Are you tired of hiding your smile? If you have flaws and imperfections in your teeth, you may feel self-conscious about them. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry can help restore your grin and confidence! From teeth whitening to porcelain veneers to Invisalign, there are many options available to meet your oral health goals and needs. But if you suffer from dental anxiety, you may be hesitant to seek treatment. Read on to learn how cosmetic dental work is much more comfortable and painless than you think!
Does It Hurt to Get Cosmetic Dental Work?
Some patients get racked with nerves in the days approaching a dental procedure. If this sounds like you, don’t worry – thanks to advancements in technology and sedation methods, cosmetic dentistry doesn’t have to hurt!
Nowadays, most cosmetic dentists use less invasive techniques and preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. Some even offer sedation dentistry for patients with severe anxiety. Rest assured, your cosmetic dentist will do whatever possible to give you a comfortable, pleasant, and safe experience.
What Can I Expect from My Treatment?
Several cosmetic procedures can help you achieve a perfect smile, although some are more invasive than others. Here’s what you can expect from the following treatments:
- Porcelain Veneers – It’s considered a minimally invasive procedure since your teeth do require minimal preparation. However, the procedure is essentially painless since it just involves adhering thin porcelain shells to the front surfaces of your teeth.
- Dental Bonding – A composite resin is placed on your tooth and sculpted to disguise any flaws or damage. There’s no drilling or trimming of your natural enamel, meaning you should experience no discomfort following this treatment!
- Teeth Whitening –This is one of the most popular procedures and causes virtually no discomfort! The only side effect you may experience is tooth sensitivity, which can persist anywhere from a few days to a few weeks following your procedure.
Aftercare Tips
One of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry is that most procedures have little to no recovery time! However, more invasive procedures, like porcelain veneers, will require a bit of aftercare. Following treatment, you may experience tooth sensitivity and tender, sore, or swollen gums.
You can alleviate any discomfort by:
- Holding a cold compress over the area where you feel pain
- Taking over-the-counter medication as needed
- Diligently following aftercare instructions provided by your dentist
As you can see, you can achieve your dream smile with minimal discomfort. Consult with your cosmetic dentist to discuss your options and start your journey towards a confident, picture-perfect grin.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Graffeo has a stellar track record of advanced training and clinical experience that spans over 25 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the NYU College of Dentistry in 1990. Dr. Graffeo’s utmost priority is patient comfort, meaning he’ll do everything possible to ensure you have a pleasant experience while undergoing cosmetic dental work. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (201) 683-3531.