It’s amazing how much communication we do with our smile. From the shy half smile to the full toothy grin we constantly send messages to others. And we all have to admit that we form opinions about others based solely on their smile.
A beautiful smile conveys friendliness, warmth, caring and tells others you care about yourself, too. But, very few of us have the perfect smile. We may have missing, crooked or discolored teeth that keep us from using that great tool of communication, our smile, to the full. Some have spent years hiding unsightly teeth and experienced the resulting embarrassment and social awkwardness. With Peoria, IL cosmetic dentistry, (with a Dunlap, IL office) you can love your smile.
Cosmetic dentistry was designed to help people fix their smile flaws and have the smile that truly communicates who they are inside. It can be as simple as whitening your teeth to give you a dazzling, youthful smile or something more complex, like using implants to replace missing teeth.
The skill of a cosmetic dentist goes beyond just restorative dentistry. A cosmetic dentist will help you not only with the technical aspects of smile design but bring the eye of an artist to your dental care. He’s not only an engineer, he’s also an architect.
What do you want to communicate? A beautiful, warm, youthful smile can help you do it. Contact our Peoria or Dunlap, IL cosmetic dentistry office for a consultation on your smile design.
Providing Dunlap and Peoria, IL cosmetic dentistry services.
Statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.
- 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.
- Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
Q: I don’t like my teeth or my smile – what can I do?
Dr. Costaras: There are many options in cosmetic dentistry today that range from simple procedures like teeth bleaching and tooth-colored fillings to more extensive treatment like porcelain veneers and full mouth reconstruction. The dentist must take a comprehensive approach to assessing the patient’s current dental health and cosmetic goals. Successfully performed, cosmetic and restorative procedures can actually improve a patient’s dental function.
Some patients seek a cosmetic Smile Makeover, in which the visible teeth in the front of the mouth are renewed and refreshed through the use of porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges. These patients may have stained or chipped teeth, teeth that are misshapen or poorly sized, or gaps between their teeth. Even teeth that are slightly crooked can be corrected through veneering, without orthodontics.
Some patients require more extensive dental reconstruction due to worn dentition, missing or damaged teeth, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. In a full mouth reconstruction, every tooth in the mouth is restored to ideal dental function and esthetic appearance. Reconstruction also corrects the patient’s jaw position and alleviates dental/facial pain and related symptoms in those patients suffering from wear and dysfunction.
The exceptional quality of dental materials available today allows me to complete smile transformations that are beautiful, functional and long-lasting. Porcelain restorations are custom-crafted to match each patient’s desired shape and color. While many patients choose a completely natural look for their new smile, others take the opportunity to create a dazzling, bright smile that really “pops.”
Q : How do I choose the right dentist for me?
Dr. Costaras: Continuing education is important, a valid credential (like the AACD’s Accreditation) is also a good indication of a level of skill that is important for delivering excellent results. Ask to see before and after’s of the dentist’s work on patients with similar issues, and discuss the dentist’s degree of experience with various procedures.
Another major factor to consider is how altering the esthetic appearance of your teeth will impact your bite and jaw muscles. It is important that your cosmetic dentist is trained in neuromuscular dentistry and understands the relation between the teeth, jaw joints, and jaw muscles. Failing to consider this can cause serious problems like TMJ (Tempormandibular Joint Disorder), which can result in severe headaches, jaw pain, neck and back pain, teeth clenching or grinding, and many more issues. We’ve seen many patients in our office who had a beautiful smile but due to incorrect positioning of the bite, they were actually chipping and breaking away their existing crowns and veneers and were experiencing TMJ problems.
Q: What will my new smile look like?
Dr. Costaras : I work with my patients to find a look that’s right for them. A smile enhancement can be made to look dramatic and natural at the same time. I use photographs and models to show my patients what to expect.
Q: Is my new smile permanent?
Dr. Costaras: With good home care and regular visits to your dentist, modern materials can last for many years and possibly decades. Like most things, excellent maintenance will extend the life of your dental restorations.
Q : How much does it cost to get a great smile?
Dr. Costaras : Like most services, cost will vary based on the time required and the difficulty of the procedures. Generally, improving a smile will require a combination of treatment options such as bleaching, reshaping gums and using bonded materials (resin or porcelain) to improve the appearance of teeth.
Q : I have dental insurance. Will it pay for my new smile?
A : Most dental insurances have very low total benefits per year, which may offset the cost of regular checkups, but probably won’t pay toward cosmetic services. Insurance is a business, and as such, your carrier will often contract to pay for the least expensive option instead of the best solution for your particular needs or desires. We will work to maximize your benefits, and may have suggestions for alternative methods of financing so you can obtain the treatment of your choice.