Dr. Anolik and the dental care team at TotallySmiles are equipped and prepared to help you with any dental concerns, including cosmetic concerns. Our cosmetic dentistry services were designed to help you achieve your dream, whatever that may look like!
Whether you want to brighten your smile for an upcoming special occasion or want to address mild to moderate orthodontic concerns, our team of highly-trained dental professionals can provide you with the cosmetic services you need in our Gaithersburg, MD dentist office. Learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services below.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services
Dr. Steven Anolik and Dr. Corey Anolik are your experienced cosmetic dentists in Gaithersburg, MD. Together, they have helped hundreds of patients achieve their dream smiles with their extensive menu of general and cosmetic dentistry services. If you are interested in pursuing a smile makeover at TotallySmiles, here are our available cosmetic services:
Invisalign
Invisalign is a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of suffering from the hassles of dietary restrictions and metallic aesthetics, you can straighten your teeth using Invisalign’s clear, removable aligners system. Simply wear your aligners all day, removing them to eat, drink, or brush your teeth.
If you wear your aligners for an average of 20-22 hours daily, your treatment plan will progress as intended. Over time, the Invisalign aligners will gradually apply pressure to your teeth and encourage them to shift into straighter positions.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells designed to replace the front-facing portion of your tooth. Great for concealing blemishes like misshapen teeth, bleach-resistant stains, and minor chips, porcelain veneers give you complete control over what you want your smile to look like.
Depending on your needs and goals, you can get one veneer or a mouthful to help you achieve a cosmetically appealing smile. Our doctors can help you decide which teeth would best benefit from veneers. This minimally invasive procedure will leave you with a beautiful smile that looks brand new while allowing you to maintain the functionality of your natural teeth beneath the veneers.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a fast and effective way to achieve a smile makeover. Perfect for special occasions like weddings or family reunions, teeth whitening can remove years of stains and discoloration from your dental structures to leave them looking fresh and bright. Our teeth whitening services are tailored to you and your smile, unlike over-the-counter whitening products, which were made to be a one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry.
When you choose professional teeth whitening services, we can customize the bleaching product and method to help you have a comfortable and safe whitening experience. This also means that you know your results will be exactly what you want them to be instead of risking the blotchy, inconsistent results that some over-the-counter products tend to cause.
Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is an affordable and effective approach to cosmetic dentistry. Perfect for concealing minor blemishes on your dental structures, bonding can be used on adults and children. Children benefit from tooth bonding services when their baby teeth are cosmetically affected. Because baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, tooth bonding helps conceal minor blemishes.
Using the same resin material we use for dental fillings, the tooth bonding material is placed over the blemish and shaped down to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Within one appointment, tooth bonding can help you conceal minor blemishes to restore the beauty and consistency of your smile.
The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Many people believe that cosmetic dentistry is solely for aesthetic benefits. And while it improves your smile’s look, it also has many other benefits.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
A smile is one of the first things people notice, so you want it to make a good impression. If you’re not confident in your smile, it can negatively impact your self-esteem. Instead of enjoying yourself and being comfortable in social situations, you focus on hiding your smile. Just the act of smiling can be a mood-booster, improving your mood even when you’re having a bad day.
A smile you’re proud of can make a difference in social and professional settings. Being embarrassed and anxious about your smile can cause you to withdraw from social activities. An unappealing smile increases your chances of experiencing depression or anxiety. You can go into social situations confident and unhindered. Studies show that it’s easier to form quality relationships, and you can get more professional opportunities.
Improved Health and Function
Cosmetic dentistry improves oral health and function, too. Missing, broken, or severely worn-down teeth can make it hard to speak or eat properly. Tooth breaks can expose the nerves inside the tooth, making it painful to eat or drink. This hinders your ability to eat a healthy, balanced diet, that’s essential for maintaining your overall health.
Crooked teeth can cause a variety of different issues. They’re harder to clean, making you more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease. The pressure of your bite doesn’t distribute equally throughout the smile, causing some teeth to wear down faster than the others. Crooked teeth also give you an uneven bite, one of the main causes of TMJ disorders. Not only does correcting crooked teeth improve appearance, it can prevent all of these problems.
When you fix current dental problems, you lessen the chance of developing more later on. If you have missing teeth, for example, you have a higher risk of losing more teeth and developing tooth decay or gum disease. Many cosmetic treatments last for 10-15 years or more, giving you a long-lasting fix for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
We will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about cosmetic dental care.
Does Invisalign work permanently?
Invisalign results can be permanent as long as you follow your aftercare guidelines. After completing the Invisalign treatment, orthodontists usually recommend wearing a retainer. Initially, you should wear it full-time for a few months. Next, you will likely need to transition to wearing it only at night. The exact duration of wearing retainers varies from person to person. It is a lifelong commitment.
How long do porcelain veneers take to put on?
Porcelain veneers usually require two dentist visits over about two to three weeks. The first visit involves preparing the teeth, which includes removing a small amount of enamel to make space for the veneers. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab. Next, the dentist will permanently bond the veneers to your teeth at the second visit. The actual application is quick. However, the preparation and customization take a bit of time.
Is professional teeth whitening a one-time process?
Professional teeth whitening isn’t usually a one-time process. The results are temporary and can last from a few weeks to a few months. However, the results can last up to 1-3 years with proper dental care. To maintain results, you might need touch-up treatments. The frequency of these touch-ups varies depending on your oral habits and the type of whitening treatment your dentist uses.
Can cosmetic dentistry fix tooth gaps?
Yes, cosmetic dental care can effectively fix tooth gaps. Your options include dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns. Dentists also use orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign to close gaps by aligning the teeth properly. All of these methods have their advantages.
Does tooth bonding prevent cavities?
Tooth bonding does not directly prevent cavities. However, a dentist can use it as part of a treatment plan that includes cavity repair. The composite resin material in dental bonding can fill cavities and be an alternative to amalgam fillings. Moreover, by closing gaps and covering cracks, bonding can reduce places where bacteria gather, potentially lowering cavity risk.
Does insurance pay for cosmetic dentistry?
Dental insurance usually won’t cover cosmetic dentistry procedures that are not medically necessary. Procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, and most orthodontic treatments for adults often fall into this category. However, if a procedure restores teeth function or is necessary due to an accident or health issue, insurance might partially cover it. Check your policy details or talk to your insurance provider to understand your coverage.
Schedule An Appointment
Are you looking for a smile makeover in Gaithersburg, MD? Do you want to change your smile’s appearance but don’t know where to start? We hope you will consider visiting TotallySmiles to learn more about your cosmetic dental care options. We have seen firsthand how many patients benefit from feeling more confident with their smiles. Schedule an appointment with our experienced cosmetic dentists today. We look forward to seeing you soon!