Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs

Content added on 9/20/2010.

Click on the questions below to reveal the answers:

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry consists of a wide array of dental procedures, most of which require NO PAIN, NO SHOTS and NO DRILLING, offered by a certified cosmetic dentist such as Dr. Jerrold Goldsmith, DDS, FAGD. The goal of the various cosmetic procedures is to create an attractive, fresh-looking smile which can transform a person’s attitude, appearance, and most importantly, overall self-confidence.

Cosmetic dental services include:

 

What issues can be fixed with Cosmetic Dentistry?

  • Stained Teeth:Teeth that are discolored or darkened, which can be caused by:
    • Tetracycline (and related antibiotics)
    • Fluoride (Fluorosis)
    • Foods, drinks, consumables such as tea, coffee, cola, wine, tobacco
    • Age-related tooth staining
    • Genetic factors
    • Poor oral hygiene & tooth decay
    • Deteriorated dental restorations
    • Tooth trauma, root canal treatment
  • Chipped Teeth: Teeth that have broken down from wear and tear or trauma
  • Spaced Teeth: Teeth that have spaces in between them, also known as “Diastema” is primarily an inherited condition
  • Crooked Teeth: Teeth that protrude the gums at an irregular angle
  • Crowded Teeth: Teeth that are clustered together with not enough space to properly position each tooth
  • Rotated Teeth: Teeth that protrude the gums at a rotated angle
  • Misaligned Teeth: Teeth that are do not have even symmetry, often related to crowded or crooked teeth
  • Discolored Crowns, Veneers: Aged porcelain that darkens over time, or was slightly mismatched

How important is your smile?

In an independent study conducted on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry discovered:

  • Virtually all (99.7%) of Americans believe a smile is an important social asset
  • Virtually all (96.0%) of American adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.
  • Three-quarters (74.0%) of American adults feels an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.

When asked, “What is the first thing you notice in a person’s smile?” The most common responses were:

  • Straightness
  • Whiteness & Color of Teeth
  • Cleanliness of Teeth
  • Sincerity of Smile
  • Any Missing Teeth?
  • Sparkle of Smile

And when asked, “What types of things do you consider make a smile unattractive?” The most common responses were:

  • Discolored, Yellow, or Stained Teeth
  • Missing Teeth
  • Crooked Teeth
  • Decaying Teeth & Cavities
  • Gaps & Spaces in Teeth
  • Dirty Teeth

And finally, when respondents were asked, “What would you most like to improve about your smile?” The most common response was:

  • Whiter & Brighter Teeth

Source: Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

What are common Cosmetic Dental procedures?

  • LUMINEERS: The state-of-the-art, ultra-thin, completely painless porcelain veneers that covers and protects existing teeth which requires NO SHOTS & NO DRILLING
  • Snap-On Smile: The super-durable dental appliance that “snaps” over existing teeth which requires NO SHOTS & NO DRILLING
  • LUMIBRITE Teeth Whitening (In-Office & Take-Home): One of the dental industry’s most advanced teeth whitening system that is offered as an in-office session (for best results) or as a take-home treatment
  • Cosmetic Bonding: Uses tooth colored material to fix spacing, dark filling, etc. which requires NO SHOTS & NO DRILLING
  • Enamelplasty: Slight contouring of existing tooth structure to improve the shape of the tooth which requires NO SHOTS

How can Cosmetic Dentistry change your life?

Over the past 30 years, dentistry has evolved dramatically. People originally looked at dentistry strictly as a means to improve oral health and overall function of their teeth. However, in the last 20 years or so, people have looked to dentistry, not only improve health and function, but also to improve the overall appearance and aesthetic appeal of their teeth and smile.

From treating literally hundreds if not thousands of cosmetic patients, Dr. Goldsmith has seen time and time again how the various cosmetic dental procedures can transform a patient’s appearance, self-esteem, confidence, and overall outlook on life.

Studies have shown that when a person has more confidence in his or her smile, it can have a direct, positive effect on his or her personal relationships, career, etc. Shy patients are often transformed into social butterflies, professionals tell us of greater career success, and older patients look and feel years younger!

But don’t take it from us, CLICK HERE to hear what our actual patients have to say!

Are you a good candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?

The only person that can make that decision is you, and of course, your cosmetic dentist. The decision to pursue cosmetic dentistry is intrinsic, which means it comes from within. Only you know how you feel about your smile, and only you can take action in order to improve your smile. Obviously, you will need a trained cosmetic dentist, such as Dr. Jerrold Goldsmith, to make recommendations as to what procedures you would need to achieve your desired look. If you are not completely, 100% happy with the appearance of your teeth and/or smile, then you are most likely a candidate.

We recommend that you contact your cosmetic dentist and ask him or her for a free cosmetic consultation to see what options are available. You must know what you would like to achieve with your smile in order for the doctor to make relevant suggestions.

