Is your smile in need of an upgrade? Are you looking for an economical smile makeover?
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about creating pretty teeth. It’s about restoring health and stability to the mouth for long-lasting, comfortable, and natural-looking results. Cosmetic dentistry is one of the dental services we offer to the public. Your local cosmetic dentist in Monroe NC, Dr. Leonard Hess, has perfected hundreds of smiles with various cosmetic dentistry services. Whether you’re looking for a subtle change or dramatic transformation, Dr. Hess can help you achieve your desired results.
Our cosmetic dental services include:
- Dental crowns: Cover deep stains, reshape teeth, and protect them after a root canal.
- Porcelain veneers: Elongate the appearance of small teeth, fix a single discolored tooth, or hide the appearance of a single crooked tooth.
- Teeth whitening: Whiten your teeth in as little as a single visit. Professional teeth whitening is by far longer lasting than store-bought options.
- Invisible braces: Fix your mild to moderate crooked teeth issues with custom-made clear aligners.
- We also offer porcelain veneers in North Carolina.
Is cosmetic dentistry right for you?
What do you see when you smile? Crooked teeth, discolored teeth, or worn teeth? Regardless of the cause of cosmetic concern, practically everyone can benefit from cosmetic dentistry treatment. Dr. Hess offers procedures that enhance not only the beauty of the smile but also its function and health.
What To Expect From Dr. Leonard Hess
One thing that distinguishes Dr. Hess from other North Carolina cosmetic dentists is his time with each patient. You will personally meet with Dr. Hess to discuss your concerns and goals. Dr. Hess will perform a comprehensive evaluation to assess the complete health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and other support structures.
Then, Dr. Hess will create a personalized treatment plan to deliver the smile you want – comfortable, healthy, and long-lasting.
Many dentists offer cosmetic procedures in their offices, but few have the training and experience to match Dr. Hess. As one of the leading cosmetic dentists in North Carolina and the United States, Dr. Hess is a nationally recognized dental educator. He offers hands-on courses for his professional peers and is an Associate Faculty Member at the Dawson Academy, a world-renowned post-graduate dental training and research facility.
Putting the Patient First
Many patients who visit Charlotte cosmetic dentist Dr. Hess have avoided the dentist for years out of anxiety, fearing dental treatment will be painful and expensive. Dr. Hess is dedicated to making each patient feel as comfortable as possible. He does this by spending extensive time with each patient, thoroughly explaining the condition and treatment plan, and educating patients on their options.
The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
When patients want cosmetic dentistry, it’s usually because they want to change the aesthetics of their smiles. But cosmetic dentistry doesn’t just have benefits for looks. There are other things cosmetic dentistry can provide.
Mental and Social Benefits
Your smile is one of the first things people see about you. They can also tell when you’re hiding and insecure about it. It can make you seem closed off when you focus on hiding your smile instead of laughing and talking in public. People who are insecure about their smiles are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. It has a huge impact on how you feel about yourself.
Not only does your smile impact your mental health, but it impacts how others perceive you. When you’re confident in your smile, you project confidence to everyone around you. People are more likely to be friends and engage with you socially when this happens. It can even improve your work life. Employers find people with good smiles more trustworthy, showing that you’re attentive to detail. You’re more likely to get that new job or a promotion.
Functional Benefits
Cosmetic dental problems often have underlying oral health causes. One of the best examples is crooked teeth. When your teeth are crooked, they don’t come together properly. You’re more likely to have cramped teeth and have them come together at odd angles. Crooked teeth are harder to clean than straight teeth because of this. Even if you’re brushing and flossing properly, you may still have plaque and tartar buildup because even our tools may not clean these areas properly.
When your teeth are crooked, your bite doesn’t come together properly. It’s designed to evenly distribute the pressure of your bite throughout every tooth in your smile. When your teeth are crooked, some teeth experience more pressure than others. These teeth wear down prematurely and are more likely to chip or fracture. This can lead to a need for restorative dentistry to treat those specific teeth.
An uneven bite is one of the main causes of TMJ disorders. The muscles that control jaw joint movement strain, and the jaw joint breaks down because it isn’t tracking smoothly. You may experience popping and clicking, pain throughout your head and jaw, and an inability to move your jaw in certain ways. The longer you leave this untreated, the more problems that will develop. An uneven bite will continue to make it worse.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Cosmetic dentistry improves both the look of your teeth and your oral health. Learn more about cosmetic dentistry by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Does dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
No. Most dental insurance providers consider cosmetic dentistry an elective form even though it can provide restorative solutions. Regarding paying for cosmetic treatment, Dr. Hess offers several affordable financing programs with flexible monthly payment options.
Can you remove dark stains on teeth?
Dark stains are usually attributed to deep decay, Fluorosis, Celiac disease, and other medical conditions. Deep, dark stains can be very resilient to traditional teeth whitening. We can cover those stains with cosmetic dentistry if your tooth is perfectly healthy. Some deep black spots on teeth are just cosmetic issues.
Is a smile makeover the same as cosmetic dentistry?
No. A smile makeover combines many cosmetic and restorative dental treatments into a plan that completely refreshes your smile. However, this does not mean we sacrifice function for beauty when working on your smile. If functional issues are present, we will fix those first.
What’s the difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses more on the aesthetics of your smile, while general dentistry focuses on regular care and maintaining your oral health. However, many cosmetic dental issues are caused by underlying oral health concerns. In this case, cosmetic dentistry can help both aesthetics and functionality. General dentistry focuses on preventative care to avoid more severe oral health problems in the future.
What’s the most common cosmetic dental concern?
The most common cosmetic complaint we hear is patients unhappy with their discolored teeth. Discolored teeth are something almost everyone will experience at some point in their lives. We offer multiple options to treat discolored teeth in our Charlotte dentist office.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
The main thing we look for is good oral health. We want to ensure your smile has a good foundation before we proceed with cosmetic treatment. We’ll treat any oral health concerns before addressing your cosmetic concerns. Cosmetic dentistry is not normally covered by dental insurance, so we’ll also discuss financing options.
Schedule an Appointment
Are you looking for a cosmetic dentistry office in the Monroe, NC, and Charlotte, NC, area? Schedule a consultation with an expert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Hess, today to learn how he can help you get the beautiful smile you deserve. We gladly welcome new patients and out-of-town patients.