As a cosmetic dentist in Long Branch, we specialize in restorations and complex procedures.  We also work with general dentists that send patients to us for additional services.  In general, people want to know several things when they come to see us. Typically, this includes knowing how long before their teeth look perfect, how much it is going to cost, and what we can do to speed this process along. While these are great questions and we will be happy to answer them in person, there are other questions we also love getting from our patients. These are often patients who are not sure about getting their teeth straightened or whitened, patients who have trouble with the idea of braces at an older age or just cannot understand why cosmetic dentistry is such a fundamental part of dentistry as a whole these days.

What is the correct age to get my teeth straightened?

From the perspective of a cosmetic dentist, the answer to that question is whatever age you want. There was a time when people were more concerned about social norms and would not straighten their teeth at adults. Those days are long gone. Today, the majority of patients a cosmetic dentist sees are adults. That is because when you are an adult, you truly realize the worth of a cosmetic dentist and understand how important it is to have straight, beautiful, perfectly white teeth. This made it so we had to change and the industry to adapt. We are literally best placed to serve adults who want to improve their smile, as well as their kids’ early in life.

Should I be concerned about teeth whitening harming my teeth?

We prefer if you visit a cosmetic dentist, to do your teeth whitening. This is not because the teeth whitening that you can buy in a box over the counter has anything wrong with it, but because when you are in our dentist chair, it is a carefully controlled environment that allows us to do a perfect job. To be clear, as a cosmetic dentist, we know that teeth whitening will never ruin your teeth. However, overuse of over-the-counter products can, and often will, make your teeth far more sensitive, which could result in needing other dental services. The best and most effective way to get your teeth whitened is to come in and see a cosmetic dentist.

Isn’t cosmetic dentistry expensive?

The rates of cosmetic dentistry vary on several factors. There are much cheaper and innovative solutions that are now used extensively to reduce costs and still give you the same effects. Things like dental veneers have become a staple in the tools your cosmetic dentist uses to give you straighter, whiter, and better-looking teeth. There are expensive procedures in cosmetic dentistry, there is no denying that. The point is this: you have complete control over how much you spend and how much work you have done at any one time. We are very happy to work out a long-term plan based on your budget and objectives. At the end of the day, a perfect smile doesn’t really have a cost – it’s priceless.