Cosmetic Dentistry – Indianapolis, IN
Perfecting Your Smile
Is your beautiful smile hiding behind chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth? The cosmetic dentists at Indianapolis Family Dentistry use modern esthetic services to produce beautiful, natural looking results. Your smile is an important part of your self-image. Flawed teeth diminish your appearance and decrease your confidence. Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner evaluates smiles and discusses expectations. We then create a treatment plan to transform your appearance. Our esthetic therapies deliver fantastic results. From porcelain veneers to full smile makeovers, we have cosmetic dentistry in Indianapolis, IN.
Teeth Whitening
This safe and effective cosmetic treatment is also one of our most popular, and it’s no wonder. For a reasonable cost, you can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. With teeth whitening, you’ll be able to say goodbye to those annoying stains caused by such things as coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce, and berries. Tobacco stains and even deep discoloration from a traumatic injury can also be erased.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner will recommend the teeth whitening system that is best for your smile. We offer both in-office whitening and a take-home kit. Both achieve the same dazzling results, but at a different pace.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Technically speaking, a tooth-colored filling is a restorative procedure to repair and rebuild a tooth that has been damaged by decay. But a tooth-colored filling is also cosmetic because of the way it seamlessly blends with the natural shade of a tooth. A tooth-colored filling is made of composite resin material that the dentist blends to precisely match your tooth. Gone are the days of silver fillings that stood out in your smile. Now, you and your cosmetic dentist will be the only ones to know that you have a filling!
Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays are also used to repair cavities, but they are usually reserved for teeth that have a large amount of decay. Both are a more conservative option than a dental crown, which requires removing more natural tooth structure in order to fit between adjacent teeth.
Inlays are positioned between the cusps (bumps) of a tooth, while an onlay is placed over one or more cusps. Both are fabricated in a dental lab and sent back to our dental office for placement.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding & Shaping
The same composite resin material that we use for a tooth-colored filling can also be used to rebuild or reshape a tooth cosmetically. If you have a tooth that is chipped, moderately fractured or slightly crooked, cosmetic bonding may be the easiest solution. During this procedure that requires only one appointment, the cosmetic dentist applies a small amount of composite resin and molds the material to reshape your tooth. The result is a strong tooth with a more pleasing appearance.
Porcelain Veneers
If you have a number of flaws detracting from your smile—chips, cracks, fractures, permanent stains or slightly crooked teeth—then why not hide them behind porcelain veneers? These can be used to create a whole new smile or to correct one or two teeth that are imperfect. After your teeth are prepared, your Indianapolis cosmetic dentist bonds the veneers to the front of your tooth. When designing your porcelain veneers, we consider the location and shape of each tooth, the size of your mouth and lips, and your unique facial features.
Smile Makeovers
A few or several of the above discussed cosmetic dentistry treatments can be combined in a smile makeover, which is a step-by-step plan to rejuvenate your smile. The process begins with a consultation and a dental examination. Then, your Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner will recommend the procedures that will transform your teeth, recreate your smile and boost your confidence.
Teeth Whitening Tooth Colored Fillings Veneers Smile Makeovers Bonding and Contouring Inlays and Onlays
Learn more about our esthetic services, and then call Indianapolis Family Dentistry today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner, skilled cosmetic dentists. Our conveniently located dental office provides personalized service and one-on-one care to residents of Lawrence and beyond.
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
As much as you may want cosmetic dentistry, you’ll need to gauge its price first. You can’t tell if it fits your budget otherwise. So, we’ll help you navigate the final expense. Our dental team is happy to make the cost of cosmetic dentistry more affordable. To do so, we’ll guide you through our treatments and payment options below. Just keep reading for the details or call our office to book a visit!
Which Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Cosmetic dentistry aims for three things: whiter teeth, straighter teeth, or differently shaped teeth. Regardless, its many services don’t have the same prices and effects. You’ll want to compare them to ensure your care is cost-effective.
At Indianapolis Family Dentistry, our cosmetic dental options are:
- Teeth Whitening – Teeth whitening (per its name) brightens your grin by removing stains. Still, comes at a moderate price and won’t help tooth shape or position.
