COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN CORAL GABLES, FL
Cosmetic Dentistry
Your smile is usually the first thing people notice about you when they meet you for the first time. Therefore, a healthy, beautiful smile- or lack thereof- affects your oral health, your overall health, your self-confidence, and how the world sees you. Dr. Jose Abadin at Abadin Dental offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures to improve your smile.
Why Choose Cosmetic Dental Procedures?
- Brighten stained or discolored teeth
- Repair cracks or fractures
- Fill gaps between teeth
- Correct overcrowding
- Reshape teeth
- Replace missing teeth
- Replace old metallic restorations, such as fillings and crowns
Since dental veneers can fix all of the above and more, this is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic dental procedures.
When looking for a cosmetic dentist, it’s important to choose one that is qualified in the area that you’ve chosen. Dr. Abadin received his B.S. in 1984 from Creighton University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Georgetown in 1988. After dental school, he completed a one-year advanced program in comprehensive dentistry at Dade County Dental Research Clinic. He is also a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
When you choose Abadin Dental, you’re in good hands. Dr. Abadin specializes in cosmetic dental procedures, so you can be sure that you’ll receive the highest quality treatment possible.
Research shows that 38% of cosmetic dental patients are between the ages of 31 and 40, while 32% are between the ages of 41 to 50. It’s also important to note that 96% of cosmetic dental patients are female.
Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
At Abadin Dental, we offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures. Dr. Abadin and the team will work with you to determine the best solution for your smile. We look forward to giving you back your smile and improving your confidence.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells made to fit over your natural teeth. They improve your smile by changing the overall appearance of your natural teeth. They look natural and are stain resistant and long-lasting. Since the results last longer, many of our patients choose veneers over teeth whitening or dental bonding.
Veneers are a good solution for patients who have:
- Worn down teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth
If it is determined that porcelain veneers are the best option for you, here’s how the procedure will go:
- Abadin will remove some enamel from the front and sides of the teeth to make room.
- An impression will be made of the prepared tooth/teeth
- We will work with you to find a shade that matches your natural teeth so that it looks natural
- The impression will be sent to a lab to make the custom porcelain veneer, which may take several weeks. Your natural teeth will be covered with a temporary veneer while you wait
- When the veneer is ready, the temporary one will be removed and the permanent one placed to confirm that it fits and looks right
- Your teeth will be cleaned, and the veneer will be bonded to your tooth/teeth
Benefits of Veneers
Porcelain veneers are strong and long-lasting. This cosmetic dental procedure can give you a more beautiful smile. They don’t stain and you can choose a shade that matches the rest of your teeth, so it looks natural. If you choose to cover all of your teeth with whiter veneers, you get a tooth-whitening effect.
Drawbacks
While porcelain veneers are long-lasting, they do not last a lifetime. You will need to replace them every 5 to 15 years. Also, porcelain is more expensive than some of the other options.
Cost of Veneers
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than other types of cosmetic dental procedures- but you get what you pay for. Veneers are made to last a long time and give you the best smile makeover results.
Teeth Whitening
Many times, one of the first things people do to enhance their smile is whitening their teeth. There are so many options available, both at-home and in-office. However, results may vary from one person to another and some options are better than others, depending on the types of stains you have. There are two types of tooth stains:
Intrinsic: stains within the teeth, caused by trauma or exposure to certain chemicals/minerals, also a natural part of aging
Extrinsic: surface stains, caused by tobacco use, as well as certain foods/beverages
If your stains are deep extrinsic stains, you may want to choose in-office whitening instead of at-home treatments. Dark-colored foods/beverages and tobacco products can cause these stains. Poor oral hygiene habits can also cause this type of staining.
For most patients, professional teeth whitening is effective, but it’s not appropriate for everyone. If you have the following, your teeth may be resistant to teeth whitening treatments:
- Trauma
- Fluorosis
- Stains caused by antibiotics such as tetracycline
- Thin enamel/dentin exposure
- Inorganic tooth stains due to tobacco use, natural aging, consuming dark-colored foods/beverages, and poor oral hygiene habits
- Developmental defects
If these apply to you, other alternatives such as veneers or bonding may be more appropriate.
