Cosmetic Dentistry
Discover the best Cosmetic Dentistry for a radiant smile!
We are confident we have one of the best cosmetic dental team worldwide, as we have two accredited dentists by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dr. Meza has created a training system in order to have a team that delivers predictable and consistent results. Only you know the imperfections that make you feel self-conscious about your smile. With our smile design, we can recreate your smile to achieve the results you have been searching for.
Don’t worry about the current status of your teeth. It doesn’t matter if some of your teeth are chipped, cracked, or missing, our cosmetic dentists can achieve amazing results by using a variety of special treatments such as dental crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, dental composites, and more.
Types of cosmetic dentistry procedures
Dental Crowns
Uses of Dental Crowns:
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of teeth left.
- To hold a dental bridge in place.
- To cover severely discolored or crooked teeth.
- To be placed on top of a dental implant.
- To make a cosmetic modification.
Advantages of dental crowns:
- Improve the color and the shape of the tooth or teeth.
- They provide the best possible protection to a heavily broken down tooth.
- Crowns last longer than any other type of dental restoration including all types of filling and implants.
Disadvantages of dental crowns:
- The preparation for a crown entails grinding away some tooth structure and that is irreversible.
Dental crowns can either be placed over a prepared existing tooth, or over an implant with the help of an abutment.
Dental Veneers
A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell or layer made of a special material, normally porcelain, placed over a tooth to improve the aesthetics of a smile and to protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Our porcelain veneers are digitally made at our latest technology dental lab.
Porcelain veneers can last up to 15-20 years, but of course, like natural teeth, it all depends on the patient’s health habits and are still susceptible to damage.
Uses of dental veneers:
- To restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored.
- To restore multiple teeth to make a full smile makeover.
- To close gaps between teeth.
- To improve the appearance of teeth when they have worn edges or appeared crooked.
Advantages of dental veneers:
- They provide a natural tooth appearance.
- The enamel is not completely removed during the preparation.
- Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant.
- Offer a conservative approach, since not a lot of grinding takes place, to changing a tooth’s color and shape and with simpler procedure than the crowns.
Disadvantages of dental veneers:
- The process is not reversible.
- Because some of the enamel has been removed, your tooth may or may not become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
To place a dental veneer, teeth must be slightly worn down to make room for the new layer, as well as ensure a proper surface to cement the veneers.
Teeth Whitening
There are different methods to whiten the color of your teeth, but at Meza Dental Care, we prefer to use the chairside light whitening system since it´s used for fast, medical-grade whitening of strongly discolored teeth. Medical tooth whitening can also be used as an alternative and more conservative treatment for cosmetic improvement.
Types of teeth whitening:
Advantages of professional teeth whitening:
- This procedure guarantees your teeth will get whiter in less time and with long-lasting results.
- Treatment is customized to your needs by cosmetic experts
Disadvantages of tooth whitening:
- Whitening is not a one-time procedure. If you want to maintain the brighter color, you’ll need to repeat it from time to time.
- Sometimes you get sore teeth or gums resulting from the bleaching treatment (this discomfort disappears when the tooth bleaching is discontinued)
It’s important to note that while most stains can be removed through whitening, a discoloration issue may sometimes need crown or veneer.
Dental Composites
Dental composites or resins are types of synthetic resins used in dentistry as restorative material or adhesives. It is a tooth-colored mixture used to restore decayed teeth and for cosmetic improvements of the smile.
Dental composite resins also have certain properties that will benefit patients according to the patient’s cavity. It has a micro-mechanic property that makes it more effective for filling small cavities where amalgam fillings are not as effective and could, therefore, fall out.
Use of dental composites:
- Esthetic tooth-colored restoration.
- Filling cavities.
- Improving/modifying tooth size and shape.
- Masking discolored teeth via composite veneering.
Advantages of dental composites:
- They look great since they can be matched to your natural tooth color.
- They do not contain mercury, which can be bad for you.
- Conservation of tooth structure.
- Long-lasting.
- Can be repaired.
- Bonds to tooth structure.
- Economic restorative material.
Disadvantages of dental composites:
- They can be less resistant than other materials.
The same way a dental composite can add material to make a tooth longer or wider, it is also possible to remove material to shape your teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry F.A.Q.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry covered by Insurance in the USA?
In the USA, cosmetic dentistry is typically not covered by traditional dental insurance plans. Most dental insurance plans focus on providing coverage for preventive and necessary dental procedures, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, and sometimes basic restorative treatments like crowns and bridges. These procedures are considered essential for maintaining oral health.
Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, is primarily focused on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth and smile, rather than addressing immediate dental health issues. Some common cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants for aesthetic purposes, and smile makeovers.
Since cosmetic procedures are considered elective and not essential for the maintenance of oral health, they are usually not covered by standard dental insurance policies. However, there may be some exceptions or partial coverage for certain cosmetic treatments depending on the specific insurance plan and its terms.
It’s essential for individuals considering cosmetic dentistry procedures to carefully review their dental insurance policy and talk to their insurance provider to understand what aspects of cosmetic dentistry might be covered, if any.
How expensive is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific procedure or treatment being performed, the complexity of the case, the dentist’s experience and expertise, the location of the dental practice, and the materials used.
Generally, cosmetic dentistry tends to be more expensive than regular dental procedures because it involves specialized skills, advanced techniques, and high-quality materials to achieve aesthetic improvements. Some cosmetic dentistry procedures may require multiple appointments and extensive work to achieve the desired results, contributing to the overall cost.
Additionally, if multiple cosmetic procedures are combined to create a comprehensive smile makeover, the overall cost will naturally be higher.
How long does Cosmetic Dentistry take?
The duration of cosmetic dentistry procedures can vary significantly depending on the type of treatment and its complexity. Some cosmetic procedures can be completed in a single visit, while others may require several appointments over an extended period.
Here are some common cosmetic dentistry procedures and their typical time frames:
- Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening procedures typically take about 1 to 2 hours to complete. A single session is often enough to achieve noticeable results. Take-home teeth whitening kits may require multiple applications over a week or two to achieve the desired level of whiteness.
- Dental Veneers: The process of getting dental veneers usually involves two to three appointments. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and take impressions. Temporary veneers may be placed while the permanent ones are being fabricated. In the subsequent visit, the custom veneers are bonded to the teeth.
- Dental Implants: Dental implant procedures can take several months to complete, including the healing and integration of the implant with the jawbone. The process involves placing the implant, allowing time for osseointegration (fusion of the implant with the bone), and finally attaching the dental crown or prosthetic tooth to the implant.
- Dental Crowns: The process of getting a dental crown usually requires two appointments. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared, and impressions are taken. A temporary crown may be placed. In the second visit, the permanent crown is cemented onto the tooth.
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