1) Can veneers or crowns fix my broken teeth?
Veneers and cosmetic dental crowns are a great way to reshape, reposition and contour crooked and broken down teeth. We use high strength ceramic materials to mimic the look and feel of your actual enamel. The teeth may or may not be slightly reduced or “polished” so that a porcelain covering can be placed over the existing structure. Doing this allows us to change the shape, position or color of a tooth. My goal is always to create a restoration that blends with your existing dentition. We make crowns and veneers that are indistinguishable from your existing dentition. This is where the science of dentistry overlaps with the art of dentistry…both are required to create long lasting, yet aesthetic crowns and veneers. This is what we are known for and why people search out Ivory for cosmetic dentistry treatment…we have extensive experience (evidenced by our cosmetic case gallery) delivering amazing results time and time again!
2) Will teeth whitening remove stain on my teeth?
There are three tiers to teeth whitening: 1) polishing that is done at cleanings to help remove surface stains and brighten the teeth 2) over the counter products like Crest White Strips are a good option for some patients…those who require only slight stain removal. It is difficult to fully whiten or change the color of teeth with over the counter products 3) professional whitening systems like our Kor whitening system are the gold standard for effectively and predictably removing teeth stain AND deep whitening the actual tooth structure. There is no cutting corners or “whitening in 1 session”…no lasers, no lights…In our experience these types of systems are unpredictable and simply ineffective. Our whitening works well every time. It involves making custom fitting teeth trays and using our special whitening solution. In my opinion, (almost) everyone should have take home teeth whitening. It is simply the easiest and most cost effective way to make your teeth look great.
3) Does reshaping my gums help create a less gummy smile?
Does your smile seem to show as much gum tissue as teeth when you smile? Recontouring your gingiva, or “gum tissue” may be a great option for you. Often this procedure is used in conjunction with veneers, but can also be used to simply “lift” the gum tissue in a way that creates a more toothy smile. This procedure is done under local anesthetic and involves making small incisions in the gum tissue. We often partner with a specialist or periodontist to complete this procedure.
4) Is teeth bonding an option to fix the gap between my front teeth?
Composite bonding or “teeth bonding” is a great, minimally invasive and aesthetic cosmetic treatment. If your teeth are healthy, composite bonding can be used to close gaps between teeth. Often this procedure doesn’t even require any shots and is pain free. Composite is a tooth colored resin, or white filling, that matches the color of your existing tooth. It is bonded (basically a fancy glue), to your tooth’s existing enamel. This procedure is very conservative, and usually requires minimal, if any reduction of your existing tooth.
5) Is cosmetic dental treatment covered by my insurance plan?
Cosmetic treatments are almost always NOT included in your insurance plan. Insurance will cover treatment on teeth that are fractured, missing, broken, infected or have decay. So, plan to pay out of pocket for cosmetic dental procedures like: cosmetic crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, gum recontouring and teeth bonding.
6) Will teeth whitening change the color of my fillings and crowns?
Teeth whitening is an amazing and predictable treatment to make your teeth look amazing. If you drink wine, coffee or any other staining drink or food: chances are your teeth are only getting darker and darker each year. We are experts in teeth whitening and we have seen our system deliver predictable and life changing results time after time. We make custom made bleaching trays that are trimmed specifically to ensure a perfect fit against your teeth. Our professional Kor teeth whitening gel is in our experience, the best available. Whitening works by removing tiny stain particles imbedded in the enamel layers of a tooth. People are surprised to learn that enamel is not 100% solid, and in fact has network of micro tubules that extend through the crystal lattice. Whitening gel will penetrate these tubules and dissolve away the stain molecules that are embedded inside the enamel. Restorative materials like “white” fillings and porcelain do not stain internally and therefore do not whiten like natural teeth. If you whiten, and have front tooth fillings or crowns, you’ll notice that the natural teeth that are adjacent to the restorations will become whiter while the fillings/crowns stay the same shade. If the color change you are going for is dramatic - you’ll likely need to replace the fillings and crowns to match your new tooth shade after you are done whitening. After your new restorations are complete, you’ll need to do occasional (3-4 sessions) of whitening once or twice a year. This will keep your new tooth color stable and your restoration matching the adjacent natural teeth.
7) How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign is a great treatment option for patients that are looking for a low profile, minimally visible way to fix cosmetic dental crowding issues. It also is a very good option for fixing simple functional/bite issues like front tooth cross bites and overbites. Invisalign has a tiered cost system. This means that very short cases are often less costly than “full” orthodontic cases. Also, it is occasionally possible to treat only one arch vs both upper - which often reduces the fee. But, 90% of our cases are considered “full” cases and 90% of the time we need to treat both arches. Our price is all inclusive so that you don’t have to worry about add on charges. All of your trays, refinements, retainers, and whitening (included) is part of the one time charge. Expect invisalign to cost between $4500 to $6000 depending on your case type.
9) Are dental implants a good choice to replace my missing front tooth?
If you have a front tooth that is missing/lost you may be a candidate for dental implant replacements. Dental implants used in the “cosmetic zone” (front tooth smile area) are a great option for a permanent tooth replacement option. If the tissues are healthy and bone levels are adequate - a titanium tooth root “implant” can be placed in the area of the missing tooth. Then, a cosmetic crown and tooth anchor called an abutment can attach to the implant and create a life-like, durable and highly predictable tooth replacement solution. At our practice all patients are evaluated and offered solutions that are specific to their case. In some situations implants may not be the best option (or even at all possible). Every year your tooth is missing, the bone ridge that held the tooth will recede and shrink. As years go by the bone may get so thin in the area of the missing tooth that implants may not be an option. The cost for a front tooth implant and cosmetic implant crown can range between $3000-$5000 depending on the complexity of the case.
