Cosmetic Dentistry in Fresno, CA

Cosmetic dentistry is only intended to solve aesthetic issues with your smile, such as stained teeth, gaps in the teeth, misshapen and uneven teeth, and other such issues. It is not appropriate for treating damaged or unhealthy teeth, or for patients who may have very crooked teeth or other orthodontic problems.

As long as your mouth is healthy and you have cosmetic issues with your smile, you’re a good candidate for cosmetic dental treatments. However, if you have any significant oral health issues, these will have to be addressed before your cosmetic treatment can begin.

The answer is usually “no.” Very few dental insurance plans will cover dental care for purely cosmetic reasons. However, you may still wish to consult with your insurer to check your coverage.

While on the surface cosmetic dental treatment seems like it may only aim to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, it actually does so much more than that. Cosmetic dentistry can improve tooth functionality and oral health through corrective procedures that straighten misaligned teeth, repair eroded or cracked enamel, and replace missing teeth. 

Your teeth serve many essential functions in your oral health, from preserving bone density and your facial structure to helping you chew and speak clearly. While cosmetic treatment isn’t suitable for severe damage or orthodontic problems, it can improve these issues as a byproduct. 

Many cosmetic treatments are also restorative, such as dental bonding, which rebuilds tooth enamel that’s been eroded or covers chips and cracks in the teeth. This can prevent the tooth from breaking and becoming infected, and even close gaps between the teeth. 

Tooth contouring and clear aligners can also improve slightly crooked or misaligned teeth. Veneers provide your teeth with additional strength and durability while transforming your smile.

When you have misaligned or damaged teeth, you’re at increased risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth infections. Failing to replace missing teeth will result in irreversible bone loss and shifting teeth which will lead to bite problems and changes in your facial structure. 

By correcting minor orthodontic issues with clear aligners, you make it easier to brush and floss all of the surfaces of your teeth, which prevents plaque and tartar buildup. When you suffer from tooth damage, whether from dental trauma or teeth grinding, you risk breaking your tooth or infection. 

We can rebuild the tooth and cover up chips and cracks with dental bonding and veneers. CEREC or lab-made crowns are also available for more severe damage. If you’re missing a tooth, you can replace it with a dental implant. 

A dental implant is the only way to preserve the existing jawbone and restore the entire tooth, from the root to the crown. This will restore your ability to eat whatever you want, prevent your teeth from moving, and prevent premature facial sagging. 

Patients who whiten their teeth are also more likely to be persistent about maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental cleanings.

Yes, a broken tooth can definitely be saved depending on the severity of the breakage, the location of the break, and how soon you seek dental treatment. A tooth that has broken off at the gum line will need to be replaced. 

If you have a minor chip or crack, this can be repaired with dental bonding or veneers. A more severe fracture should be covered with a dental crown, which will hold the tooth together and provide significant protection to the tooth when you chew. 

We can fabricate crowns out of porcelain-fused-to-metal in this situation, so you are provided with significant strength as well as an aesthetically-pleasing tooth. If you knock out a tooth, we can often reattach it after stabilizing it with a tooth splint, but this is a very time-sensitive issue so the sooner you get here, the better chance Dr. Bauer has of saving the tooth.