10 Common Questions From Our River Edge Dental Patients

1. What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that is focused on the overall appearance of your smile. Mainly concentrating on color, shape, size, position, bite, and alignment of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can fix problems such as crooked teeth, tooth discoloration, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth, unsightly fillings, worn or small teeth, missing teeth, misshapen teeth, and bite problems.

If you have many complaints about your smile, often, one treatment can fix many of them at once. In other instances, you may need two or more treatments to improve the appearance of your smile. Whatever your smile woe, our River Edge cosmetic dentists will work with you to design a custom solution. With cosmetic dentistry, you don’t need to live with a smile that you aren’t happy with. Cosmetic dentistry can have you smiling from ear to ear quicker than you thought possible. 

2. Are Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments Only for Aesthetics?

People may feel vain for wanting cosmetic dentistry, but the truth is, cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about the appearance of your smile. Beautiful teeth are healthy teeth. When dealing with many of the issues that cause you to dislike the way your smile looks, you likely have some pain or discomfort, too. Your cracked tooth may not be causing you any pain right now, but your tooth will only continue to crack or break off, allow bacteria in where it’s not supposed to be, and change the bite force on your other teeth. As your crack progresses, you’ll find that you do have pain. Now that you’ve waited for treatment, the treatment you need is more expensive. 

If you have a new cosmetic dentistry issue or have been dealing with one for a long time, you may find that your mental health is beginning to suffer. When your teeth aren’t to your liking, you tend to smile less, laugh less and avoid social gatherings. Research shows that smiling more will physically make you happier. Not only will smiling improve your life, but it also has a ripple effect that makes others happier and improves relationships. Trying to get that big promotion at work? Smiling can help you and others feel confident about choosing you for the new position. People who don’t like their teeth also tend to avoid social gatherings where they may have to smile and laugh in front of other people. As humans, we are social beings and need interactions to thrive. When we skip this part of our lives, we begin to feel isolated, and our mental health suffers. Cosmetic dentistry can help fix the appearance of your smile, the function of your smile, and reflect positively on your mental health. 

3. Is Teeth Whitening My Only Option to Treat Yellowed Teeth?

Teeth whitening can be a good option for whitening teeth that are discolored. Discolored teeth can make you look older than you really are and it can take a toll on your confidence. Discolored teeth are often a result of different foods, drinks, or smoking in combination with poor oral hygiene routines. As such, discolored teeth can be a symptom of periodontitis or gum disease.

If you’re looking to whiten your teeth, professional bleaching could be the solution for you. If you don’t want to whiten your teeth with bleaching or your teeth have white patches, you’ll need another solution, like dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that are placed over your teeth. They protect your teeth and hide many different kinds of imperfections such as discoloration, chips, cracks, small teeth, or misshapen teeth. Many people think of dental veneers as a one-stop shop for a smile makeover. At River Edge Dental, we offer different kinds of dental veneers such as porcelain veneers, Lumineers, or Snap-On Smile. 

4. Do I Need to Fix a Broken Tooth?

In short, yes. It is essential that you fix your broken teeth. While your broken teeth look unsightly, they cause other issues, too. Broken teeth will break further and eventually allow bacteria where it isn’t supposed to be. When bacteria gets in your teeth, you’ll eventually experience tooth decay and tooth loss. Additionally, broken teeth tend to hurt, causing you to change the bite force used on that tooth. Our teeth have evolved to work as a whole unit, dispensing the force of biting and chewing across all teeth. When you don’t use a side of your mouth because of a hurt tooth, other teeth have to take on the extra bite force and may break as a result. In the end, you could end up with a mouth full of broken, painful, and missing teeth—a mouth that is no longer functional or attractive.

To fix broken teeth, you can opt for porcelain veneers. In more severe cases, a dental crown may be necessary. 

5. Are Gapped Teeth Attractive?

Gapped teeth are considered to be attractive in many cultures, but in the United States, it’s not generally a sought-after beauty trait. However, as beauty is subjective, this is something you’ll need to decide for yourself. Keep in mind that gapped teeth can pose health consequences if you aren’t diligent about oral health care. Gapped teeth can make it difficult to keep food from getting stuck and getting food unstuck from between them. Leftover food that is lodged between your teeth can cause gum disease and tooth decay if not promptly removed.

If you decide you’d like to straighten or bring your gapped teeth together, you have options. Orthodontics is usually the first thing people think of when getting rid of gapped teeth. Orthodontics, like Invisalign, are an effective solution for many people. Other options include dental veneers, dental crowns, and dental bonding. 

6. Can I Replace Metal Fillings?

You may have metal fillings from long ago or you may have opted for metal fillings because you thought they would be the best option to fill your teeth. While metal fillings are durable, they aren’t always the most attractive option for dental fillings. When a cosmetic dentist places dental fillings, they’ll recommend that you decide on tooth-colored fillings. Tooth-colored fillings, sometimes called in-lays or on-lays,  are a resin material mixed with ceramic. They are matched to the color of your teeth, so no one has to know that you have a filling. Tooth-colored fillings offer additional protection for your tooth and your tooth’s root. Like many other cosmetic dental procedures, replacing metal fillings isn’t just for looks. Metal fillings can expand and crack the remaining natural tooth. When your tooth cracks, you’ll have to get it fixed quickly to avoid other issues. 

7. Can Worn Down Teeth be Repaired?

Cosmetic dentistry can repair worn teeth. You may have a baby tooth that your dentist decided to keep because there was no adult tooth to replace it, naturally small teeth, or grind your teeth. All these issues can be fixed so you can be happy with your smile. If your teeth are worn from grinding (bruxism), it’s essential to address the habit by either getting a night mouth guard or treating TMJ first.

If your teeth are small or misshapen, dental veneers or dental crowns could be the best option for you. If your teeth are too worn from bruxism or TMJ, you may need to explore other options like reconstructive dentistry after addressing the grinding. 

8. Is it Okay to Have Missing Teeth?

You may not think having a missing tooth in the back of your mouth is a big problem since you can’t see it. However, whether or not you can see the tooth is irrelevant to getting it replaced. Replacing a missing tooth is essential no matter where it is in your mouth. You can avoid damaging your other teeth, gum disease, and jawbone reduction by replacing a missing tooth. All of which are things that will impair the function of your teeth and make you look older.

The best way to replace your missing teeth is with dental implants, but other options like dentures are also available. 

9. What Are My Options if I’m Afraid of the Dentist?

Dental anxiety is common, with 36% of the population having uneasy feelings about seeing the dentist. At River Edge Dental, we know that seeing the dentist can cause people to avoid seeing us. That’s why we do everything we can to make your visit as relaxing as possible. With comfort options such as audio and visual distractions, aromatherapy, mini-spa treatments, refreshments, and blankets, you can rest easy knowing that you can get the dental care you need without being anxious. 

10. How Do I Find a Cosmetic Dentist in River Edge, New Jersey?

When looking for a cosmetic dentist, check out patient testimonials, read about the doctor you’re planning to see, and look at the options available to make sure that your cosmetic dentist can fix your cosmetic concerns once and for all. Choosing a cosmetic dentist in River Edge, NJ, can be easy. Come to River Edge Dental and receive top-notch dental care and treatment for all your cosmetic needs. Call (201) 343-4044 or make an appointment online today.