Cosmetic Dentistry
Many patients who come into our office are embarrassed with their smiles. They have decay, gaps, cracks, stains and more. We can help restore your smile and your confidence.
(504) 368-7000
Cosmetic Dentistry Including Veneers, Lumineers and the Philips Zoom! Nite White® Whitening System is Available!
Your smile is an important part of your appearance and one of the first things people notice when meeting you for the first time. So, if you want to put your best foot forward, so to speak, you may want to address any aesthetic issues like misaligned, stained or broken teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can help! The interventions in this dental specialty are designed specifically to enhance your smile’s appearance.
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses a variety of techniques and treatments ranging from teeth whitening to restorations. Your dentist will discuss your smile goals with you in order to recommend the wide variety of treatments that can help you achieve those goals.
The treatments that fall under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry may include the following:
Veneers:
Veneers are tooth-shaped shells that are bonded to the front of your biological teeth to conceal defects like chips or stains in the tooth. Veneers may also be used to make a mildly crooked stretch of teeth appear to be properly aligned. Some veneers, like Lumineers, are so thin that your dentist won’t even need to remove any enamel from your teeth to make room for them!
Teeth whitening:
If you’re dissatisfied with the shade of your teeth and want a whiter, brighter smile, there are numerous bleaching options available to you. Products like the Philips Zoom! Nite White® Whitening System can be used in the convenience of your home. The professional options available from your dentist outperform over-the-counter products available at drugstores and other retailers.
Tooth-colored fillings:
Dark, metal fillings can detract from your smile and can ultimately damage your teeth, but they can be removed and replaced with restorations made of composite materials that match the shade of your teeth.
Dental crowns:
If a tooth is too severely damaged to be improved by a veneer alone, these tooth-shaped caps can improve the tooth’s appearance and make it more resistant to further decay, as well.
These interventions can be used individually or in combination, depending on the patient’s treatment goals.
Patients don’t need to wait a long time to get a stellar smile. Many of the treatments that require more hands-on care can be completed very quickly, and patients choosing to take advantage of professional teeth whitening will see results of at-home teeth whitening treatments in a matter of days.
New Orleans Dentists
Dr. Michael Rouhana
DDS
Dr. Rouhana is experienced in the fields of root canals, crowns (caps), bridges, restoration of dental implants, dentures and partials, and full mouth makeovers. He was voted the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Top Dentist by his peers in New Orleans Magazine. Read More
At Westside Dental Group, Dr. Michael Rouhana has dedicated his career to providing you with the very best that dentistry has to offer in a gentle, professional manner.
Our practice has been in the same location in New Orleans, Louisiana for over 20 years, and we keep entire families as patients through many generations!
Common Questions On Cosmetic Dentistry
Most frequent questions and answers
Cosmetic dentistry can improve on any aesthetic flaws in your smile, such as yellowing of the teeth, or damaged or undersized teeth. The most appealing smiles are bright white and proportionate. The various treatments used in cosmetic dentistry can give your biological teeth a boost if they fall short in that area. The results from a single treatment can be quite dramatic. For example, your teeth can become up to 10 shades whiter in a matter of days with professional tooth whitening. Veneers can straighten out a slightly crooked row of teeth in just weeks rather than the months that orthodontic treatment would take to have the same effect.
While some patients may get the results they want from just one or two cosmetic dentistry treatment options, others will need a more comprehensive overhaul of their pearly whites. A full mouth reconstruction combines multiple treatments into a single treatment plan. Your dentist will carefully consider the order in which these procedures should be completed in developing your treatment plan. Some interventions must precede others, as is the case with veneers and teeth whitening. If you are getting veneers, then you want your biological teeth to be the desired shade before the veneers are placed, as veneers do not respond to teeth whitening treatments.
The cost of veneers, as well as all of the other treatments used in cosmetic dentistry, varies from patient to patient and is influenced by several factors specific to the patient’s case. The costs will also include associated care, such as x-rays or preparing the tooth for veneer placement, if that is necessary. Before moving forward with designing and placing your veneers, one of our staff members will discuss the projected cost with you, as well as all of the payment forms we accept, including low- or no-interest financing options.
Some patients do complain of temporary tooth sensitivity after undergoing a tooth whitening treatment, especially if they have received multiple teeth whitening treatments over time. It almost always resolves within a short timeframe, though. Furthermore, you can be proactive about addressing this issue. You may want to begin using a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth a few days in advance of your teeth whitening treatment in order to reduce sensitivity. Your dentist may have other suggestions about how you can make your teeth less sensitive after teeth whitening.