Some patients who visit the practice of Drs. James Medlock and Elizabeth Keith in the Palm Beach Gardens area are interested in addressing imperfections of their smile with cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dental care that focuses on the improvement of the aesthetics of the teeth and gums. While general dentistry does this as well, cosmetic dentistry procedures are often elective and not required—though desired for enhancement. Some common cosmetic procedures may include dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and professional-grade teeth whitening.

Drs. James Medlock and Elizabeth Keith are a team that works together in providing area patients with the solutions they need to make a positive impact on the appearance of their smile. Many patients want to be guided through the process and want assistance understanding what happens before, during, and after their cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Before

Before patients can undergo cosmetic dentistry, they need to ensure they are appropriate candidates for the procedures. This means having an oral examination and x-rays to check for appropriate mouth structure for treatments such as dental implants, and checking for restorations currently in the smile to see if a patient can have teeth whitening treatments done to their smile. There are often times when patients may need preparation before certain procedures. For example, before porcelain veneers can be placed, a portion of the enamel must be removed and impressions are made for the fabrication of these new restorations.

During

Patients can have their cosmetic procedures done all at once or over time. Working with our dental team to develop a treatment plan is the start of the process. Patients can have their dental work done immediately for faster results, or have procedures spaced out weeks or months apart for more gradual improvement. This is often dependant on financing options and how much patients have available to complete their treatments.

After

After cosmetic dentistry procedures, patients are advised as to methods of caring for their new restorations to maintain the results. Many patients enjoy better confidence which results in more smiling, laughing, and talking with others whom they may have previously felt self-conscious around due to the appearance of their teeth.