Cosmetic Makeovers in Thousand Oaks

To be a good candidate for a cosmetic makeover, you should be in good oral health, not have severely damaged teeth, and have realistic expectations of what a cosmetic makeover can do for you. 

Those who wish to undergo procedures like dental implants will need to be in good overall health and also have sufficient bone support. Otherwise, you will require additional procedures like bone grafts. If you have active oral health problems or severe damage, you will need to undergo restorative treatments before we can move forward with a cosmetic makeover. 

You should also understand that a cosmetic makeover can vary drastically in how long the results will take and how much it will cost.

It's worth noting that dental insurance policies differ from one provider to the next.  In general, however, most insurance providers don't cover cosmetic makeovers or other forms of cosmetic dental work. This is because insurers typically only cover dental procedures (read restorative dental procedures)  that are medically necessary, such as those that improve oral functionality.

Cosmetic dental work is primarily done to improve a patient's appearance and confidence, which is not considered medically necessary. Therefore, it’s not surprising that some insurance providers are reluctant to cover cosmetic dental work.

That said, some cosmetic dental work counts as restorative dental work. A good example is dental implants necessary for patients with missing teeth. In such cases, the dental insurer might cover treatment, but usually a portion of the cost. Patients will have to pay for the remaining cost out-of-pocket. Be sure to consult with your insurer to see if they cover cosmetic makeovers.

Recovery time for a cosmetic or smile makeover depends on the type of cosmetic work you have done. It also depends on your overall aesthetic goals and the dentist's proficiency in handling your cosmetic procedures.

For instance, patients who get dental bonding will recover immediately after the procedure since it's non-invasive and doesn’t require anesthesia. Patients undergoing teeth whitening will also recover immediately. However, some people may experience slight sensitivity in their teeth that disappears within a few days.

Recovery for ‘cosmetic’ dental implants takes months since it involves drilling holes into the jawbone. The jawbone will fuse with the dental implants during these recovery months in a process known as osseointegration. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatments like braces also take months to get perfectly straight teeth. Patients getting Veneers and dental crowns, on the other hand, need two to three days to recover.

No, cosmetic dental procedures generally don’t hurt. That’s because dentists administer anesthesia for cosmetic procedures that involve incisions or drilling the teeth or jawbone. They’ll also use standard procedures that have been refined over the years to ensure safety and painlessness throughout.

That said, patients might experience modest levels of pain and discomfort following certain procedures. Examples of cosmetic dental work associated with post-treatment pain include dental implants, crowns, veneers, and certain orthodontic treatments. The dentist will recommend painkillers to help manage the pain, but you can also use ice packs and saltwater rinses to achieve the same.

It’s worth noting that pain tolerance varies from patient to patient. Some patients may also be more resistant to anesthesia than others, meaning they’ll experience slight pain during the procedure. If you’re resistant to a certain type of anesthesia be sure to inform the dentist and they'll arrange for an extra dose or alternative anesthesia.