Frequently Asked Dental Questions

The term Cosmetic Dentistry is a little misleading because a number of the procedures used for cosmetic dentistry are not strictly for cosmetic purposes. A fixed bridge, for example, may be used to correct a bite problem rather than repair stained or chipped teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can have both beneficial health and psychological benefits; when you look good, you feel good too.

It’s been medically proven that smiling can improve your health and help fight disease. A great smile is an important part of your health and contributes to your happiness.

Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry that enhances, improves, or changes the cosmetic and aesthetic appearance of your teeth. Most people put a lot of effort into how they look, and rightly so. Like it or not, people place judgments on you based on the way you look.

But how you look is about more than just how you dress!

Every year tens-of-thousands of people undergo cosmetic surgery and spend thousands on cosmetics and make-up to enhance their appearance, but what about their smile?

When you talk with someone, the two areas we naturally focus on are your eyes and teeth. People will form opinions of you based on your appearance.

Visible cavities, unsightly defective teeth and fillings, gum disease, crooked and misshapen teeth are hard to miss. It is true that judgments based on your appearance are superficial; however, a great smile will affect the way people think of you.

If you had a magic wand, what cosmetic changes would you make to your appearance?

If you have any questions about improving your appearance with cosmetic dentistry, contact us today or book a dentist appointment online.

Here is a partial list of cosmetic dental procedures that can improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile:

• Replacing discoloured fillings in front teeth
• Whiten teeth to a lighter/white colour
• Straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign Orthodontics
• Recontouring of your teeth
• Closing spaces between teeth
• Resin or porcelain veneers to change the shape and alignment of teeth
• Using tooth-coloured fillings on back teeth instead of silver fillings
• Resin or porcelain inlays for back teeth
• Periodontal cosmetic surgery to even-out crooked gum tissue
• Restoration of worn and short teeth to their proper shape
• Replacing missing teeth with bridges or implants
• Replacing defective or unsightly old crowns
• Filling in tooth-brush abrasion notches
• Remove stained fracture lines from enamel
• Restore chipped teeth
• Making teeth shorter or longer

Yes there are different types of cosmetic dentistry, which can transform disfigured or stained teeth into a brand new smile.

If a tooth has unsightly stains, it can be whitened at home or by Zoom whitening. Home teeth whitening is done in the comfort of your own home, and with tools that are provided by the Vancouver Centre For Cosmetic Dentistry.

Zoom whitening is done in our offices in several visits using a special lamp (as featured in Extreme Makeover). The teeth whitening results are remarkable and will not undermine healthy tooth structure.

Bonding is a rather conservative form of restoration, and can allow our team of Cosmetic Dentists to correct a wide range of problems from shape to colour, simply and effectively.

Bonding is a one-step process, which can last several years. However, bonding is more susceptible to staining and chipping than other forms of restoration.

Porcelain veneers or facings are a cosmetic dentistry procedure. They require more than one visit, as porcelain veneers are fabricated in a laboratory.

A laminate, just like a cap (or crown) is not reversible, since part of the enamel is removed during the bonding procedure in order to attach the porcelain veneer. Porcelain veneers have a much longer life expectancy and colour stability than bonding.

Caps or crowns are used in cases where none of the other procedures will be effective or if the tooth structure has been seriously undermined. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all the possible cosmetic dentistry restorations. The Cosmetic Dentistry team at Dr. Lowe’s Practice can recommend the best type of cosmetic dentistry restoration for your particular needs.

In our continued commitment to provide excellent service and the highest quality of cosmetic, implant, and family dentistry, we are pleased to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Debit Cards.

Yes, for treatments over an investment of $1,500, the Vancouver Centre for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is pleased to offer a financing option with Patient Link.

Our helpful Dental Admin team would be happy to offer you more information and credit applications.

No, we are able to offer the courtesy service of processing your dental insurance benefits on your behalf electronically. This otherwise time-consuming task will no doubt speed up and ensure a refund from your dental insurance.

Our Dental Care Clinic is geared up to make your Cosmetic, Implant, or Family Dentistry visit more enjoyable.

For your comfort, we offer the following amenities:

• Complimentary beverages
• Overhead LCD TV’s for every operatory
• Web-based financing options
• Chair-side internet access
• Pillows and blankets
• Digital photography of your makeover
• Computer imaging – a digital preview of your new smile
• Intra-oral Cameras – take a visual tour of your mouth with a camera the size of a felt-pen

Many of our clients travel a long way to benefit from the reputation Dr. Lowe enjoys internationally. If you are one of them, we’re happy to offer a local Concierge service to make your cosmetic dentistry trip to beautiful Vancouver even more enjoyable:

We recommend the following hotels which are very close to our Dental Care Clinic:

• Sandman Suites
• Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
• The Sutton Place
• Marriot Residence Inn

Wondering about places to eat and things to see? Our Dental Admin staff will be happy to offer a wide variety of beautiful sites and fine dining to experience in Vancouver.