Debunking the Top 7 Myths Around Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Have you heard a few "facts" about cosmetic dental procedures that seem untrue? Here, our Saskatoon dentists set the record straight about some common misconceptions about cosmetic dentistry.

Common Myths About Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Despite how valuable some cosmetic dental procedures can be to patients, common myths abound. Here, our dentists clear a few of them up.

1. Cosmetic dental procedures are purely cosmetic.

While we may use the term 'cosmetic' to describe these procedures, in many ways they can absolutely contribute to helping improve or restore your oral health.

While dental bonding can be used to help improve the appearance of discoloured or chipped teeth, it can also be used to protect exposed tooth roots because of receding gums. Covering these roots is a critical step in restoring damaged or receded gum tissues, helping patients find relief for tooth or gum sensitivity that often accompanies gum disease.

Dental implant surgery can help restore the appearance of your smile by filling the gaps left by missing teeth, but it also serve a very real functional purpose: implants help prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting out of position into the gap, which in turn helps prevent other oral health problems.

2. Cosmetic dental services are expensive.

Thanks to advances in dental technology, cosmetic dental services have become less costly than they have been in the past. Cosmetic dental services that are determined to be necessary by your insurance company, like implants or crowns, may even be covered.

At Sutherland Dental Group, we aim to offer flexible payment options to help you conveniently pay for your procedures.

3. Teeth whitening damages teeth.

When done correctly and under the supervision of your dentist, teeth whitening is considered safe and poses a very minimal risk of damaging your teeth. Before a dentist administers teeth whitening, they will evaluate your oral health to determine whether or not it can be safely performed on your smile.

4. Cosmetic dental procedures take a long time.

With today’s cosmetic dental technology, we can offer services to fit your schedule and budget. Many cosmetic dental procedures take just an hour or two and one appointment to improve the appearance of your teeth.

5. Cosmetic dental procedures are unnecessary.

Many different cosmetic procedures, from bonding to veneers, can actually be used to help fix long-standing oral health issues. What is "necessary" for you depends on your dental health, but also on the possible difference a cosmetic procedure will make to your confidence in your smile and quality of life.

6. Cosmetic dental procedures are painful.

Our dentists strive to make every appointment as comfortable as possible. Many cosmetic procedures are minimally invasive and involve very little pain for the patient. Though your mouth may feel sensitive for a short time following some procedures, this should fade quickly.

7. Your results won’t appear natural-looking.

At Sutherland Dental Group, dental technology and processes help us to achieve natural-looking results with cosmetic dental procedures for your smile. When looking into teeth whitening, veneers or other procedures, our dentists will be happy to explain how we can help to reach your smile goals.