10) How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?
Before you dive head first into cosmetic dentistry treatment, it will be important to explore the costs. I always explain to patients that our cases are custom tailored to their hopes, dreams and expectations. Cosmetic dentistry treatments like: veneers, invisalign, bonding, teeth whitening, porcelain crowns and recontouring are all tools that the dentist can use to help make the dream come true. The beauty of cosmetic dentistry is that it is (usually) totally elective, meaning you never HAVE to do anything…you do it because you WANT it. During our planning phase we spend a great deal of time discussing the outcome you have pictured in your mind…we define your expectations and hopes. Then, I will let you know the options, or roads we could take to get there. How much we can accomplish and how beautiful we can make your smile. Usually this comes down to three factors…how much TIME, Energy and RESOURCES (money) you want to invest. I’m surprised that many patients come to consults with absolutely no idea how much their treatment solution may cost. At Ivory, we always are upfront with costs so there are no surprises, and I have added a “dental costs” section to our website (with explanations) to help patients research and decide if cosmetic dentistry options are right for them. So now, getting back to prices…there is wide range of prices depending on your “path”, but here is a short explanation of procedures and their associated costs…
Cosmetic Invisalign $3000 - $6000
Cosmetic Teeth Bonding $400 - $1000
Porcelain Crowns and Veneers $1400 - $1800
Professional Teeth Whitening $500 - $1000
11) How can invisalign improve my crooked tooth or misaligned smile?
Invisalign is a very powerful tool at our practice. Our cosmetic treatment philosophy tends to lean toward more conservative approaches for first line options…meaning: If your natural teeth are in good shape and are aesthetically pleasing, despite being crooked or misaligned, I would rather first move your teeth to the correct position. Invisalign plus teeth whitening is the bulk of what we recommend for many patients. Simply aligning your teeth and whitening them can create dramatic cosmetic results. At our practice, cosmetic invisalign orthodontics involves taking photos and 3D scans of your teeth. I then plan your case digitally and show you the before after images so you can decide if the treatment is a good fit for you. The treatment involves a series of clear trays that are changed out every 1-2 weeks. The trays are worn 23hrs a day and are only removed to eat/drink. I tell patients that if they do not plan to be compliant with this requirement (wearing them 23hrs a day) then they should not move forward with treatment! If you wear them properly - they will work….If you do not…they will not work. All of our invisalign cases include our best of the best “kor” teeth whitening system. Treatment times can range from 4- 24 months depending on the complexity of the case. Some patients will need further cosmetic treatment beyond invisalign/whitening - If a patient’s existing dentition is broken/chipped or full of existing fillings - then they may benefit from further restorative treatments like: veneers, composite bonding or crowns. Check out our INVISALIGN section to learn more!
12) How does one go about finding the best cosmetic dentist?
If you don’t have a referral from a close personal friend (referrals are always the best way to find a great provider)…The next best way to find the right provider is to start with a google search: “best cosmetic dentist near me”. You could also include your city: “best cosmetic dentist Minneapolis” for example. Start digging through the internet, checking out websites and example galleries. In todays world you can/should be able to get a good feel for a providers office vibe, culture and experience via their online experience. This is why Ivory Dental Group has spent a lot of thought and time on developing a website that communicates to patients HOW & WHY we are special. We are a premier cosmetic dental practice that loves connecting deeply with our patients. We love people and we love delivering beautiful cosmetic dental cases. You can see this clearly through the layout of our site and our very extensive before/after gallery. Any office you choose should have before/after case examples that highlight their skill and expertise. The proof is in the pudding! And you may see a photo that is exactly the same type of case that you are interested in! That case could be cosmetic composite teeth bonding, closing a front tooth gap, replacing an old and broken down porcelain crown, restoring worn and broken down teeth or making discolored and broken teeth look amazing with porcelain crowns and veneers! Narrow your list down to your favorite 2 or three providers and give them a call! Start with a consult and the get the ball rolling on making your new smile a reality!
13) How many crowns do I need to make my smile look great?
When we see patients for cosmetic dentistry consults this question is often asked. How many teeth does one have to fix or crown (or veneer) in order to make ones smile look great? Well…it all depends on how many teeth you show when you speak and smile. We most often recommend treating teeth in pairs (ex. front 2, front 4 and so on). This allows for symmetry. I always strive to create the most natural looking smile possible. A patient who has a great big beautiful smile that shows teeth all the way back to their first molars may want to save money and “only” treat the front 4 or 6…but often what happens is you create a visible interface between porcelain and natural teeth. While the porcelain teeth look great, the interface (when smiling and viewed from the side) between the crowns and the adjacent natural teeth can become quite visible and obvious…Making it noticeable that you’ve had work done. Although more expensive, extending the porcelain back to fill all of the visible tooth surfaces can create the most beautiful and natural looking smile possible. When all the teeth are covered with the same material - there is symmetry and uniformity. Take a look at some of cosmetic cases to see what might be possible for your smile :)
14) Am I too old for cosmetic dentistry?
I hear this question every now and then. The answer is flat out NO! I’ve placed implants on 90 yr old patients and completed full smile make over cases (20 crowns & veneers) on many patients in their 60’s and 70’s. If you have means and the time to transform your smile - why not do it! If you are ashamed or embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth and smile - cosmetic dentistry can be a life changing tool to give you the confidence to smile again. The process might be much easier than you ever thought. Crowns and veneer treatments often only take 3-4 weeks to complete. And the discomfort is typically much less than patients expected. No one is EVER too old to get back the confidence to smile! Set up a consult, come in and at least discuss what options are available.