Results from teeth whitening treatments vary depending on your oral hygiene habits as well as the treatment used. LED and tray-based treatments last the longest, especially if they are applied in-office. The effects from one session can last up to a year.
Your diet and oral hygiene habits play a role in the effectiveness of teeth whitening treatments. If you consume dark-colored foods/beverages regularly, your results may not last very long. Also, if you don’t practice proper oral hygiene habits, it can cause plaque and debris build up on your teeth, which compromises the teeth whitening results.
To ensure that your results last longer, you will need to:
- Carefully follow Dr. Abadin’s instructions following the treatment
- Practice proper oral hygiene habits (brush and rinse twice daily, floss once)
- Pay attention to your diet
- Avoid smoking
- Don’t drink alcohol excessively
Cost of Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening treatments cost $200 to $1,000+. Unfortunately, many dental insurance providers label teeth whitening as an elective procedure, so it may not be covered.
Teeth Straightening
- Invisalign
- Traditional braces
Invisalign
Invisalign was introduced to the public in 1998. Since that time, it has become the preferred way of straightening teeth- especially for our adult patients, since the aligners are virtually invisible. These clear plastic aligners are designed to be worn for 1 to 2 weeks before switching to a new set. They gradually shift your teeth into the appropriate position.
Invisalign works for most cases of malocclusion, including overbites, open bites, crowded teeth, gapped teeth, underbites, and crossbites. Patients who have severe malocclusion may need alternative treatment, such as traditional braces.
Invisalign is more convenient because you don’t have to come into the office for adjustments or check-ups nearly as often.
Treatment time varies and depends on the severity of your malocclusion. Most patients see full results within a year, though in some cases, it may take a little longer. Some patients even see full results within 6 months. The cost of Invisalign is similar to that of traditional braces, between $3,500 to $8,000.
Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces are made up of metal brackets attached to your teeth with a wire attached. They are held together by rubber bands. The wire puts pressure on the teeth, shifting them into their proper position.
Metal braces are effective and reliable- and have been available much longer than clear aligners. However, most teens and adults prefer the aligners.
Treatment times vary depending on the severity of your condition, with most patients seeing results in 18 to 36 months. The average cost is between $2,500 to $7,000.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that covers a tooth that is damaged beyond repair due to trauma or decay. Crowns are also used to replace missing teeth with dental implants. Crowns are typically made from metal, ceramic, metal-ceramic blend, or composite resin.
Steps for Dental Crowns
Generally, it takes more than one visit to get a crown. There are several steps involved:
Consultation for Dental Crowns
First, Dr. Abadin will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine if a crown is necessary. He will take note of the color of the surrounding teeth to ensure that the crown matches- especially if it’s a front tooth.
This will also be the time that you can ask any questions and bring up any concerns you may have. If you have dental anxiety and require sedation, please let us know at this time.
Tooth Preparation
Your tooth will need to be prepared to ensure that the crown fits properly. If you are getting dental implants, the affected tooth will need to be extracted and the site prepared for the implant. Before getting started, a local anesthetic will be injected, and work will begin once the area is numb.
Impressions/Fabrication of Crown
Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Abadin will gently pull your gum tissue back from the tooth to get a good impression of the tooth to send to the lab. At the lab, a physical or virtual model will be made based on the impression. The model will be used to fabricate the crown in the chosen material.
Temporary Crown
A temporary crown will be attached to your tooth while you wait for the permanent one to be made. It will be attached with temporary dental cement. Once your permanent crown comes back from the lab, we will schedule you to come in and have it placed.
Permanent Crown
Dr. Abadin will remove the temporary crown and clean the tooth and the area around the tooth. Then, the permanent crown will be placed. In some cases, slight adjustments may be required. Once the crown fits perfectly, it will be cemented to your tooth with long-lasting dental cement. Before leaving the office, you will be provided with aftercare instructions.