Don’t have a cosmetic dentist? PLEASE CALL (317) 357-4018 or CLICK HERE to request a FREE Cosmetic Consultation & FREE Photo Smile Makeover (printed for you to keep) at NO cost or obligation with Dr. Jerrold Goldsmith, DDS, FAGD. Dr. Goldsmith has been a general and cosmetic dentist for over 30 years and is a Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, as well as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, amongst others.

How do I know which cosmetic dentist to choose?

There are many factors that play into whether or not a specific cosmetic dentist is highly skilled. We recommend asking the following questions when trying to determine the best cosmetic dentist to deliver you an awesome smile:

  • Does your dentist have extensive experience performing cosmetic dentistry?
  • Does your dentist have extensive experience in the cosmetic procedures you are interested in?
  • Does your dentist have the accreditations that are required to certify him or her as a legitimate cosmetic dentist, i.e. American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry?
  • Does your dentist have before and after images of actual patients he or she has treated cosmetically? How did they look?
  • Does your dentist have before & after photos, testimonials, written or video, from patients your dentist has treated cosmetically? What did they say?
  • Does your dentist offer a FREE no cost or obligation cosmetic consultations? (We do!)
  • Does your dentist offer a FREE photo smile makeover so that you can see a digital representation of how you would look with a complete smile makeover? (We do!)
  • Does your dentist answer all of your questions and concerns in a logical and knowledgeable manner?

How quickly will I be able to complete my treatment?

Most cosmetic dental procedures, such as LUMINEERS, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, etc., can be completed in as little as one to three visits (but may vary depending on the complexity of each case). For LUMINEERS and Snap-On Smile, the timeline is often dictated by how long the lab takes to manufacture the items, in some cases 2-4 weeks.

Does Dr. Goldsmith prefer LUMINEERS or veneers?

Dr. Goldsmith truly believes that the “less dentistry is the best dentistry”, and chooses painless, non-invasive cosmetic procedures when available.

Prior to becoming a certified LUMINEERS provider 15 years ago, Dr. Goldsmith had performed numerous traditional veneer cases. However, he absolutely hated to doing traditional veneers for the simple fact that they require him to remove a vast amount of perfectly healthy tooth structure.

As a caring dentist, it has been his lifelong philosophy to protect and maintain his patients’ teeth whenever possible, not strip them down permanently. It was this single, yet primary characteristic of traditional veneers which led him to search for state-of-the-art, non-invasive, painless alternatives, such as LUMINEERS.

LUMINEERS require very little, if any removal of natural tooth structure. The procedure is minimally invasive, and requires NO SHOTS and NO DRILLING. The application of LUMINEERS is completely painless and can be completed in as few as 2/3 visits. The best part is, your natural teeth are perfectly in tact behind the super-thin, yet extremely strong LUMINEERS.

Will my dental insurance cover Cosmetic Dentistry?

In most cases, the major dental insurance providers do not cover cosmetic dental services, and consider these procedures “elective” in nature.

Dental insurance is used primarily to cover services that maintain the form and function of your existing teeth. For this reason, procedures that are “preventative” (exams, x-rays, cleanings, etc.) and “restorative” (fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.) are covered services by most insurance plans, albeit not always covered at 100%. Essentially, the insurance providers consider Cosmetic Dentistry to be entirely aesthetic and not necessary to maintain optimal dental health.

Can I make monthly payments for Cosmetic Dentistry?

Absolutely! Dr. Goldsmith is proud to offer & accept a fantastic, flexible monthly payment plan:

CareCredit

The nation’s leader in patient payment plans with four million customers, is a convenient, low minimum monthly payment program for your entire family specifically designed to pay for healthcare and elective treatment not covered by insurance.

  • CLICK HERE to APPLY NOW for CareCredit.
  • On the right side of the page, click on the button that says “Apply Now”.
  • Fill out the application form. (Be sure to include a co-signer if necessary)
  • Write down or print out your account number. If you don’t have the account number, we can look it up in our office.

How can I feel more comfortable at the dentist?

Dr. Jerrold Goldsmith offers conscious oral sedation for the fearful and anxious patients. The doctor prides himself in his gentle hand, and his calm, relaxed demeanor. Once you get a chance to meet him, you may not need sedation. However, it is always an option for all of our new and existing patients.

Call (317) 357 – 4018 to Learn More!

Schedule Your FREE Consultation Today, and Receive a FREE Photo Smile Makeover!

Easy Monthly Payments Available!

Pay off Your Dental Treatment in 12 Months with NO INTEREST, or Extend Payments over 48 Months. Click on the Banner Below to Apply:


Dr. Jerrold Goldsmith, DDS, FAGD
141 North Shortridge Road, Suite B5
Indianapolis, IN 46219
P: (317) 357-4018
F: (317) 356-4600
info@drjgoldsmith.com

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