Have you been considering improving your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry? You may be wondering what kinds of questions you should ask your dentist at your consultation. After all, the more you know, the easier it will be to decide if elective dentistry is right for you. Here are some important queries that you can discuss to help make sure you’re making a the right decision for your smile!
Will My Treatment Hurt?
A common reason many people don’t visit the dentist regularly and opt out of cosmetic treatments is the fear of pain. The good news is that most cosmetic treatments are not painful, and for those that have any discomfort, your dentist will numb your mouth before beginning your procedure.
Furthermore, for patients who are anxious or afraid, your dentist offers sedation dentistry options to help keep you feeling calm and relaxed during your procedure and can even be used for those that aren’t typically painful, like a routine exam and cleaning or cosmetic bonding.
How Long Is the Recovery?
The recovery time of your cosmetic dentistry procedure depends on the procedure itself. While some can be done same day and without any numbing, others may require a local anesthetic and could take a day or two to recover from. Be sure to check with your dentist about this during your consultation. That way, you’ll know if you need to take time off from work, arrange a ride home, or stock up on pain medication and a cold compress for recovery.
How Much Does It Cost / Can Dental Insurance Cover It?
The cost of your treatment will vary depending on the type of procedure, and if it’s covered by your dental insurance. However, dental insurance doesn’t typically cover most cosmetic dentistry procedures unless they have medical benefits. So, for example, they may cover a portion of a porcelain veneer if the tooth underneath is damaged, but they won’t cover professional whitening even if your teeth are stained.
If you’d like to make your treatment more budget-friendly, your dentist may also offer third—party flexible financing options that can break your total cost into affordable payments. If you’d like to learn more about these programs, speak to your dental team at your consultation.
How Long Will My Results Last?
You’ve invested your time and money in dental treatment; naturally, you want it to last for as long as possible. For certain procedures such as porcelain veneers, you will need to have them redone eventually, but for others you might not. Determining whether you’re prepared to commit financially to re-treatment can help you decide what type of procedure to get, but it can also help you understand where the value lies. For example, while those veneers may be more expensive up front, they may not need a redo for up to 20 years. Conversely, cosmetic bonding may be less expensive up front, but this treatment only lasts around five years.
How Do I Care for My New Smile?
Finally, ensuring that your new smile lasts as long as possible can help you save time and money. Thus, it is important that you understand how to properly care for your results. For porcelain veneers you might need to switch brush-strength and to a different toothpaste, while with professional whitening it’s recommended that you modify your diet to ensure that you don’t re-stain your teeth. Thus, be sure to ask your dentist if you need to do anything different to keep your teeth looking as great as they will on day one!
Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad question, so don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for clarification about any cosmetic dental procedures. This can help ensure that your results last as long as possible, and that you make the right choice for your smile!
About Dr. Kiesel
Dr. Donna Kiesel believes in treating her patients with kindness and compassion, no matter the state of their oral health. That’s why she goes above and beyond to hand-select the best support team to assist with your care. Dr. Kiesel is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, and has taken continuing education courses with the renowned Spear Education.
If you’re interested in improving your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, let Dr. Kiesel and the team show you how we can help. With over 30 years’ experience improving smiles in the Irving and Coppell area, she’s proud to help you reveal the gorgeous grin you deserve!
To schedule a consultation, please visit our website or call us today at 972-420-4488.