Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures Des Plaines, IL
Improving your smile for senior pictures may also help you improve your dental health. This may lead to feelings of increased self-confidence and improved overall dental health. When it comes to preparing for senior pictures, it is best to start far in advance.
Solutions to improve your smile for senior pictures are available at Apple Family Dental in Des Plaines and the surrounding area. Enhancing your appearance can also help improve your dental health. Call us today at (847) 553-4848 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Benefits Beyond the Aesthetics
Although many cosmetic and restorative treatments focus on aesthetic goals, their benefits go far beyond an improved smile. As dental treatments become more common and accessible, many young adults are seeking long-term solutions that can also enhance their overall oral health. Bioesthetic dentistry refers to the theory and practice of observing both the oral cavity and facial structures in treatments to improve oral function and aesthetics.
For each type of treatment, there are at least a few advantages and benefits to the patient. Depending on the treatment, these advantages can include:
- Decreased risk of gum disease
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart disease, diabetes, and pneumonia
- Less tooth, gum, and jaw pain
- Lower chance of acquiring jaw-related conditions
- Enhanced smell of breath
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
Since the smile is one of the first physical features we see and is often a sign of joy, patients who limit smiling and laughing may be seen as shy or unhappy. Many patients are also unaware of the systemic conditions affected by poor oral health. We will go over all advantages of treatment during all consultation appointments.
“As dental treatments become more common and accessible, many young adults are seeking solutions that can also enhance their overall oral health long-term.”
Clear Aligners
One of the most common treatments done in preparation for senior pictures is teeth alignment. To forego the bulky brace-face look, many teens and adults are opting for clear aligners. Clear aligners are a discreet way to straighten the teeth by using clear plastic trays that gradually shift the teeth into proper alignment. This treatment can be done far in advance with the comfort of being discreet and removable.
Clear aligners are available through a variety of different brands. Generally, these devices can treat various orthodontic issues, such as overcrowding, spacing, improper bite, and diastema. Teeth alignment using clear aligners can often reduce the total treatment time, while some patients require only six months of treatment. An evaluation for clear aligner treatment will relay the patient's case, severity, and total treatment duration.
“Generally, these devices can treat various orthodontic issues, such as overcrowding, spacing, improper bite, and diastema.”
Dental Veneers for Senior Pictures
Dental veneers, also known as dental porcelain laminates, are thin, tooth-colored shells that cover the front surface of the teeth. They may consist of porcelain or resin composite materials, and they can enhance teeth's color, shape, size, or length. Veneers may be able to help patients whose teeth are chipped or broken, discolored, irregularly shaped, misaligned, worn down, uneven, or have gaps between them. Patients may be able to get veneers for one or more teeth.
Veneers are a natural-looking tooth enhancement option that do not require any prior, extensive shaping. Porcelain veneers, in particular, are stain-resistant and well-tolerated by gum tissue. By effectively replacing the outer layer of the teeth (or enamel), veneers can give the appearance of a more symmetrical smile without actually moving your teeth.
It typically takes about three dental appointments to get veneers. During the initial consultation, the patient will tell Apple Family Dental about the results they want, and Apple Family Dental will conduct a thorough examination to determine if veneers are right for them. The second appointment consists of preparation, where the teeth have their surfaces reshaped and Apple Family Dental makes a model or impression of the teeth. In the third appointment, the veneers are finally bonded to the teeth. This entire process generally takes a few weeks, as does aftercare. Our team recommends booking the procedure a few months in advance of any senior photos.
“Veneers are a natural-looking tooth enhancement option that do not require any prior, extensive shaping.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures in Des Plaines, IL
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, often referred to as tooth bonding, involves restoring a tooth using tooth-colored composite material. This bonding treatment can greatly enhance a patient's smile by improving or restoring decayed, cracked, broken, chipped, discolored, spaced-out, or irregularly-shaped teeth. It is also commonly done to elongate the teeth or change their size or shape. Many fillings today are done with bonded composite material as opposed to traditional silver amalgam.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. The length of time depends on the number of teeth being treated and the severity of symptoms. The teeth are slightly filed, then a liquid conditioner is used to help bond the composite material to the tooth. Once the material is applied, it is smoothed and molded to create the desired shape and mimic the surrounding natural teeth. A special blue light initiates the bonding process and sets the teeth.
“Dental bonding, often referred to as tooth bonding, involves restoring a tooth using tooth-colored composite material.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. When should I get veneers before senior photos?
