer of enamel, and then apply a special dental resin. The resin helps to remineralize de-calcified areas, and will even out the shade of your tooth. The resin will be cured and your teeth will be polished, and you’ll have your smile back in no time at all.
Did You Know…
In-office whitening can brighten your smile by up to10 shades in a single visit.
Interested in cosmetic services in Lafayette?
Call (337) 993-3223 to book an appointment
Have Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry? Find Answers Here.
What dental issues can cosmetic dentistry solve?
Cosmetic dentistry from our Lafayette practice has a wide scope of treatment options that can solve nearly any aesthetic dental issue. Teeth whitening can brighten the smiles of patients with yellow or stained teeth. Dental bonding, shaping, & contouring can redefine the shape of teeth by fixing minor cracks and chips, and can be used to evening out your smile to get it for an aesthetically pleasing look. Veneers or Lumineers can fill small gaps, cover severe stains, and improve the appearance of slightly crooked or crowded teeth. Dental crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes, but they are only used on teeth that have experienced more severe damage or decay.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic dental treatments?
A good candidate for cosmetic dental care is a patient who is in good oral and overall health, and is looking to change or improve the look of their smile. Those who are experiencing oral health issues like gum disease, cavities, or occlusal (bite) issues, may require restorative or orthodontic treatments before any cosmetic procedures can begin.
Can I get more than one cosmetic dental procedure done at the same time?
Yes! It's a common practice to receive multiple cosmetic dental treatments in a single appointment. Some procedures, such as dental bonding and enameloplasty, are almost always performed together. Cosmetic dental makeovers utilize a combination of multiple dental treatments to completely transform a patient's grin.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by dental insurance?
Although every insurance plan is different, most do not cover cosmetic dental care, as cosmetic cases are often listed as non-essential, elective, treatments. Some services, like veneers or dental crowns, may be partially covered by some insurance plans, as they may provide restorative benefits in certain cases, although this is more of an exception rather than the rule. As a result, cosmetic treatment is often paid out-of-pocket by most patients. The best way to find out the scope of your coverage is to get in touch with your insurance provider directly. However, you can always give our Lafayette dental team a call as well to see if we can provide you with discounts or financing options, so you can achieve the smile you deserve without breaking the bank.
Did You Know…
Cosmetic dentistry can make it easier to take care of your smile.