Cosmetic Dentist Modesto, CA
More people seek treatment from cosmetic dentists than ever before to get the smile they have always wanted. From straightening crooked teeth to brightening yellowed ones, cosmetic dentists can enhance people's smiles through various procedures. A cosmetic dentist performs a range of treatments to improve the appearance of the teeth, gums, and bite.
Cosmetic dentistry is available at Great Smiles Dental in Modesto and the surrounding area. With new techniques and advanced technology, our team can help you achieve a more beautiful smile. Call us today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Why Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
A cosmetic dentist is a dental specialist who focuses primarily on cosmetic and aesthetic treatments for the purpose of enhancing patients' smiles. Cosmetic dentists can perform services such as dental bonding, teeth whitening, veneers, inlays and onlays, implants, and enamel or gum reshaping and contouring. In most cases, patients are referred to a cosmetic dentist by their primary dentist.
Patients generally choose or are recommended to go to a cosmetic dentist when their teeth are chipped, missing, or otherwise need adjustment. Since they receive specialized training, most people would choose a cosmetic dentist rather than a general dentist for even the most basic treatments. There are a variety of oral and general health benefits to each cosmetic procedure.
“Patients generally choose or are recommended to go to a cosmetic dentist when their teeth are chipped, missing, or otherwise need adjustment”
Benefits of Cosmetic Services
Dentist's Money Digest reports that the demand for cosmetic dentistry is trending upward and that the industry market is expected to reach $27.95 billion by 2024. There are several reasons for this trend, but DMD attributes it to two significant reasons: Americans have more disposable income to spend on their appearance, and 99% of Americans think that their smile is their most important social asset.
Cosmetic dentistry comes with numerous benefits, including:
- Improving the appearance of a smile
- Boosting self-esteem
- Increasing comfort
- Preventing further deterioration of a smile
- Helping the patient look younger
While many of the perks of cosmetic dental procedures involve appearance, many can contribute to the overall health and comfort of a smile. For instance, implants enhance comfort, strengthen the jawbone, and prevent further tooth loss.
“While many of the perks of cosmetic dental procedures involve appearance, many can contribute to the overall health and comfort of a smile.”
Types of Cosmetic Procedures
There are several types of cosmetic dentistry procedures for every want, need, and budget. Some of the more popular cosmetic procedures are veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, inlays and onlays, implants, and enamel reshaping and contouring.
- Veneers: Typically made of medical-grade ceramic, dental veneers are shells that the dentist has custom fit to the patient’s teeth. These shells resemble the natural teeth and look exceptionally realistic. A dentist may recommend veneers to resolve several issues, including everything from enamel loss to crooked teeth.
- Bonding: Dental bonding can help teeth that sustain damage due to decay, trauma, or severe discoloration. This process involves scraping out the decay or discoloration and filling it in with a material that matches the color of the tooth. The dentist then sculpts the material to match the tooth’s surface and cures it with a high-intensity light to achieve a natural-looking finish.
- Teeth Whitening: A simple and efficient cosmetic dental procedure, professional teeth whitening can drastically enhance the appearance of a smile. Professional tooth bleaching can restore teeth to their natural sheen quickly and much more effectively than at-home methods.
- Inlays and Onlays: If a tooth has mild to moderate decay but not enough tooth structure to support a filling, our cosmetic dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay. If the cusp of the tooth does not have any damage, then we can use an inlay, which goes directly on the tooth’s surface. If the cusp of the tooth has damage, then we would use an onlay, which covers the entirety of the tooth’s surface. Both inlays and onlays are made from a composite resin and attach to healthy teeth with a dental adhesive. In addition to improving the appearance of the smile, both options offer increased strength, restored shape, and protection from further deterioration.
- Implants: Dental implants replace lost teeth. To place an implant, our cosmetic dentist would first place a small titanium screw into the patient’s jaw at the site of the missing tooth. The dentist would then give the screw four to six months to fuse to the jawbone via a process called osseointegration. Once fused, we can place an abutment or crown onto the screw, thereby giving the patient a functioning and natural-looking tooth that is as secure as natural teeth.
- Enamel Shaping and Contouring: This procedure involves removing or reshaping enamel to give the patient’s teeth the desired shape and appearance. Good candidates for this procedure are those who have chipped or irregular teeth, crooked or overlapping teeth, or minor bite problems.
