Area Experts Explore Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Brighten Smiles and Soothe Pain
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Photos courtesy of Grove Dental Photos courtesy of Grove and a conversation.” She suggests sharing your goals for the appearance of your teeth, so that the dentist can address The Best Smile your main concerns. “I tell people, ‘Beware of the Internet if you’re going to invest Is a in expensive cosmetic dentistry. Do your homework. Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic dentistry, because you need H e to address the underlying issues.’” She l gives an example: “You may want veneers e i but just need straightening.” She finds that a “most patients are asking for a better smile.” lthy Sm “Think of cosmetic dentistry as a set of stairs,” says Michael Bond, D.D.S., of Naperville, explaining that each step represents a higher level of complexity, Area Experts Explore Cosmetic Dentistry Options intervention and expense, depending to Brighten Smiles and Soothe Pain on the need at hand. The first step for an improved appearance would be tooth whitening, which he calls “one of the most By Sara Pearsaul Vice effective methods and best for cost.” Next would be cosmetic shaping, bonding or covering with veneers, followed by a full crown, which is made of porcelain and covers the entire tooth, and culminating with surgical implants for missing or weakened teeth. Michael W. Bennett, DDS of Grove Dental and his team consult with patient Terry J. of Lombard, Looking Good then prep him for treatment to give him a healthy smile. According to a 2015 survey of dentists can use at home to professional at-home coming up, such as a wedding, as well as by the American Academy of Cosmetic kits customized by the dentist or in-office for those who don’t have the time to devote Dentistry (AACD), “Eighty-six percent whitening using laser light that can to days or weeks of whitening treatments. of patients elect cosmetic treatments produce immediate results. Although whitening has been “found to improve physical attractiveness and Bond cautions against using the to be entirely safe to the tooth structure,” self-esteem.” The same study reports inexpensive products that you can buy in says Kevin Moss, D.M.D., a partner with that the most popular cosmetic procedures stores, which come with prefabricated trays Grove Dental Associates in Downers Grove, are whitening, bonding and veneers, which to hold the bleaching agents. “One size fits he advises against it for patients younger together totaled 84 percent of all usually fits nobody really well,” he says. than 16. “Their teeth are still developing.” the responses. Of course, many cosmetic The in-home whitening treatment that Whitening also may not be suitable for procedures are used to improve function dentists provide comes with customized people with crowns or veneers, which are as well as form, such as replacing teeth whitening materials and made-for-your- matched to the color of existing teeth osmetic dentistry may elicit images of perfect celebrity smiles, but local dentists that have been damaged or lost due mouth trays, which “keep the bleach away and will not change color with whitening. have something else in mind: healthy teeth and gums. When considering to an accident or decay. from the tissue” and prevent gum cosmetic dentistry procedures, the place to start is with an examination of your sensitivity. He believes that professional Bonding and veneers Coral health by a dentist. Then you can explore myriad new techniques and treatments that Whitening home whitening is more effective than Bonding and veneers can be used to fix can make your smile one of your best features. Whitening is the most popular quick in-office whitening treatments, chipped or mis-shapen teeth and gaps and “We start by making sure the patient has healthy gums and no cavities,” says Kimet cosmetic procedure, with options ranging although the one-hour office procedure is to improve overall appearance. “Veneers Abdullai, D.D.S., with Dental Care of Oakbrook. “Everything starts with a good exam from inexpensive over-the-counter kits you best for people who have a special occasion are very conservative,” Moss says. He 54 MARCH 2018 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | MARCH 2018 55 Smile! describes them as thin, porcelain facings For people with tooth loss, Singh the permanent tooth is affixed. In others, for one or more teeth, fabricated in a and other dentists offer implants. the permanent teeth can be bonded the custom shade to match the other teeth, Although dentures have come a long same day. “Literature supports both which do not require extensive alterations way in appearance, they tend to be an options,” Singh