Cosmetic Dentistry
in NYC

Porcelain Inlays

If you have a large cavity in the middle of your tooth, you may want to ask your dentist about an inlay instead of a traditional filling. This tooth-colored device is custom made to completely fill a hole and even out the top of the tooth. Many patients find inlays more attractive than alternative treatments. 

Porcelain Onlays

While onlays are similar to inlays, the primary difference is that an onlay can cover more of the surface of the tooth, including one or more cusps. Cusps are necessary to chew food, so it is not a good idea to leave a molar or premolar with a flat surface. After examining your mouth, your dentist should be able to recommend whether an inlay or onlay (or neither option) is the best way to address a particular cavity.

Tooth Colored Fillings  

Fillings are an essential treatment for infected teeth. Although ordinary fillings are made of silver amalgam, these composite resin fillings are ideal if you want to avoid having a metallic shimmer in your mouth. The resin is blended to match the precise color of your existing teeth, whatever shade that happens to be.

Teeth Whitening

Stained teeth become yellower over time. While at-home whitening kits can help to restore some of your teeth’s whiteness, nothing compares to the effectiveness of a professional in-office teeth whitening. This safe and painless treatment takes about one hour and will make your teeth appear between five and 10 shades whiter. 

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry? 

Cosmetic dental work focuses on aesthetic concerns and tooth imperfections that affect the appearance of your smile. These procedures and treatments can renew your teeth with teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other options. While other areas of dentistry focus on preventive care or functional problems, cosmetic dentistry is an elective option for people unhappy with mildly crooked teeth, severe discoloration, misshapen teeth, and other concerns. 

What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry? 

Cosmetic dentistry can address most aesthetic problems, including: 

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Gapped teeth or small gaps between teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• Stained teeth
• Teeth that are too long or short
• Misshapen teeth 

Addressing these issues can enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. Cosmetic dentistry can balance your smile, conceal chips and cracks, and improve tooth shape. 

Tooth imperfections may impact your self-esteem and make you shy away from smiling around others and in photos. Cosmetic dentistry gives you a smile you’re proud to brandish and may make you seem more friendly and welcoming to others. Confidence in your smile can give you the push you need to ask someone on a date or apply for a promotion.

Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry? 

You must have healthy teeth and oral tissues before pursuing cosmetic dental treatments. If you have dental caries (cavities), gum disease, damaged teeth, or other oral health concerns, these must be addressed with the appropriate treatment first. Most people with tooth chips, stains, gaps, etc., will qualify for cosmetic dentistry. However, some procedures, such as teeth whitening, may not be a good fit for people with extremely sensitive teeth. 

Patients with certain medical conditions may need special consideration for cosmetic dentistry, such as heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions that may complicate recovery. 

What Is the Recovery Time for Cosmetic Dentistry? 

Recovery after cosmetic dental work depends on the procedure. Porcelain veneers, inlays, and onlays may require some healing time and lifestyle modifications, but teeth whitening may not have these caveats. 

Porcelain veneers may cause sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures for several weeks, so patients are encouraged to eat and drink lukewarm or mildly cold foods. Our dentists may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste during this time. You will have temporary veneers while the permanent materials are fabricated and shaped in a dental lab. You should avoid tough meats, crunchy foods, and hard foods like raw vegetables and popcorn. These foods may crack or break off the temporary veneer; you could even swallow the temporary shell if it comes off. 

Minor procedures such as teeth whitening only require a few days of recovery time, during which you should avoid acidic foods, such as soda, pickles, and citrus fruits. 

Our NYC office will provide care instructions after your cosmetic dentistry procedure, and we are available to answer your questions and concerns.

How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last? 

The longevity of your cosmetic dental work depends on the type of procedure and how well you care for your teeth afterward. Porcelain veneers may last up to 20 years with good maintenance, and inlays and onlays may last up to 30 years. Teeth whitening can last up to three years or longer with at-home whitening trays to touch up your results. Enjoy your results for longer by brushing and flossing daily, avoiding foods and beverages that stain natural teeth, and scheduling dental exams and cleanings every six months.

Discuss Cosmetic Procedures with an Expert Dentist

When you want to enhance your teeth with a cosmetic dentistry procedure, it is important that you select a fantastic dentist who can provide you with the best, most beautiful results. To consult with the lauded dental team at New York Smile Institute, please call (212) 319-6363.