Cosmetic Dentist – Plano, TX
Let Us Create Your Perfect Smile
It’s easy to understand why cosmetic dentistry is so popular these days. Beautifully white and straight teeth can be a valuable asset, implying success, youth, confidence, and many more positive attributes. A flawless smile can be a huge confidence booster! If there is anything you dislike about the way your teeth look, Dr. Shannon Stokes and his team will be happy to help. We offer several procedures that are able to transform broken, chipped, discolored, or otherwise unattractive teeth.
Our available cosmetic treatments include:
Porcelain Veneers
These wafer-thin pieces of dental porcelain are bonded to the front of your teeth in order to disguise anything you don’t like about your smile, including discoloration, chips, cracks, and so much more. They offer a natural appearance, they can last for a decade or longer, and they’re strong enough to stand up to everyday eating and drinking. It may take as little as two appointments for our team to create your stunning new look!
Teeth Whitening
After taking detailed impressions of your smile, we’ll provide you with customized trays and a special whitening solution that you can use together in the comfort of your own home, creating a dramatically brighter smile in a matter of weeks. The super strong bleaching solution penetrates teeth to break up even deep-set stains that have plagued your smile for decades. This is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments we offer, and with proper maintenance, your results can last for years.
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding, sometimes called cosmetic bonding, is similar to porcelain veneers in that it covers your teeth’s flaws. Instead of using porcelain, however, bonding uses an acrylic resin that Dr. Stokes shapes over your teeth and then hardens with a special curing light. It usually takes just one appointment to apply the bonding material, and the results can be truly stunning! This treatment is often ideal for patients who have just one or two teeth whose appearance could use an upgrade.
Metal-Free Dental Crowns
In the past, dental crowns were almost always constructed of metals, such as gold and silver, which clashed with the teeth around them and could disrupt a smile’s natural beauty. Today, a more aesthetically pleasing solution is available. A porcelain crown blends in seamlessly with your smile, providing protection and new strength to a weak or damaged tooth. We custom-design each crown so it not only matches the color of the teeth around it, but also so it provides you with a comfortable bite.
Crown Lengthening
Do your teeth seem stubby, or does your smile have a “gummy” appearance? The problem may be that excess gum tissue is covering too much of your teeth, resulting in a disproportionate look. With our crown lengthening procedure, we can gently remove some of that extra tissue to expose more of your teeth’s crowns. The result will be a more balanced smile that you’ll be proud to show off.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stokes and his dedicated team! Located at Coit and Legacy in Plano, TX, we strive to create strong, long-lasting relationships with families of all sizes through our exceptional dental care.
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Patients tend to worry about paying for cosmetic dentistry because insurance usually will not pay for it. We’re well aware of that, which is why we work closely with our cosmetic patients to make sure that they can get excellent care within their budget.
If you want to learn a little bit more about how to get your dream smile without breaking the bank, here are some things you ought to know.
What Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
First of all, it’s worth pointing out that cosmetic dentistry isn’t all just one thing. There are a wide variety of treatments, and they each have a different price point. Direct bonding, for example, is a quick and effective treatment that’s pretty inexpensive. Teeth whitening is also on the cheaper side, though of course, its use case is a little limited.
If you want broader transformations, veneers and braces can make a massive difference in how your smile looks. Then there are smile makeovers, which involve a combination of several treatments. While they produce great results, these procedures are also more expensive.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be An Investment Worth Making
While most patients aren’t thrilled about paying for treatment, they love the confidence and beauty that cosmetic dentistry affords them. Cosmetic dentistry can allow you to make a better impression when it matters most, when can mean real benefits to your work life, and actual money in your pocket.
That’s to say nothing about how your new smile will affect your social and romantic life. With all this in mind, the price of cosmetic dentistry is absolutely worth it.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
That said, it’s still an unavoidable fact that your dental plan is unlikely to cover elective procedures. However, we have options that can potentially make care much more affordable for you.
We often work with CareCredit, which is a dental financing firm that works kind of like a healthcare-based credit card. You can use it to pay for care upfront, then either pay it off in monthly installments or in full once you get paid.
We want you to experience what cosmetic dentistry can do, so even if you’re worried about finances, we’ll work with you to find care that’s within your budget.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
What Should I Expect at an Initial Consultation for a Smile Makeover?
Your initial consultation is when you’ll meet with our cosmetic dentist in Plano, Dr. Stokes, so he can learn all about your dental history and smile goals! This usually starts with a discussion about the reason for your visit, what imperfections you’d like to address, and any questions you have. He will also review your latest X-rays (or take new ones, if needed) and conduct a visual exam to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. At that point, he can provide you with in-depth information about your treatment options and share his recommendations. The final step will be to create your custom treatment plan and begin the smile makeover process!
What Causes the Discoloration of a Tooth?
Dark-colored beverages, like coffee, and tobacco products are two common causes of dental discoloration, but they aren’t the only ones. Over the years, stubborn stains can surface from certain medications, an untreated oral health issue, and even the natural aging process. When you come in for your consultation, we will determine if the cause of the stubborn stains you’re seeing is intrinsic or extrinsic. Then, we can determine if teeth whitening, direct bonding, or veneers (or a combination of the three) are needed to give you the gorgeous grin you desire.
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
One of the biggest factors that will impact how long your results will last is the smile-enhancing service you choose. After all, some simply have a longer average lifespan. Veneers are a great example because several studies have shown that they often last for 10+ years. That’s why it’s important to consider more than just the upfront price; veneers may end up being the best choice for your wallet in the long run!
Another important factor is how well you care for your smile. If you smoke, you don’t brush consistently, and you skip your biannual visits to our office, then chips, stains, and other imperfections will resurface relatively quickly. That’s why we strongly recommend committing to good habits.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve My Oral Health?
Somewhat surprisingly, yes! Many services that fall under the cosmetic umbrella can also benefit your oral health. For example, veneers can fix small gaps that would’ve otherwise collected food particles, plaque, and other debris, increasing your risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Plus, if you love your smile, you’ll take care of it by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Although there are some exceptions, cosmetic dentistry usually isn’t covered by dental insurance. Fortunately, there is another financial solution available: CareCredit. This third-party financier offers payment plans so you don’t have to pay for the cost of your smile makeover in one lump sum. Instead, you can break up the price into smaller, monthly installments that work with your budget.