explains. to the tooth. A veneer “usually fits in front uncomfortable substitute for teeth. Now, For those with dentures, Vesna Sutter, and covers the tip of the tooth. We can give implants are considered the best long-term D.D.S., of Sunrise Dental Care in Geneva, patients a smile makeover and do it quickly.” option, dentists say, although they cost notes that mini-implants may help stabilize considerably more than dentures. dentures. The procedure involves placing Straightening “The lifespan of a crown is about five three or four small, narrow implants and Straightening is an option for young to seven years, while an implant lasts 25 to adding a housing to the denture so that it and old. While teenagers may want to rock 40 years,” says Rajan Sharma, D.D.S., an snaps onto the implants. “You can still a brightly colored set of braces, most endodontist and president of Eon Clinics, remove it,” she says. “It minimizes floating adults prefer their teeth be straightened in with multiple locations including Westmont so patients can really chew.” a way that isn’t noticeable. The Invisalign and Hoffman States. He explains that straightening system may be the answer. costs for an individual crown can add Ouch, That Bill Really Hurts! Straightening is accomplished with a series up over time, especially if a root canal is Of course, smile beautification comes of custom-made, clear aligners that fit over required. Unlike crowns, implants do not at a considerable cost. Professional the teeth and are changed every two decay. Implants have a titanium base that whitening costs an average of $357, weeks. The aligners can be removed to eat is anchored into the bone, which helps to according to the AACD study, while area or brush, but must be worn at least 22 prevent the bone loss that is caused by dentists report that implants can amount hours each day, Moss explains. to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of teeth Bye-Bye Teeth, Hello replaced. Dentures or Implants “There are a lot of different steps Like all health issues, prevention you can take to get the smile you is the key to oral health. Yes, you love and meet your budget,” Sutter really should floss. The good news observes. “You can ease into it.” from the Centers for Disease Control She recommends going in for a and Prevention is that fewer people consultation with an annual budget Photo courtesyAssociates of Periodontal Implant are losing all their teeth. But when in mind. Depending on the situation, tooth decay goes untreated, tooth cosmetic procedures may be done in loss is bound to follow, as teeth phases over a period of several years. loosen and bones deteriorate. Dental insurance usually doesn’t “The first thing that goes is the cover strictly cosmetic procedures, gums,” says Amarik Singh, D.D.S., and any coverage is limited. Sutter with Periodontal Implant Associates Amarik Singh, D.D.S. of Periodontal Implant Associates in Oakbrook relates that dental insurance Terrace discusses restorative options with one of his patients. in Oakbrook Terrace. “If you treat benefits haven’t changed for years, gum disease early enough, you can help missing teeth. “The implants are like your generally topping out at $1,500 a year. people avoid losing their teeth.” He natural teeth,” he notes. He advises that Restorative dentistry such as crowns may employs new, less invasive techniques to patients maintain their implants by having be covered in part, and dental offices can address gum disease, including pinhole gum them checked by the dentist every year or help you navigate coverage. Check to see rejuvenation. As the name implies, gum so to assess bone and tissue health. if the dental practice you choose covers recession is treated through a pinhole An implant can be done on one or the initial consultation on cosmetic opening in more individual teeth or an entire row dentistry free of charge. the gums, without the need for grafting of teeth. Sharma, Singh and other dentists Many practices also offer access to lines tissue from elsewhere. Another high-tech offer All-on-4® implants, which can of credit to pay for expensive procedures treatment is laser surgery for infected provide a full set of upper and/or lower such as implants over a period of years. gums. “It gives the ability to treat people teeth replacements, using only four Cosmetic dentistry “is not just for your in a much more comfortable way, as it implants to anchor the entire arch. In health,” Sutter says. “It really changes cleans infection and promotes healing some situations, the implant must heal people’s lives when you’re confident and at the same time,” he says. into the bone for several months before you can smile. n” 56 MARCH 2018 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING.