It’s quite common for even healthy teeth to develop cosmetic flaws that can cause someone to feel self-conscious, but thankfully, none of them has to be permanent. If you’re tired of worrying about people noticing your stained, chipped, cracked, gapped, or crooked teeth, then the dentistry team and cosmetic dentist in Lincoln, NE at South Ridge Dental are ready and able to give you a smile that always fills you with confidence. Using our artistic touch and the treatments below, we can make any imperfection practically disappear behind a pristine white smile you’ll always be eager to show off. To learn more about your options and get started, contact us today.
Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Personalized smile makeover plans for every patient
Treatments can improve function & aesthetics at the same time
Results designed to look natural & last a lifetime
Veneers
Porcelain veneers have been a go-to treatment in Hollywood for decades, and that’s because this one procedure can fix/mask a multitude of cosmetic concerns at the same time. Extremely thin ceramic shells are placed over the front of the teeth, and with them, we can easily change their shape, size, and color to whatever you want. In just two appointments, we can give you the kind of smile that is always camera ready.
If one of your front teeth is in need of repair, you don’t have to worry about us giving you an unnatural-looking silver or gold restoration and calling it a day like most other dentists. Rather, we can now use high-quality dental porcelain to create a restoration that looks, feels, and functions just like real enamel. This material is both extremely strong and aesthetically pleasing, meaning you’ll be able to trust your repaired tooth whether you’re biting into an apple or flashing your smile.
Want to improve how your smile looks, but don’t have a lot of time? In just an hour or less, you can get rid of a stain, chip, or gap with direct bonding. Your dentist will apply a color-matched composite resin to your affected tooth, and then they’ll expertly shape it to fix any blemish you can imagine. The end result will be a tooth that looks like nothing was ever wrong with it!
With a take-home whitening kit from South Ridge Dental, you can literally make your smile 6-8 shades brighter while surfing the web or bingeing your favorite show. We’ll provide you with a set of mouth trays made just for you as well as a bleaching gel much stronger than anything you’ll find at the store or online. Just use our kit daily for about two weeks, and before you know it, those annoying coffee, wine, or tobacco stains will disappear!
Since dental insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry, you may be wondering what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket. Not long into your research, however, you’ll realize that pinpointing an exact price is difficult. After all, each treatment is completely customized to ensure flawless results. The good news is that there are several all-encompassing factors that play a role in the cost of cosmetic dentistry in Lincoln. To learn what they are, read on!
What Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Naturally, the first step is determining which cosmetic dental service is right for you. Depending on if you want to whiten, straighten, or balance your smile, our Lincoln cosmetic dentist will recommend one of the following:
Direct Bonding – With one of the lowest upfront costs, direct bonding is great for addressing minor imperfections, like small cracks and chips. It is important to note that the results typically last for a few years at a time, so it will need to be redone in the future.
Teeth Whitening – Wish your teeth were nice and white instead of yellow and dull? Teeth whitening is typically mid-range in terms of cost, but the results are well worth it. After all, one in-office treatment can lighten your teeth up to eight shades in a single visit!
Veneers – Veneers require the largest investment, but they also can last for well over a decade with proper care. So, they may end up being the most cost-effective in the long run!
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be An Investment Worth Making
Naturally, investing in cosmetic dentistry may feel like a big financial commitment, causing you to wonder if it’s really worth it. According to the millions of patients who have enhanced their smiles with the help of their cosmetic dentist, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Boosting your self-esteem can have several positive consequences, including improved confidence in both personal and professional settings. Plus, cosmetic dentistry often benefits your oral health too by providing you with a smile you’re truly proud to take care of.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Luckily, our team offers several ways to make cosmetic dentistry more affordable. That way, the cost isn’t what stands in your way of pursuing the gorgeous smile you’ve been dreaming of! Here are three ways we help our patients save:
CareCredit – Is spacing out your payments better for your monthly budget? With CareCredit, you can! This trusted third-party financier allows you to pick a payment plan that works best for you – often with little to no interest too.
In-House Membership Plan – With our in-house membership plan, you can save on a wide range of treatments designed to enhance your smile. Plus, there are no claims forms, annual deductibles, and other annoying red tape.
Special Offers – To help you keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum, we offer periodic specials, like 50% off teeth whitening. To learn about our latest offers, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
If you want to learn more about the cost of cosmetic dentistry in Lincoln, then the best course of action is to schedule a consultation. From there, our team can learn more about your smile goals and provide you with a more precise estimate!
Cosmetic Dentistry Frquently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about improving your smile with one of our cosmetic dentistry options? At South Ridge Dental, we want you to feel comfortable and confident about any treatment you choose. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about cosmetic dentistry. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help!
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Only About Looks?
Cosmetic dentistry aims to help your smile look and feel its best. Options like porcelain
veneers and dental bonding are designed to conceal dental imperfections like chips and cracks to improve
their appearance, but these services also help prevent bacteria from seeping into vulnerable areas of
your teeth. Metal-free dental crowns are a beautiful way to restore a broken or worn-down tooth’s
appearance, as well as its function and strength. In fact, some studies suggest that improving your
smile with cosmetic dentistry can cause a marked boost in at-home oral hygiene, since you’ll be
more attentive to how well you care for your smile!
Can My Child or Teen Benefit from Cosmetic Dentistry?
The appearance of a person’s smile plays a key role in their self-esteem, especially when
they’re younger. Unfortunately, there are plenty of ways your son or daughter may accidentally
chip, crack, or stain their teeth. While porcelain veneers are typically not recommended for children or
teenagers, many other options can easily, comfortably, and safely restore your little one’s pearly
whites. During their consultation, your Lincoln cosmetic dentist will carefully inspect their mouth to
ensure services like dental bonding or teeth whitening are right for them.
How Long Will It Take to Improve My Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry?
Each person’s journey towards their ideal smile will depend on their unique situation. There are a
number of factors that can influence the length of your treatment, including your age, how much work
needs to be done, and if any oral health issues need to be addressed beforehand. Usually, services like
porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and at-home teeth whitening kits will take just a few weeks to achieve
your desired results. However, dental bonding can erase imperfections in your smile in as little as a
single visit! We’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate on how quickly you can achieve
your optimal pearly whites during your consultation.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Painful?
At South Ridge Dental, your health and comfort are our top priorities. Before beginning your journey
towards a better smile, we’ll carefully inspect your teeth and gums to ensure they’re
healthy enough for your chosen treatment. Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can make certain
cosmetic procedures uncomfortable, and even influence their long-term success. If any problems are
detected, we’ll be more than happy to help you get your oral health back on track to ensure
enhancing your smile is as comfortable, efficient, and pleasant as possible.
What Causes the Discoloration of a Tooth?
Foods & Drinks: Some foods and drinks move into the outer layers of the teeth
and cause stains. This includes things like tomato sauce, red wine, tea, coffee, and chocolate.
Tobacco: Using tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, can
cause teeth to become yellow over time. According to clinical research, there is a higher prevalence
of discoloration in smokers vs. non-smokers.
Age: As one gets older, their teeth become brittle, allowing stains and yellowing
to occur.
Injuring: When tooth injuries are the root of the problem, the damaged teeth can
darken.
Antibiotics: If you took antibiotics as a child, it could be valuable to find out
which ones you were prescribed. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is a link
between taking tetracycline antibiotics as a child and permanent tooth discoloration.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Expensive?
Many people associate cosmetic dentistry with expensive treatments, but that doesn’t necessarily
have
to be the case. The costly reputation of cosmetic dentistry likely stems from the fact that dental
insurance
rarely covers cosmetic treatments, so they usually need to be paid for out of pocket. Improving your
smile
might seem costly at first, but you should consider the investment that you are making in your
self-esteem,
confidence, and quality of life.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
Once you are under the care of a trained professional, most cosmetic dental treatments are perfectly
safe for most patients. However, not every treatment is ideal for everyone. This is why it is crucial
that your dentist examines your smile beforehand to give you an honest assessment of which procedures
may or may not be ideal for you. Some cosmetic treatments could be risky for those with underlying oral
health issues, but we will check for these issues before moving forward with the rest of your treatment.
Can I Replace a Metal Crown with a Tooth-Colored One?
Metal dental crowns are both long-lasting and effective, but they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing option available. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your amalgam metal crown, it can be replaced with one that better matches your surrounding teeth. In addition to having a more natural appearance, metal-free dental crowns don’t contain mercury or expand or contract in hot and cold temperatures.