Each of these procedures is designed to enhance the appearance and function of the smile. However, bear in mind that for any cosmetic dentistry procedure to be successful, a general dentist will need to create a flawless foundation — "flawless," in this case, meaning free of plaque and tartar.
“Some of the more popular dental procedures are veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, inlays and onlays, implants, and enamel reshaping and contouring.”
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Preparing for a Visit
Before taking the next step to a more beautiful smile, people must prioritize their oral health. It is crucial to have healthy teeth and gums since unhealthy ones can interfere with the procedure and results. People should also make sure to do their research about treatments and plan financially beforehand. It is essential to think about budget, lifestyle, and cosmetic goals before seeking treatment.
People should prepare questions for their consultation. The consultation allows people to ask any questions regarding specific treatment options, treatment candidacy, potential results, and more. Asking the right questions and taking mental or written notes throughout the consultation will help determine whether a specific treatment is right for them.
“It is essential to think about budget, lifestyle, and cosmetic goals before seeking treatment.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What should someone do to prepare for a visit with a cosmetic dentist?
Q. Why should I choose to go to a cosmetic dentist?
Q. What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
Q. What are the types of cosmetic treatments?
Q. How do I find the right cosmetic dentist?
People Also Ask
Q. When is a dental restoration necessary?
Q. How should you choose the right treatment and cosmetic dentist?
Q. Why would someone want or need a complete mouth reconstruction?
Q. What are composite fillings?
Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist
We highly recommend the patient does their due diligence when attempting to find the right cosmetic dentist. Although many share the same skills and training, each cosmetic dentist has their own set of experiences and may focus on a few treatments. When given a referral, it is best to ask the dentist about the referred specialist, their experience, and their location. Patients can do their own research and ensure that they find a suitable one for their needs.
Aside from referrals, patients may seek out their own cosmetic dentist for personal needs. To find a suitable cosmetic dentist, view previous work on their website, check their credentials, and make a treatment wishlist. Be mindful of replicated or commercially-produced before and after pictures on company websites as they may not reflect the dentist's actual work. Upon visiting the dentist for the consultation appointment, ask questions and discuss your wishlist - make sure you are comfortable and feel they are a good fit for your cosmetic needs.
“To find a suitable cosmetic dentist, view previous work on their website, check their credentials, and make a treatment wishlist.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What cosmetic dentistry procedure is right for you?
A. Some cosmetic dental procedures, such as whitening, are done for strictly cosmetic purposes, while others, such as implants, contribute to one's appearance, comfort, and overall health. Some procedures help hide decay, while others disguise cracks, chips, or fractures. To pinpoint the best procedure for you, make a list of what you do not like about your smile. You should also schedule a visit with our dentist to discuss your oral health. Use your list and the dentist's recommendations to identify the procedures that may be right for you.
Q. Who is eligible for cosmetic dentistry?
A. Most people who are dissatisfied with their smiles are eligible for cosmetic dentistry. However, several factors play into the safety and success of certain procedures. Discuss the viability of a procedure with your cosmetic dentist, who should be transparent with you regarding your candidacy.
Q. Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
A. Like with all things related to insurance, the answer depends. Most insurance carriers typically will not cover cosmetic dental procedures if done for aesthetic purposes only. However, many policies have provisions regarding "acceptable grounds for coverage." Review your policy in-depth to see what is and is not covered, and under what conditions.
Q. Can children have cosmetic dentistry done?
A. They can! Children can benefit from more conservative cosmetic procedures such as bonding, braces, and whitening. A dentist may recommend cosmetic procedures following an accident or trauma.
Q. How long does it take to recover from a cosmetic dentistry procedure?
A. The answer all depends on the procedure you undergo. For instance, whitening and bonding require no recovery time. Implants, on the other hand, may require anywhere from six months to a year to heal.
Q. How long will my new smile last?
A. Again, the answer depends on what procedure you choose. Professional teeth whitening results can last for up to a year. Veneers can last for as long as 10 years but as few as five. Implants, when cared for properly, can last a lifetime.
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Dental Terminology
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business, license, and website security
- Great Smiles Dental was established in 2014.
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- We serve patients from the following counties: Stanislaus County and San Joaquin County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Modesto, Oakdale, Turlock, Tracy, Stockton, Lathrop, Ripon, Atwater, Salida, Manteca and Ceres
- CA (License #33512). View License Information and Specifics
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