What You Should Know Before Getting Cosmetic Dental Work

If a small coffee stain that won’t go away or a tiny chip on your front tooth keeps catching your eye every time you look in the mirror or causing you to smile with your lips closed, you’ve probably looked into cosmetic dental treatments like professional teeth whitening or dental veneers. The pressure to have a great smile is a heavy one. In fact, the CDC reports that nearly 18% of people believe the appearance of their mouth and teeth affects their self-confidence during job interviews. 

Continue reading if cosmetic dental treatments are on your horizon to get a clear understanding of how to prepare, how to choose the right treatment options, what to expect during common treatments, and where to find the best cosmetic dentist in San Francisco.

Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dental Treatment for Your Smile Makeover

The right cosmetic dental treatment should solve what’s bothering you while protecting as much natural tooth structure as possible. Most people seek out a smile makeover because they have stubborn dental stains, chipped teeth, teeth with worn edges, or uneven gumlines. Common cosmetic treatment options include:

• Professional teeth whitening: Best for surface stains and brightening your smile better than over-the-counter teeth whitening. 
• Dental bonding: A fast fix for small chips or rough edges if you’re unable to get veneers.
• Dental veneers: Thin porcelain covers that change the shape, size, and color of front teeth, often used when you want a bigger change than what professional whitening or dental bonding can provide.
• Tooth-colored crowns: A custom, natural-looking restoration after a large dental filling. 
• Gum contouring: Reshapes an uneven or wide gum line. 
• Invisalign: Clear aligners that work like traditional metal braces to reposition teeth into alignment.

Before you can start your cosmetic dental journey, you’ll need to have good oral health. This means getting untreated tooth decay or gingivitis taken care of. 

How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?

Costs can vary widely because it really depends on what treatments you’re getting done. Simple treatments like professional teeth whitening or dental bonding don’t cost as much as more complex or permanent treatments like dental veneers or Invisalign. Dental insurance can sometimes help if your cosmetic treatment also benefits the overall health of your mouth. Commonly, this includes orthodontic treatments. For costs not covered under dental insurance, payment plans or CareCredit are great options. 

How to Keep Your Smile Makeover Looking Fresh

Keeping your smile makeover looking bright and beautiful, you simply have to stay committed to good oral hygiene at home and keep up with your bi-annual visits to the dentist: 

• Brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least twice a day and floss once a day to keep plaque and tartar from building up
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your tooth enamel 
• If you clench or grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to prevent chips and premature wear 
• Avoid chewing on ice or using your teeth as tools to open packages or tear non-food items 
• Limit frequent sipping on coffee, tea, red wine, or dark sodas
• Keep up with regular dental cleanings and exams so small issues get handled before they affect your results
• If professional teeth whitening is done, keep up with your maintenance whitening appointments 

Where to Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist in San Francisco for a Smile Makeover

At our modern dental clinic, Dr. Robert Soto blends an artist’s eye for shape, symmetry, and shade with careful dental planning, so your veneers, tooth-colored crowns, whitening, or Invisalign results always look natural. As a San Francisco native and a University of the Pacific School of Dentistry graduate, Dr. Soto is known for porcelain veneer work that’s refined, balanced, and built to function as well as it looks. 

Our team uses precision scanning and digital dental imaging to plan and execute every treatment with the highest level of accuracy. We stay up-to-date with ongoing training so the details are always handled with unmatched skills.

Ready to bring your dream smile to life with the best cosmetic dentist in San Francisco?