Q. What are the benefits of dental treatment besides aesthetics?
Q. What is a composite filling?
People Also Ask
Q. How long does teeth whitening treatment take?
Q. How effective is professional teeth whitening treatment?
Q. What are some examples of purely cosmetic procedures?
Q. How should you choose the right treatment and cosmetic dentist?
Q. What types of restorative dental procedures are available?
Q. What are the benefits of teeth whitening?
Q. What are some of the types of cosmetic dental treatments?
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are relatively new and commonly used in place of traditional silver amalgam fillings. Tooth-colored composite resin can both save a tooth from further decay and damage and appear to be a healthy natural tooth. This material primarily serves patients with mild to moderate decay as drilling or removing extensive decay can lead to further complications in the tooth and surrounding area.
Composite filling treatments are done in the same way as traditional amalgam fillings. The patient will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. Once numbing is in effect, we will remove the decay and place the composite material. A special light bonds the material to the remaining tooth structure and hardens it into one singular piece. Although fillings are generally done to "fill" a decayed tooth, composite is also used to repair broken or damaged teeth.
“Tooth-colored composite resin can both save a tooth from further decay and damage and appear to be a healthy natural tooth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How early should I start receiving dental treatments before senior pictures?
A. Young patients should begin seeking treatment as early as possible. Some treatments, such as teeth-straightening, may take up to one or two years to complete. Patients may also need more than one treatment to achieve their desired results. Furthermore, cosmetic treatments are often performed after completing all necessary dental procedures that affect oral health, which may prolong total treatment time.
Q. How much do cosmetic treatments cost?
A. The cost of treatment depends on the patient's case, procedure type, severity, and age. Crest offers a list of common cosmetic treatments and their average costs. We recommend speaking with your insurance provider to determine what your plan covers and discuss possible co-pays.
Q. How is cosmetic treatment determined?
A. In most cases, patients seeking cosmetic treatment are unsatisfied with their smile. In other cases, their dentist may recommend treatment or inform them of their options. In either case, a general or cosmetic dentist will likely perform a smile assessment and physical examination to determine the right treatments for them. From then, they will discuss their treatment options, duration, benefits, and cost.
Q. Are cosmetic treatments safe?
A. Cosmetic treatments are generally safe unless a patient is going through with it against a dentist's recommendations. Some patients may not be qualified for a certain treatment or procedure, such as with composite fillings - decay cannot be extensive or close to the nerve. Safety, risk factors, and complications are all discussed during the initial consultation.
Q. What is the fastest treatment for an enhanced smile?
A. Any cosmetic treatment that can be performed in one or two visits is the quickest way to achieve a new and improved smile. These include dental veneers, bonding, and composite fillings, although there is a plethora of other same-day treatments. Communicate your desired results and timeframe during the consultation, and we can help narrow down options that fall within them.
Scan here to view this page, Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures, on mobile
Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology
Learn More Today
Improving your smile for senior pictures may leave you with feelings of self-confidence and overall enhanced dental health that outlast high school. We at Apple Family Dental may be able to help. Call us today at (847) 553-4848 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business and website security
- Apple Family Dental was established in 1994.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Cook County and Lake County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Des Plaines, Niles, Glenview, Morton Grove, Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Wheeling, Skokie, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, and Prospect Heights
- National Provider Identifier Database (1558090167). View NPI Registry Information
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Apple Family Dental on mobile
Back to top of Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures
Related Posts
How A Dental Bridge Can Improve Your Oral Health
A dental bridge works by filling up the gaps created by lost teeth. Dental implants or crowns support the pontic or prosthetic tooth from either side. Dental bridges provide many benefits, including improving one's ability to eat and communicate. They help protect the jawbone and stop the rest of the teeth from moving into the…
When A Deep Teeth Cleaning Is Recommended For Periodontal Health
Going to the dental office regularly likely means that the teeth will be cleaned on a routine basis, however, this does not mean that a deep teeth cleaning will be done. A deep teeth cleaning is actually different than the routine one that is done at a check-up. Many patients initially believe that a deep…
Why You Should Rest After A Tooth Extraction
Undergoing a tooth extraction can be stressful. Dentists do everything they can to save natural teeth, but sometimes, removing the tooth is the way to restore oral health and prevent complications. After the procedure, the dentist will provide instructions regarding aftercare to ensure quick and proper healing.After tooth extraction, patients do not exactly need to…
Welcome To Apple Family Dental
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Des Plaines, IL area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Implant Supported Dentures, Dentures, Partial Dentures and Dental Crowns.
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Apple Family Dental on mobile