- Cosmetic Dental Bonding – Cosmetic dental bonding uses a special resin to hide minor smile flaws. It’s thus very good at treating small chips, cracks, and stains. However, bonding’s effects don’t last that long; you’ll need touchups every few years.
- Tooth-Colored Restorations – Rather than metallic ones, our office offers tooth-colored fillings, crowns, and so on. These restorations protect teeth and blend with your smile. To that extent, they’ll hide your cavities and damage while also keeping them from getting worse.
- Porcelain Veneers – In essence, veneers are porcelain shells put on the fronts of teeth. Their material allows them to alter several aspects of your smile at once. In exchange, the shells can get pricey.
- Smile Makeovers – Rather than a distinct service, a smile makeover is made up of many cosmetic dental options. That means it’s the most costly form of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry: A Worthwhile Investment
Cosmetic dental work can be a big commitment. Nonetheless, its treatments also stand as great investments in the long run.
You see, many upsides of pretty pearly whites are priceless. One example is how a gorgeous grin boosts your confidence while easing your fears. In doing so, it’ll help you form cherished bonds with friends, family, and other peers. These relationships will then lead to a higher quality of life! With all that happening, your final bill is a small price to pay.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Dental insurance won’t cover cosmetic dentistry. Even so, there are other ways to make it more budget-friendly. Just look at Indianapolis Family Dentistry. We offer:
- Dental Membership Plans – For a moderate annual fee, you can join one of our dental membership plans. Each one would give you a 15-20% discount on cosmetic treatments.
- Flexible Financing – Our office happens to work with CareCredit – a third-party financier. By relying on them, it’s possible to pay for cosmetic dental work in monthly installments. You could then meet the cost of an otherwise pricey treatment.
As you can see, our practice wants your pretty smile to be affordable. Learn how to finance its transformation by booking a visit to see us!
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Are you considering using cosmetic dentistry to attain your dream smile? If so, you very likely have a few questions about the process. To help you make a more well-informed decision and give you a better idea of what to expect, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry below.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance providers won’t cover cosmetic services, as they are often deemed elective procedures. However, there are always exceptions. Our friendly front desk team members are wonderful at looking over your plan and maximizing any benefits you may have. If you don’t have dental insurance, or you need help funding your treatment, we offer an in-house Membership Plan. For a low, flat annual fee, you can receive FREE preventive care as well as a 15-20% discount on other services, including cosmetic treatments.
When Is a Service Considered Cosmetic?
While the majority of dental treatments are designed to ensure your smile stays healthy, cosmetic services have one goal in mind: to improve the way your smile looks. Some cosmetic services may toe the line with other kinds of dentistry, such as restorative, their primary focus is on your smile’s aesthetics.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve My Oral Health?
In many cases, cosmetic dentistry can actually make your smile healthier. For instance, fillings, inlays, and onlays can protect your tooth from further damage while also improving its appearance. Porcelain veneers can close gaps between your teeth, preventing food from getting trapped in there and attracting bacteria. Even a simple teeth whitening treatment can result in a healthier mouth, as you’re more likely to brush and floss in order to keep your pearly whites bright.
What Is the Quickest Way to Improve My Smile?
There are some cosmetic procedures, such as a personalized smile makeover, that can take anywhere from a few months to several months or even longer to complete. However, if you’re looking to improve your smile as quickly as possible (like if you have an upcoming wedding, job interview, etc.), porcelain veneers and teeth whitening are great places to start. Veneers generally take a couple of appointments over the course of two or three weeks. For an even faster smile transformation, ask your cosmetic dentist about in-office teeth whitening. This procedure can brighten your smile by multiple shades in about an hour.
Is Everyone a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Because there are so many different cosmetic dentistry options, one of our services is bound to be right for you. The only way to know for sure, though, is to schedule a consultation with either Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner. They will examine your oral health and determine which, if any, services they could use to improve your smile.
More often than not, most people who wish to beautify their smiles make great candidates for cosmetic dentistry. However, your mouth must be healthy first. Any health problems like cavities or gum infections must be treated prior to undergoing cosmetic treatment.