Are you planning to have some cosmetic dentistry done? Are you comfortable with how your treatment is being arranged? What is the best way to plan for cosmetic dentistry? Not all dentists do comprehensive assessments of your cosmetic dental issues. If you feel dissatisfied by the condition of your smile, we suggest that you get at least one second opinion with a cosmetic dental specialist.
Our practice is proud to offer artistic smile design, which involves a detailed assessment of your oral health, with a full cosmetic dentistry planning process to bring about your ideal appearance. That might simply involve teeth whitening or it could also involve restorative work like dental implants. Even with poor oral health or missing teeth, we can work with you to help you effect a stunning transformation!
Having a beautiful, radiant smile can make a big difference in your life. Not only can it improve your self esteem, according to a recent study, the quality of your smile can help you get a job, earn more money, and enjoy a more successful dating life. However, as with all elective dental and medical procedures, you need to consider several factors before planning cosmetic dentistry treatment. Make sure that you are getting all of the information to ensure the most positive cosmetic dental experience possible.
Planning Major Cosmetic Dentistry
Planning a major smile makeover will require many steps. This is particularly true if you are experiencing oral health problems like tooth decay, or advanced wear and tear. A cosmetic dentist can survey your smile, and take an account of every issue that needs to be addressed. They can also talk to you about how to make the most changes in the fewest steps. For many people, major cosmetic changes can be achieved with the placing of porcelain veneers. However, your dentist may need to provide dental crowns to teeth in poor condition. A porcelain made crown can provide you with a restoration that looks great when you smile.
Have a Clear Idea of Your Smile Goals
Cosmetic dentistry treatment can be very complicated. The outcome of one procedure will affect the mission of the next. Jumping into a major project without a clear idea of what you hope to achieve sets you up for failure. Determining exactly how you want your perfect smile to look or what you hope to achieve is very important. Only after both you and your dentist know the goal can you plan together.
The first step in determining your smile goals is to take a close look at your smile. Write down the aspects you like and those you do not like. Do your teeth look uneven or do you have triangular spaces at the gum line? Do you have old dental work that has aged or chipped? Another method involves scrolling through before-and-after smile galleries, finding a “before” smile that looks like your, and then reading up on how the “after” smile was achieved. All of these things help you help your dentist in the cosmetic dentistry planning phase.
Effective Dentist Patient Communication in the Cosmetic Dentistry Planning Process
Communication is key to reaching your smile goals. Dr. James Fondriest believes working collaboratively with patients offers the best route to achieving a successful smile. You have a unique vision of what a beautiful smile looks like. Through close conversation and a thorough review of the many options available, you and Dr. Fondriest can develop an ideal treatment plan to help you achieve your distinctly beautiful smile.
How Does Cosmetic Dentistry Fit into Your Lifestyle?
Seeking cosmetic dental treatment requires an honest assessment of your lifestyle. If certain lifestyle factors contradict cosmetic treatments and you feel unwilling or unable to change those factors, you may want to postpone cosmetic treatment. For instance, if you smoke heavily and do not practice consistent oral hygiene, the brightening effects of an at-home whitening system will likely be short lived.
On the other hand, you can look at planning and undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures as a way to motivate positive lifestyle changes. For example, if you invest the time and money to have beautiful teeth veneers placed, that can prompt you to quit using tobacco and start brushing and flossing regularly to help prolong the life of your new, radiant smile.
Should I Improve My Oral Care Before Starting the Journey?
Your dentist can talk to you about keeping your smile in great shape before treatment. Part of this approach can involve tackling particular issues, like teeth grinding, which can have a negative effect on your smile. It can also simply mean keeping up with good dental care practices at home, attending regular checkups, or tooth whitening.
Learn more about cosmetic dentistry planning
We believe in helping patients enjoy amazing dental transformations. If you have concerns about the way you look when you smile, schedule an appointment to find out what cosmetic procedures can help you address your goals! Dr. Fondriest and our team proudly serve residents of Chicago and all surrounding communities in the Chicago Metro area.
To schedule a cosmetic consultation, contact us today at (847) 234-0517.
Our practice serves the Chicago metropolitan area including the North Shore and Northwest suburbs