Cosmetic dentistry in Springfield
A smile you are happy to show.
Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments that improve how your smile looks, and many can help it work better too. We start by making sure your teeth and gums are healthy.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is any treatment, or combination of treatments, that helps give you the smile you want. Being happy with how your smile looks matters, just as having a healthy smile does.
Many cosmetic treatments can also help your mouth work better. Veneers, crowns, bridges, and implants can improve both the look and the function of your teeth, and covering a chipped tooth with a crown or veneer can help protect it from further damage.
What cosmetic dentistry can address
Cosmetic treatments can help with stained or yellowed teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, crooked or crowded teeth, gaps or uneven spacing, teeth of uneven size or shape, missing teeth, a gummy smile, and noticeable silver fillings.
The right treatment depends on what you want to change. Stains from coffee, tea, cola, red wine, or smoking may respond to teeth whitening. For discoloration that whitening does not fix, porcelain veneers can be an option, and veneers can also help with minor gaps, crowding, or crookedness. Dental crowns may be an option for more serious damage.
To straighten teeth, we offer Invisalign clear aligners and traditional braces. Dentures and dental implants can replace missing teeth.
Healthy teeth and gums come first
Before we whiten, straighten, or make other cosmetic changes, we check the health of your teeth and gums with an exam and cleaning. If you have a cavity or signs of gum disease, we treat that first. Some patients may need restorative work, such as fillings, root canals, crowns, or a deep cleaning, before cosmetic treatment.
Once your mouth is healthy, we talk with you about what you dislike about your smile and what you would like to change. No single treatment is right for everyone, so we put together a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. For some people that is as simple as whitening, while others may need more involved treatment.
Each option has trade-offs, such as how quickly it works, what it costs, and how long the results last. We can go over them with you for the treatments you are interested in.
Keeping your new smile
Keep up with your brushing and flossing. Brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Professional cleanings at least twice a year help keep your smile healthy and give your dentist a chance to check for anything that needs care.
Different treatments have different aftercare needs, so ask your dentist about the specific steps for your procedure. People often find that once they love their smile, they are more motivated to take care of it.
Is this right for me?
Cosmetic dentistry may be a good fit if you:
- Hide your smile or cover your mouth when you talk or laugh
- Have stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth
- Have chipped, cracked, or uneven teeth
- Have gaps, crowding, or crooked teeth
- Have missing teeth or noticeable silver fillings
- Have healthy teeth and gums, or are ready to treat any problems first
What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
- An exam and cleaning to check the health of your teeth and gums.
- Treatment for any cavities or gum disease before cosmetic work begins.
- A conversation about what you would like to change about your smile.
- A treatment plan based on your needs and goals, which may include whitening, veneers, orthodontics, or other options.
- Aftercare steps for your specific treatment, plus regular cleanings.
Questions we hear
Cosmetic dentistry FAQs
Is cosmetic dentistry only about looks?
Not always. Many cosmetic treatments, such as veneers, crowns, bridges, and implants, can improve how your teeth work as well as how they look. Teeth whitening is mainly about appearance.
Am I a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
If something about your smile makes you unhappy, you may be. If you have tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will treat that first. Once your mouth is healthy, you can look at cosmetic options.
Which cosmetic treatment is right for me?
There is no single treatment that is right for everyone. It depends on what you want to change. Some people only need whitening, while others may benefit from veneers, crowns, or orthodontics. Talk with your dentist to find the right option for you.
Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?
Most cosmetic procedures are not likely to be painful. Different procedures have different recovery and aftercare needs, so ask your dentist what to expect for the treatment you are considering.
Will my results look natural?
Most cosmetic procedures today can look natural, so it may not be obvious to others that you have had dental work done.
Ready when you are
Let’s make your next visit something to smile about.
New patients are welcome. Call us or send a request, and we will help you take the next comfortable step.
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