Smile Makeover
Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dental care dedicated to enhancing the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. At Big Smile Dental, an experienced cosmetic dentist in Chicago, IL, we focus on improving the color, position, shape, size, alignment, and overall appearance of your teeth. While not always essential to oral health, cosmetic dentistry treatments can create a meaningful transformation in your smile, helping restore confidence and leaving you feeling your best.
At Big Smile Dental, a trusted dentist in Chicago, IL, we bring you the latest in state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry services, providing the tools to whiten, straighten, and bridge the gaps in your natural teeth. Our team of experienced dental professionals is dedicated to understanding your dental goals, addressing your unique needs, and tailoring a customized plan to unveil your brilliant smile. In our dental practice, many dental treatments are designed to help you achieve your dream smile.
Our cosmetic dentistry services include:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening is a popular and effective cosmetic dental procedure that can significantly enhance the appearance of your smile. Over time, teeth can become stained and discolored due to various factors such as consuming coffee, tea, red wine, or natural aging. Our Teeth Whitening services are designed to reverse these effects, leaving you with a brighter, youthful smile.
At Big Smile Dental, we offer ZOOM! Teeth Whitening. A state-of-the-art teeth whitening system that delivers remarkable results in a short amount of time. Our skilled dental professionals will customize the treatment to suit your needs, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience.
With ZOOM! Teeth Whitening, you can expect:
- Noticeable Results: ZOOM! is known for whitening teeth by several shades in just one visit.
- Speed and Convenience: The entire procedure typically takes around an hour, making it a convenient option for those with busy schedules.
- Long-Lasting Effects: With proper care and maintenance, the results of ZOOM! Teeth Whitening can last for months, allowing you to enjoy your rejuvenated smile for an extended period.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding at Big Smile Dental is a versatile and non-invasive cosmetic procedure for correcting various dental imperfections. This treatment involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the affected teeth, which is then hardened with a special light. Dental bonding is ideal for fixing chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, as well as for closing gaps and making teeth appear longer. The process is relatively quick, usually completed in one visit, and can significantly improve the appearance of your smile. Our dental professionals skillfully match the bonding material to your natural tooth color, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result. Dental bonding can last several years with proper care, making it a cost-effective solution for enhancing your smile.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offered at Big Smile Dental are popular for achieving a complete smile makeover. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth, instantly transforming their appearance. They are ideal for correcting a range of cosmetic issues, including teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned, or uneven. The process involves removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth’s surface and bonding the veneer, resulting in a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Porcelain veneers are highly durable, stain-resistant, and can last many years with proper care. Our expert dental team works closely with each patient to design veneers that complement their facial features and desired aesthetic, ensuring a beautiful and lasting transformation.
Orthodontics/Braces
Orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces, are a cornerstone of cosmetic dentistry at our office. Braces correct misaligned teeth and jaws, resulting in a more functional and aesthetically pleasing smile. Traditional braces involve brackets and wires that apply gentle pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. Our orthodontic treatments are personalized for each patient, considering their specific dental needs and aesthetic goals. The duration of treatment varies, but the result is a straighter, healthier smile that enhances facial aesthetics and boosts confidence.
Invisalign Braces
Invisalign braces offer a modern, discreet, and comfortable solution for straightening your teeth, marking a significant departure from traditional metal braces. This innovative orthodontic treatment uses clear, custom-made aligners that gently and gradually shift your teeth into their proper position. Unlike the conspicuous metal wires and brackets of traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, allowing you to undergo orthodontic treatment without drawing attention to your mouth.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Gone are the days of noticeable metal fillings. At Big Smile Dental, we use tooth-colored fillings to restore teeth affected by decay or damage seamlessly. These fillings are made from composite resin, which can be closely matched to the natural color of your teeth, ensuring a natural, undetectable finish. Tooth-colored fillings are an aesthetic choice and a healthier one, as they bond directly to the tooth, providing more support and reducing the risk of future breakage. They are durable, resistant to fracture, and perfect for front and back teeth, making them an excellent choice for patients seeking a more natural-looking dental restoration.
Dental Implants
Dental implants represent the gold standard in modern tooth replacement. Big Smile Dental offers dental implants as a durable, long-lasting solution for missing teeth. Implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes, and bone bonds with the titanium, creating a solid foundation for artificial teeth. Dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration from missing teeth. They are an ideal option for those who have lost teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, or other reasons and are looking for a permanent solution that improves the aesthetics of their smile and enhances oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmetic Dentistry
Are veneers or bonding better for fixing a chipped front tooth
For a small chip, bonding is often the better first option, it’s minimally invasive, completed in one visit, and preserves your natural tooth. Veneers suit larger chips, worn edges, or a fuller smile change, but they require removing a thin enamel layer and are a more permanent commitment. A dentist’s exam determines the best fit.
Does professional teeth whitening make your teeth sensitive?
Temporary sensitivity is common after professional whitening and usually fades within a day or two. The bleaching gel can briefly open the tooth’s pores, causing mild zings to cold or air. Using desensitizing toothpaste beforehand, avoiding very hot or cold foods afterward, and spacing out treatments all help minimize it.
Can I get veneers if my teeth are crooked, or do I need braces first?
It depends on how crooked. Veneers can mask mild misalignment by reshaping the front surface, but significant crowding or bite problems usually need orthodontics first, otherwise the veneers may look bulky or wear unevenly. Many patients do a short Invisalign phase, then veneers for final color and shape. An exam clarifies which order suits you.
Is Invisalign or traditional braces better for a busy adult?
For most busy adults with mild to moderate alignment issues, Invisalign is appealing, the aligners are removable for meetings, meals, and photos, and nearly invisible. The trade-off is discipline: they must be worn 20–22 hours daily. Traditional braces handle complex cases and severe crowding more predictably, since they can’t be taken out or forgotten.
Will teeth whitening work on my crowns, fillings, or veneers?
No, whitening gel only lightens natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, bonding, and tooth-colored fillings won’t change shade, so after whitening your natural teeth they may no longer match existing dental work. If restorations are on visible front teeth, many people whiten first, then replace or update that work to match the new brighter shade.
Is teeth whitening safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Most dentists recommend postponing elective whitening during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s not proven harmful, but the peroxide gels haven’t been well studied in these groups, so the cautious approach is to wait. Meanwhile, regular cleanings and good brushing keep teeth healthy. Always check with your dentist and OB before starting any treatment.
Can I eat and drink normally right after teeth whitening?
For the first 48 hours, teeth are more porous and prone to re-staining, so a “white diet” helps. Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, tomato sauce, and other deeply colored foods. Stick to water, milk, chicken, rice, and pasta. Also skip very hot or cold items if your teeth feel temporarily sensitive.
Can I get dental implants if I've had gum disease or bone loss?
Often yes, but gum disease must be treated and stabilized first, since implants need healthy gums and adequate bone to anchor securely. If bone has been lost, a bone graft or sinus lift can rebuild enough support before placement. A dentist evaluates your gum health and bone density with an exam and 3D scan to confirm eligibility.
If you’re interested in more information about dental veneers or other dental restorative options, call Big Smile Dental today! Our team is happy to schedule a consultation at a time that works with your schedule.
Your new smile is waiting for you!
