Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile — things like color, shape, spacing, and alignment. Unlike purely restorative work (which fixes damage or decay), cosmetic procedures are primarily about giving you a smile you feel great about. At Falko Family Dental, we offer veneers, professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, smile makeovers, and implants that double as cosmetic replacements. Many treatments overlap: a crown placed to fix a broken tooth, for example, also restores your smile's appearance. During your free cosmetic consultation, we'll walk through which options make sense for your specific goals.

Cosmetic dentistry can fix almost any smile flaw — staining, chips, gaps, crookedness, missing teeth, or teeth that are worn down over time. We start with a smile evaluation to understand what bothers you most and what results are realistic for your situation. For some patients, that means a single porcelain veneer to cover a chipped tooth. For others, it's a full smile makeover combining whitening, veneers, and implants. The goal isn't a perfect Hollywood smile unless that's what you want — it's getting you comfortable and confident in your own smile.

Most dental insurance does not cover procedures done purely for cosmetic reasons. Insurance companies typically only pay for treatment that's medically necessary — meaning there's decay, injury, or a functional problem involved. That said, there's more overlap than people realize. A porcelain crown placed to repair a broken tooth may be covered even if it also improves your smile. Veneers placed to correct a structural issue may qualify. We recommend calling our office for a free benefits consultation — our team will review your specific coverage and help you understand exactly what your plan will and won't pay for before you commit to any treatment.

It depends on the severity. Mild overbites — where the overlap between upper and lower teeth is slight — can sometimes be improved with porcelain veneers, which build up the lower teeth and create a more balanced bite appearance. Veneers won't move your teeth, but they can make a noticeable difference in how your bite looks and, in some cases, how it functions. More significant overbites typically require orthodontic treatment (like Invisalign, which we offer) or, in severe cases, surgical correction. The best way to know which path is right for you is to come in for a consultation — we'll assess your bite and recommend the most practical option.

Dental veneers are considered a permanent cosmetic treatment because preparing your teeth for veneers usually requires removing a thin layer of enamel. Once that enamel is removed, it does not grow back, which means your teeth will always need some type of restoration, such as veneers or another covering

While veneers themselves are not lifetime appliances, they are designed to last many years. Porcelain veneers typically last 10–15 years or longer with proper care before needing replacement.

In some cases, a dentist can remove veneers to replace them with new ones. However, you cannot simply remove the veneers and return to your original teeth because the enamel was permanently altered during the procedure.

Veneers do not change your bone structure or drastically alter your face shape. However, they can create subtle improvements in facial appearance by enhancing the size, alignment, and symmetry of your teeth.

For example, well-designed veneers can:

• Support the lips and improve smile fullness

• Balance tooth proportions to complement facial features

• Create a more symmetrical smile line

Because teeth support your lips and lower face, improving their shape and alignment can make your smile look more balanced and youthful. The change is usually natural-looking and subtle rather than dramatic.

Veneers are ultra-thin porcelain or resin shells that bond to the front surface of your teeth. Think of them as a custom cover that changes the color, shape, size, or length of a tooth — or corrects small alignment issues — without removing much of the natural tooth structure. At Falko Family Dental, most veneer cases take two visits. During the first, we prepare your teeth and take impressions; during the second, we bond the finished veneers in place. They're durable, stain-resistant, and designed to look completely natural. We offer free cosmetic consultations if you'd like to see whether veneers are a good fit for your smile goals.

Dental veneers are best suited for patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile rather than treat major dental problems. You may be a good candidate if you have:

• Healthy teeth and gums

• Stained or discoloured teeth that do not respond well to whitening

• Chipped, worn, or uneven teeth

• Small gaps between teeth

• Mild alignment issues or irregular tooth shapes

Your teeth should also be relatively straight and structurally healthy so that veneers can bond properly. Patients with significant bite problems, untreated gum disease, or severe teeth grinding may need other treatments first.

The best way to determine whether veneers are right for you is to consult a cosmetic dentist, who can evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Yes — we offer three levels of sedation depending on how nervous you are and what procedure you're having. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the gentlest option: you inhale it through a small nose mask, feel relaxed within minutes, and can drive yourself home afterward since it leaves your system quickly. For stronger anxiety or longer procedures, we offer IV sedation ('twilight sleep'), which keeps you conscious but deeply relaxed and with little memory of the appointment. We're also one of the few practices in Rock Hill to offer general anesthesia administered by a licensed dental anesthesiologist for patients who need to be fully asleep. Just call us and we'll match you with the right option.

Porcelain veneers typically range from $900 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on the complexity of the case and how many teeth are involved. Most patients getting a full smile transformation (usually 6–8 veneers) invest between $6,000 and $15,000. At Falko Family Dental, we offer 0% interest financing options and accept CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance — so you can spread the cost over time. We also offer a free cosmetic consultation so you can get an accurate estimate before committing to anything.

Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 20 years with proper care. The main factors that shorten their lifespan are grinding or clenching your teeth at night, biting your nails or chewing on hard objects, and skipping regular dental cleanings. We may recommend a custom night guard to protect your veneers if you grind your teeth. With good habits and routine checkups, most of our patients get well over a decade from their veneers before needing replacements.

Veneers are custom-made porcelain shells crafted in a dental lab and permanently bonded to your teeth — they're the more durable, longer-lasting option, typically 10–20 years. Cosmetic bonding uses tooth-colored resin that's applied and shaped directly in the office in a single visit, making it faster and less expensive. Bonding is a great fix for small chips, gaps, or discoloration and can often be done in one appointment. Veneers are the better choice when you're changing multiple teeth or want a result that's more stain-resistant and longer lasting. We can help you decide at your free consultation.