Cosmetic Dentistry in TACOMA
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Did you know…
Veneers can protect the natural enamel of your teeth.
What to expect at your cosmetic consultation in Tacoma
Candid Conversation
To begin, your cosmetic dentist will ask how you honestly feel about your smile. You’ll discuss any issues or imperfections that make you feel self-conscious, and what would you would like to change about your smile appearance. Sharing these details helps your dentist craft a precise cosmetic treatment plan made just for you.
Thorough Exam
During the comprehensive oral exam, your cosmetic dentist will determine whether or not you qualify for your desired cosmetic treatment. Cosmetic dentistry should only be performed on healthy teeth, so your dentist will discuss if any restorative work is required before beginning your cosmetic journey.
Tailored Treatment Plan
Once your consultation and exams are complete, a customized cosmetic treatment plan will be crafted to suit your needs and preferences. This outline will help you understand each step of your unique cosmetic procedure.
Explore Your Options
To help you choose the right treatment for your smile, Dr. Hong will offer a variety of different options. This allows you to select one that aligns with your lifestyle, budget, and priorities.
Scheduling & Payment
Once you and Dr. Hong decide on the perfect cosmetic treatment plan, our friendly team will schedule your next visit in Tacoma and guide you through flexible payment options.
Cosmetic Treatment Options
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Skip the office and whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home with take-home whitening kits. Over the course of a week, you’ll start to notice subtle, gradual results for a gleaming smile.
To create your reusable custom whitening trays, our Tacoma dentist will take impressions of your teeth, using either dental putty or digital images with an intraoral scanner.
Once the trays are complete, we’ll provide you with the whitening product and instructions for proper use. By following Dr. Hong’s instructions, you’ll get professional-grade results right at home.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office professional teeth whitening is a swift treatment process completed by your dentist that can brighten your smile up to 10 shades in just one session. Patients looking to illuminate their smile for a special upcoming occasion will love the fast results from in-office whitening.
To begin your treatment, Dr. Hong will place a special gel on your gums, which will protect your mouth during the teeth whitening process. Retractors will be used to keep your cheeks away from your teeth and the whitening treatment. Next, a powerful whitener will be applied and activated with a UV light. The treatment will be rinsed away after one hour to reveal a brighter smile. This cosmetic dental treatment may be repeated several times over multiple appointments to achieve your desired level of whiteness.
KöR Whitening
KöR Whitening is a popular at-home whitening option due to its versatility and effectiveness. With KöR, you can whiten their teeth right in your own home and notice subtle, gradual brightness within 2 weeks.
Our office carries KöR-Day™ or KöR-Night™ teeth whitening options. KöR-Night™ is a cost-effective option that whitens your smile while you sleep. KöR-Day™ is an option for patients who would prefer not to wear whitening trays while sleeping. Since the daytime option is only worn for short periods, it's also better for patients with sensitivity.
For patients struggling with stubborn stains, in-office and at-home whitening treatments can be combined to achieve a patient's desired brightness. KöR in-office whitening provides fast results that can brighten your smile by several shades in a single appointment. When supplemented with at-home treatment, KöR provides exceptional results.
Dental Bonding, Shaping & Contouring
During the dental bonding process, Dr. Hong applies a dental resin directly to your tooth to match the natural shade of your smile. Dr. Hong will then correct the shape of your tooth by carefully shaping and sculpting the resin to restore your smile’s overall look and functionality. This non-invasive process takes about 30-60 minutes for each tooth.
Also known as enameloplasty, shaping & contouring is a cosmetic process that is often used alongside bonding. To shape and contour, a thin layer of enamel is removed from uneven, chipped, or pointy teeth to ensure your desired shape and appearance.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, durable, tooth-colored porcelain shells that are attached to the front of teeth. This cosmetic dentistry treatment can treat small gaps between teeth, severe staining, misshapen or uneven teeth, and much more. Dental veneers can completely transform your smile and last for years. Once veneers are placed on the tooth, they cannot be detached. Taking a veneer off of the tooth removes some of your natural tooth enamel, which is an irreversible process.
Lumineers
Similar to veneers, Lumineers fasten to the front of your tooth to improve its shape, color, and overall appearance. Lumineers are less than half of the thickness of a standard veneer, which is only about as thick as a contact lens. Despite their extreme thinness, Lumineers are still a durable and long-lasting cosmetic solution.
Thanks to their thin nature, Lumineers can often be placed without removing any of your natural enamel, which allows them to be potentially removed and replaced. Talk to Dr. Hong to see if Lumineers are the right cosmetic dentistry procedure for you and your smile.
Botox & Fillers
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is typically used to smooth wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines on the skin. Patients seeking solutions for TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders) can also turn to Botox for temporary relief. Dentists are experts on the mouth and facial muscles, making them ideal administers of Botox.
Fillers are injected into the skin to enhance facial features, such as the lips and cheeks. This treatment can also plump and rejuvenate aging skin to better complement the smile. For patients looking to enhance sagging cheeks or thinning lips, fillers in Tacoma can provide remarkable results.
Cosmetic Dental Makeovers
If you’re unsure of which cosmetic treatments are the best fit for you and your smile, or if you believe you may need multiple treatments to achieve desired results, talk to Dr. Hong about a cosmetic dental makeover.
As a highly customized, multi-treatment plan, a cosmetic makeover is specifically tailored to treat all issues you may have with your smile including crooked teeth and tooth decay.. Every smile is unique, so processes differ from patient to patient. Multiple cosmetic and restorative dental procedures will be completed over a period of time to ensure you are proud of your brand new smile.
Did you know…
An hour-long whitening session can whiten teeth by up to 10 shades.
Have questions about cosmetic dentistry? Explore our answers.
What dental issues can cosmetic dentistry solve?
Cosmetic dentistry can solve nearly any issue you’re facing that relates to the appearance of your teeth. Patients with stained and yellowing teeth can opt for teeth whitening treatments for a brighter, more youthful smile. Bonding, shaping & contouring can repair misshapen and uneven teeth back into a natural, appealing look. Dental crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes. Veneers or Lumineers can correct gaps between teeth, cover severe tooth staining, and provide a solution to slightly crooked or crowded teeth.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic dental treatments?
A good candidate for cosmetic dentistry is free of any major orthodontic issues and has healthy teeth and gums.
If you struggle with oral health problems such as gum disease, cavities, or jaw and teeth alignment issues, cosmetic dentistry may not be the right treatment for you at this time. These problems can be addressed and resolved through restorative or orthodontic treatments before you decide to explore cosmetic dental procedures. For many patients, restorative care and orthodontics can provide a healthier and more beautiful smile.
Can I get more than one cosmetic dental procedure done at the same time?
Yes! It’s common to undergo multiple cosmetic dental procedures at once. For example, dental bonding and enameloplasty are often completed in the same appointment. Looking to see if you can have multiple cosmetic procedures done in one visit? Call Rainier Smiles Dentistry at (253) 565-1695 for more information.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by dental insurance?
Dental insurance does not usually cover most cosmetic dentistry treatments. This is because cosmetic cases are often listed as elective and unnecessary to the health of your smile by insurance companies. You will need to pay for treatment out-of-pocket for most cosmetic treatments. There is a chance that your insurance may cover a portion of the cost for treatments such as veneers or cosmetic crowns, but this is not common.
To understand the full details of your dental insurance coverage, contact your insurer. Reach out to our team to see if we can assist you with discounts or payment plans to help you cover treatment.
Did you know…
Studies show that a person’s satisfaction with their smile has a strong effect on their mental health.