Cosmetic Dentistry Options in New Haven, CT for the Smile You Want

If you catch yourself looking at your teeth in photos and wishing one detail were different, you're far from alone, and you probably have more options than you realize. Cosmetic dentistry covers a range of treatments that brighten, repair, reshape and straighten teeth, from a single whitening visit to a complete smile makeover. This guide walks through what each option can do, organized by the concerns people bring to us most, so you can picture which ones might fit your smile before you visit our New Haven dental office.

Brightening teeth that have lost their shine

Professional teeth whitening is usually the simplest way to brighten a smile that has dulled or yellowed over time. We offer in-office whitening, which brightens your smile in a single visit, and custom take-home trays that let you whiten gradually at your own pace. We help you choose based on your timeline, any sensitivity you have and the result you want.

Whitening works on natural enamel and doesn't change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings, a point the ADA also makes in its guide to teeth whitening. If you're planning other cosmetic work, we whiten first and match everything else to your new shade. You can read more about professional teeth whitening on our site.

Smoothing chips, gaps and uneven edges

Small chips, little gaps and teeth that look uneven can often be refined with gentle, conservative treatments. Each one works a little differently:

• Cosmetic bonding uses a tooth-colored material shaped right onto your tooth to repair a chip or close a small gap, and it can often be done in a single visit. Learn more about cosmetic bonding.
• Cosmetic contouring gently reshapes teeth that are a little too long, pointed or uneven by smoothing a tiny amount of surface enamel. A dental laser can also even out a gum line that shows more than you'd like.
• Porcelain veneers are thin, custom porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth to change their color, shape and alignment when you'd like a bigger change.

We'll tell you which of these suits your teeth, and sometimes the answer is a combination.

Straightening and rebuilding your smile

Crooked, worn or missing teeth have cosmetic answers too, and many of them help your teeth work better as well as look better. Invisalign straightens crowded or spaced teeth with clear, removable aligners, and crowded teeth are harder to keep clean, so straightening them supports your dental health. Crowns restore teeth that are cracked, worn or weak, and we match each one to your natural teeth so it blends in.

When teeth are missing, we restore them with natural-looking teeth designed with the same cosmetic eye. The ADA's overview of ways to improve your smile is a helpful companion if you'd like to read about these treatments side by side.

Bringing several changes together

When you have more than one concern, a smile makeover plans every change together so the finished smile looks balanced. We look at your whole face, how your lips move and which teeth show when you smile, then combine only the treatments that will make a real difference. Dr. Lerch, one of the first women to be Accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, designs every plan so your smile looks natural and completely like you.

When to talk with a cosmetic dentist

If something about your smile makes you hold back, a consultation is the easiest next step, and you don't need to know which treatment you want before you call. We'll look at your teeth and gums, listen to what you'd like to change, and walk you through your options with clear pricing. Cosmetic dentistry is fee-for-service, and our treatment coordinator can help with financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon.

Frequently asked questions

Does dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Dental insurance doesn't cover cosmetic dentistry, so cosmetic treatment is fee-for-service. For general dentistry we're in-network with Delta Dental of New Jersey. If you're not sure where your care falls, call us and we'll help you sort it out, and our treatment coordinator can walk you through financing options.

Can I whiten my teeth if I already have crowns or veneers?

Whitening brightens natural enamel and doesn't change the color of crowns or veneers. You can still whiten your natural teeth, and we'll help you choose a shade that works with your existing dental work. If you're planning new crowns or veneers, we whiten first and then match the new work to your shade.

How do I know which cosmetic treatment is right for me?

You don't have to figure it out alone. At your consultation we look at your teeth, gums and face together, listen to what you'd like to change, and explain which options would help and why. We recommend only what will make a real difference, so you can decide with confidence.

Is cosmetic dentistry only about how my teeth look?

Often it helps in other ways too. Invisalign straightens crowded teeth that are harder to keep clean, and crowns restore strength to teeth that are cracked or worn. We plan every cosmetic treatment around both how your smile looks and how well your teeth work for years to come.

Whatever you'd like to change, we'd love to help you find the right path to it. Call our New Haven, CT dental team at (203) 624-5256, visit us at 375 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511, or reach out through our contact page to book your consultation.

Published by Center for Esthetic Dentistry.