Things To Know Before Cosmetic Dentistry

I started grinding my teeth many years ago. Over the years, my dentists would all HIGHLY recommend that I get a night guard to help protect my teeth from wear. Of course, I didn’t listen. Looking back, I was such a fool. So in case you are reading this and your dentist recommends getting a nightguard, DO IT!

About 5 years ago, my dentist had told me that he was concerned about the severe wear, specifically my 4 front teeth. They were so worn down that two of them had vertical cracks. That’s when I knew I didn’t have much time left and needed to start interviewing dentists. That’s when I started looking into what was available in cosmetic dentistry in Houston.

The advantage of living in the 4th largest city in the country meant that I had so many dentists to research. Maybe too many, lol. When I started interviewing dentists, I quickly learned that there was a BIG difference that I was not aware of initially. There are general dentists, cosmetic dentists, and prosthodontists. It’s super important you know what type of dentist you are working with before making a decision on who will perform your cosmetic dentistry. Understanding the differences between the three is a great first start.

What is the difference between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist?

A general dentist will focus primarily on treating oral diseases and also preventing health issues in the mouth. They examine x-rays and come up with treatment plans to help you achieve or maintain your oral health. If your general dentist hasn’t completed additional training in an area or has experience performing a certain treatment you want, they will likely refer you to another dentist who has more expertise with the procedure.

Cosmetic dentists, also known as aesthetic dentists, focus on the overall aesthetic appearance of teeth, bite, and gums. They have invested more time and money into continuing education in cosmetic dentistry. Offering aesthetic procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and teeth bonding. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can correct chipped, discolored, and missing teeth to help you create a nicer smile.

What is the difference between a prosthodontist and a cosmetic dentist?

This to me is the most important difference. Cosmetic dentists are general dentists who have attended additional educational seminars and courses in cosmetic dentistry. Prosthodontists are specialized doctors. They do an additional three years in school for their title and are also recognized by the ADA. Prosthodontists are extensively trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating complex dental conditions.

This is what the education of a prosthodontist involves:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Dental school 
• The National Board Dental Examinations to become a licensed Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)
• A three-year residency and education through an ADA-accredited (approved) prosthodontic graduate program 
• An American Board of Prosthodontics certification exam

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is a great resource to use before deciding on a doctor for your particular treatment or service.

Where I Had My Cosmetic Dentristy Done

Now that we got that all covered, let’s get into the good stuff and dive into my experience. I decided to go with The Dental Studio. They had a location in Cypress, TX, and Spring, TX. Dr. Gabriel Sader and Dr. Giancarlo Aymerich were both prosthodontics at the Cypress location. The doctor who performed my procedure was Dr. Giancarlo Aymerich. He currently operates the Cypress location and Dr. Gabriel Sader is now exclusively at his Spring, TX office. If you live closer to that area you may want to check out my blogger friend, Madison Payne, who had her cosmetic dentistry done by Dr. Sader. You can watch her youtube video on her experience.

What I Had Done

Ok, so what did I have done. I had 2 crowns placed on my front teeth and 3 veneers on either side. My two front teeth were not strong enough to hold a veneer so we had to do a crown on both. The biggest difference is that the crown wraps around my entire tooth vs a veneer lays on the front part of the tooth. What that also means is that my two natural front teeth had to be ground down more than my teeth with the veneers. Something I wasn’t excited about initially but it’s the reason I went with Dr. Giancarlo Aymerich since he is extremely conservative about keeping as much of the natural tooth as possible. Something that was very important to me.

Do crowns look as good as veneers?

Two of my biggest concerns were, “Will my teeth look natural to my face?” and “Will the crowns look out of place and match my veneers?”. To answer my two main questions, yes they look equally as natural as my teeth with veneers. This is why it’s so very important to select a good dentist with extensive training and experience. Because I grind my teeth and had severely damaged front teeth, crowns were my better option for those two front teeth. You need a good amount of natural tooth to support veneers, and my front teeth would not be able to support a veneer. A crown encases the whole tooth, with the ceramic material usually measuring 2mm thick. It’s a good option for teeth that have had major damage.

Cosmetic dentistry disadvantages of veneers or crowns?

This is where I won’t sugarcoat anything and will give it to you straight. With any cosmetic dental work, there is always an opportunity for things to get chipped or to break. The key to avoiding this is by sticking to a regular dental care routine, seeing your dentist regularly, not eating certain things (like chomping on ice cubes), and also flossing a certain way. Veneers and crowns are beautiful but do require you to take care of them. You need to be ready for that. Crowns and veneers can last about 15-20years if taken care of properly. Some people even longer. It all depends on a person’s particular situation and how well they care for their teeth.

Do crowns and veneers hurt?

My dentist did an amazing job numbing me throughout the whole process so I didn’t feel much during most of the procedure. I did, however, feel pressure from time to time but that was about it. Nothing that was unbearable which is what I imagined in my mind lol. It did take a few weeks to adjust to having a new smile and new teeth in my mouth. I did have some sensitivity but it went away fairly quickly. I also think when you do get dental work you have more awareness about your teeth and mouth than normal.

Cosmetic Dentistry Tips I Want To Share

-Be sure to ask many questions during your consultation. About the procedure, timeline, their education, training etc.

-On the day of the procedure wear comfortable clothing and bring AirPods to listen to music or a podcast to keep you relaxed and your mind occupied.

-Make sure you work with a doctor that will listen to you and not rush you through the process. It took me several visits to finally decide on a color for my crowns/veneers. I didn’t do the Hollywood white (bleached teeth) look since they always look so fake in person. I wanted something that looked more natural to my skin tone but definitely lighter/brighter than my natural teeth. Like I got really good teeth whitening treatment. Grateful that my doctor gave me the opportunity to do temporary teeth before deciding on my permanent ones. That time really helped me figure out the color I wanted and also if I needed to make any adjustments.

-Even though changes can be made after you get your permanent teeth installed, you want to avoid that if at all possible since it will cost you additional money. You want to make sure that you get all the details squared away before you install your permanent teeth. A good dentist will walk you through it and make you feel comfortable all along the way without feeling rushed or pressured.

-Veneers are super popular but that does not mean everyone can get them. A good dentist will examine your teeth and decide if you are the right candidate for them.

Thank you to The Dental Studio for sponsoring this post and to Dr. Giancarlo Aymerich for the life-changing experience. I love my new smile and can’t believe what I see now when I look in the mirror.