Benefits & Risks of Porcelain Crown
Dental crowns offer a few benefits:
- Restore natural tooth shape/function
- Improves smile
- Protects underlying tooth from further damage or infection
- Allows tooth structure to be salvaged instead of extracting the tooth and placing dental implants
On the other hand, there are a few risks involved:
- Increased sensitivity
- Wear/damage to opposing teeth
- Chipping/breaking
- Loosening/falling out
- Allergic reactions
- Tooth decay/gum disease around the crown
Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of a dental crown ranges from $500 to $2,500, depending on the material and your dental insurance coverage. If your dental crown is medically necessary, your insurance may cover up to half of the cost. On the other hand, if it is strictly for cosmetic purposes, it may cover little to none of the cost.
Smile Makeover
A “smile makeover” is also known as full-mouth reconstruction. This is a set of dental procedures to replace/rebuild most or all of a patient’s teeth to restore functionality and improve aesthetics.
A smile makeover is often recommended for patients who have the following:
- Multiple missing or damaged teeth due to decay or trauma
- Excessive decay/gum disease
- Severe tooth wear/tear due to acid erosion or grinding
- Genetic conditions that cause poor tooth development
These issues can affect a patient’s bite, ability to use their teeth and appearance. A smile makeover can fix them.
The primary difference between a smile makeover and full mouth reconstruction is that a smile makeover is usually cosmetic and therefore, elective. On the other hand, full-mouth reconstruction restores functionality as well as improves aesthetics and is usually medically necessary. A smile makeover usually involves aesthetic treatments such as veneers or teeth whitening.
Cost of Smile Makeover
Since there are several procedures involved, the cost of a smile makeover varies depending on the treatments. Modest treatment may be around $15,000 while a comprehensive one may be up to $80,000. If the smile makeover is purely cosmetic, dental insurance may not cover it. However, if some of the procedures are deemed medically necessary, a portion of the cost may be covered.
Tooth-colored Fillings
What to expect
If you are getting a tooth-colored filling, here’s what you can expect:
Dr. Abadin will administer the anesthesia and once the area is numb, will get to work on the affected tooth. A dental drill will be used to remove the decay and the area will be cleaned and dried. An adhesive will be applied to the tooth so that the filling can bond with it. The composite resin will be placed into the tooth and a small UV light will be used to solidify the resin. Finally, your bite will be tested to ensure that the filling is even with the surrounding teeth.
Depending on your lifestyle and oral hygiene, composite fillings can last anywhere from 3 to 7 years. Genetics may also play a role in the life expectancy of composite fillings. In this case, amalgam fillings are better- but many of our patients are more concerned with their appearance than with the longevity of their fillings.
Cost of Composite Fillings
Composite fillings typically cost $90+, while amalgam fillings start around $50. Most dental insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost.
Dental Bonding
For patients with damaged teeth, dental bonding is one of the most popular and affordable restorative treatment options. There are two types of bonding:
- Direct dental bonding
- Indirect dental bonding
The reason dental bonding is so popular is that it can be completed in 1 to 2 office visits and is non-invasive and completely painless.
Dental bonding can be used as a solution for several minor dental issues, such as:
- Damaged teeth
- Change the shape of teeth
- Close small gaps/spaces
- Improve discoloration
- Relieve the pain of exposed tooth roots
- Fill a cavity instead of amalgam or composite fillings
Cost of Dental Bonding
The cost depends on the severity of the condition and how many teeth are involved. In most cases, dental insurance will cover this treatment. The average cost of dental bonding is:
- Direct composite dental bonding: $300 to $600 per tooth
- Direct composite veneer bonding: $250 to $1,500 per tooth
- Indirect dental bonding: $650 to $1,200 per tooth
Gum Contouring
Dental Insurance & Financing Options
Many dental insurance providers label cosmetic dental treatments as elective procedures, so they do not cover them. However, if the dentist deems the treatments “medically necessary”, the insurance company may cover them.
Dr. Abadin will create a treatment plan based on your oral health- not what your dental insurance will cover. This means that you may have to pay some expenses out of pocket, but our friendly office staff will work with your dental insurance provider to determine coverage.
If you do have to pay for treatments out of pocket and cannot afford to pay for it upfront, we do offer financing options. GreenSky allows you to get the treatment you need when you need it. There are three simple steps in the application process. Once you’re approved, you can begin using it right away. We also offer financing through Lending Point and CareCredit.
These three financing options allow you to access the treatments you need that your insurance doesn’t cover.
