What is the main focus of today's discussion?
Today I wanted to talk to you a bit about cosmetic dentistry. Healthy teeth and gums are the most important thing, but some of the more fun and enjoyable things of dentistry involve improving people's smile and giving them more confidence and a better quality of life.
What cosmetic dentistry options are available at your office?
So just to go over a number of things that we do at the office. We do have clear aligner therapy and I also do traditional orthodontics. Whitening, of course, we have a number of whitening options at the office. We have over-the-counter products that are a little better than the Crest White Strips. We have custom-made take-home bleaching trays, and we also have in-office whitening with Zoom, is the name of the brand of the company that I use. At my office, if you get Invisalign or any other clear aligner therapy, it does come with free whitening.
Can you tell us more about veneers?
Veneers are half of a crown. It's what most people in Hollywood have. Veneers have been around for a long time. There have been some really cool advances in more recent years that allow you to do no-prep veneers that don't look fake or chicklety at all. We can get printing or zirconia milling, which is a very nice, very strong ceramic down to about 0.2 millimeters. Now in the last couple of years with the advancements in zirconia bonding and milling this down to 200 microns and 3D printing, we have some really, really cool, very safe, 100% reversible veneer options.
What are some other services you offer for smile improvement?
We also do smile makeovers at my office. We do both implant-supported smile makeovers. So if you've lost a number of teeth and you want an implant-supported denture, you might want to consider that more like a bridge. We can do that with teeth that are supported by implants. We can also do that on your natural teeth. So if your teeth are in good shape, they're just really worn or beat up, we can do a full mouth rehabilitation or smile makeover for you that involves crowns or veneers on at least half of the teeth, sometimes all of the teeth.
What is your experience and philosophy in dentistry?
I love dentistry. I've been doing it 15 years. I'm a member of the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics. If you're going somewhere, you want to go somewhere with somebody who's on top of the changes in the field, can offer you a number of options so that everything doesn't, you know, that old saying, if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. We do whitening, we do orthodontics, both clear aligners and traditional braces. We do veneers. I do crowns. I do smile makers, overs. I do implants. I do all in X.
What if a patient requires major dental work?
We can also bring in an anesthesiologist to the office. So if you're doing some major work and you want to go to sleep for it and just wake up with your smile fixed, that's an option too.
What is the approach to cosmetic dentistry at my office?
At my office, the approach to cosmetic dentistry is patient-centered. I engage with patients to understand their concerns and desires for their smiles before discussing potential treatment options. There is no pushy or salesy attitude.
What are some common cosmetic dentistry services offered at my office?
My office provides a range of cosmetic dentistry services. These include Invisalign or teeth alignment, teeth whitening, veneers, and regular orthodontic therapy. I firmly believe that all dentistry should essentially be cosmetic dentistry. The goal is always to mimic or enhance the natural shape, size, and form of the tooth for an improved appearance.
Teeth whitening is one of the most cost-effective and simple ways to enhance a smile. My office offers both over-the-counter products and professional methods, including in-office and take-home options. I regard veneers as a viable solution for those who don't wish to invest time in Invisalign or whitening, or for those encountering discoloration issues beyond the scope of these treatments. However, like any bonded material, veneers may need to be replaced or redone over time.
What is the age range for cosmetic dentistry?
There's no age limit for cosmetic dentistry at my office. While we typically wait until a child's jaw is fully developed (generally around age 12) before considering additive procedures. I have successfully treated patients well into their 90s.
Do cosmetic dentistry procedures involve pain?
Many cosmetic dentistry procedures do not involve pain as they often don't require drilling on the tooth. However, for procedures like crowns or veneers that do involve drilling, anesthetic is used to ensure patient comfort.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?
Cosmetic dentistry is typically not covered by insurance. However, my office provides financing options and my staff can assist with any questions about insurance coverage.
How can one get in touch with my office for more information or to set up a consultation?
To know more or to set up a consultation, you can call my office at (703) 451-4500.
At Dulac Dental of Springfield, we use only tooth colored restorative materials and offer gold work by request. If you need a filling or crown, it will be matched to the color of your surrounding teeth. See our general dentistry page to learn more about the services we offer including bleaching, fillings, crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays, veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry services in Springfield, VA. With our CEREC technology, you can get your crown the same day.