Do you want a brighter smile? Are chips and cracks in your teeth making daily life uncomfortable? Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dental care that can fix problems like stained, crooked, and damaged teeth for a straighter, brighter-looking smile. We offer Invisalign, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and teeth whitening treatments to help improve the health and aesthetics of the smile. We welcome our patients to learn more about their cosmetic dentistry treatments in our Bethesda, MD office by reading answers to commonly asked questions from patients about what cosmetic dental care can do for their smiles.
FAQs: Cosmetic Dentistry in Bethesda, MD
Learn more about cosmetic dental treatments with answers to these commonly asked questions:
What are my whitening options if I have sensitive teeth?
If you have very sensitive teeth, we will recommend professional whitening but with reduced treatment times.
Veneers and bonding treatments can also address tooth stains on one or more teeth. Dental veneers cover teeth with porcelain shells. Bonding treatment uses a malleable composite that we sculpt and cure onto prepared teeth.
Do you need to wear Invisalign during sleep?
Yes, because we recommend that patients wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, patients will need to wear their Invisalign aligners during sleep.
What is the “white diet” after teeth whitening treatment?
The white diet consists of foods that do not easily stain the tooth enamel. We do not recommend that patients consume acidic or pigmented foods 48 hours after a teeth whitening treatment. Instead, we recommend the “white diet.”
Foods included in the white diet are:
- Pasta
- Tofu
- Fish
- Chicken
- Rice
- Bananas
- Cauliflower
- Yogurt
- Cheese
Do I need dental veneers or tooth bonding for damaged teeth?
We will often recommend dental bonding treatment for patients with damaged teeth over dental veneers. While dental veneers can address small chips and cracks in the enamel, they can only cover the front of the enamel.
Dental bonding can add more structure to fractured teeth to create the right shape. Bonding uses a malleable resin that we shape and cure on the teeth.
Are dental veneers permanent?
Dental veneers are permanent because patients need to be committed to veneer treatment. Before we place the veneers, we prepare the teeth by etching the tooth enamel.
Preparing teeth for veneers ensures that they don’t look or feel bulky and fit comfortably on the enamel. Only a dental professional can remove veneers. Additionally, patients cannot show their natural teeth again after the tooth preparation process, so they will need to continually wear veneers.
Is dental bonding cheaper than veneers?
Yes, bonding treatment can be a more economical option for patients than veneers. While dental bonding treatment is less expensive, dental veneers can last longer and are stain-resistant.
Do you want to improve your natural smile? Call Bethesda Family Smiles for treatment today at 301.500.2205. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Srotalina Khanna online. If you have any more questions about your cosmetic options, please let us know on your next visit.