Cosmetic dentistry, planned with you.

What cosmetic dental treatments are available?

That last column is the one most worth reading twice. The reversible options are always discussed first, because a treatment that removes tooth structure is a commitment you will maintain for the rest of your life.

How does a smile design consultation work?

You will be asked what bothers you, in your own words, before anything is measured. “My front tooth is darker than the others” and “I don’t like my smile in photographs” lead to very different plans. Dr. Walker then examines the underlying health of the teeth and gums, photographs the smile at rest and in full expression, assesses how your teeth sit relative to your lip line and midline, and checks the bite — because a cosmetic result that does not survive the way you chew is not a result.

You will leave with options, what each one involves, roughly how long each takes, and what each costs, in writing. Nothing is scheduled at the consultation unless you want it to be.

Are porcelain veneers right for me?

Veneers are thin porcelain facings bonded to the front of a tooth. They can change color, shape, length, and apparent alignment at once, which is why they are the answer to “I want to change several things.” They require that a small amount of enamel be removed, which is the part to think carefully about: enamel does not grow back, and the tooth will need a veneer or crown from then on.

Good candidates have healthy gums, no untreated decay, enough sound enamel to bond to, and a bite that is not destroying what is already there. Patients who clench or grind are not excluded, but they will be fitted for a night guard as part of the plan, because porcelain under a heavy grinding habit will fracture.

What veneers can and cannot do

• Can — brighten teeth that do not respond to whitening, close small gaps, even out length and shape, mask intrinsic discoloration
• Can — be made in a shade that suits your complexion rather than a uniform white
• Cannot — substitute for orthodontics on significant crowding or a bite problem
• Cannot — be placed over active gum disease or decay and be expected to last
• Cannot — be removed and leave the tooth as it was

Will it look obviously done?

Not if it is planned for your face. The signature of bad cosmetic dentistry is uniformity: ten identical rectangles in a single flat white, with no translucency at the edges and no variation between the central and lateral incisors. Natural teeth are not like that. Shade is selected against your skin and eyes, length is set to your lip line, and small asymmetries are usually preserved on purpose.

If what you want is conspicuously bright and even, that is a legitimate choice too — it just needs to be a choice you made rather than one that happened to you.

What does cosmetic dentistry cost in Decatur?

It depends entirely on which treatment and how many teeth, which is why we give written estimates after a consultation rather than quoting ranges beforehand. In general: whitening is the least expensive intervention, bonding sits in the middle for a single tooth, and veneers are priced per tooth, so the total scales with how many are involved.

Most cosmetic treatment is not covered by dental benefit plans, since insurers classify it as elective. Where a tooth needs restoration for health reasons and the restoration happens to be visible, there is often partial coverage. Third-party financing through Sunbit and CareCredit is available for treatment plans paid over time — see financing.