When you’re proud of your smile, it can change the way you speak, laugh, and interact with others, personally and professionally. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Covington, Cornerstone Dentistry offers personalized cosmetic treatments designed to help your smile look like its healthiest, most natural self. Whether you want whiter teeth, a more balanced smile, or stronger, more attractive restorations, cosmetic dentistry is designed to help make it all possible.
As Dr. Keleigh Lascari, DDS, shares, “Sure, cosmetic dentistry is about aesthetics, but it goes deeper than that. When we restore a smile, we consider comfort, function, and long-term health because those are what truly build confidence.” This balanced approach is at the heart of each treatment we recommend.
Why More Covington Patients Are Choosing Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry has grown in popularity around St. Tammany Parish because people want solutions that not only look great but also protect their oral health. A natural-looking dental restoration or whitening plan can improve your confidence while also helping you chew more comfortably, speak more clearly, and protect your teeth from undue wear.
Today’s cosmetic treatments blend beauty and structure with materials that mimic enamel, and techniques designed to preserve healthy tissue. Patients appreciate that cosmetic dentistry does more than brighten a smile. It can also support overall oral wellness.
Confidence, First Impressions, and Oral Health
Your smile is often the first thing people notice, from the Covington Trailhead Market to meeting clients downtown. When you feel proud of your teeth, social interactions tend to feel easier. Healthy-looking enamel, balanced tooth shape, and natural brightness all contribute to the way others perceive your smile and how comfortable you feel sharing it. At the same time, many cosmetic treatments may reduce the risk of cracks, uneven wear, stubborn plaque buildup, and other issues that affect oral health.
1. Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and most noticeable ways to refresh your appearance. Unlike store-bought whitening strips, professional whitening uses controlled ingredients that are designed to remove deeper stains while protecting the enamel. Many patients choose whitening before other cosmetic treatments, so their updated restorations can be matched to a brighter shade.
In-Office Whitening vs. Take-Home Trays
Cornerstone Dentistry offers both in-office whitening and custom, take-home whitening kits with professional ingredients. In-office whitening provides faster results that may be ideal before a big event. Take-home whitening kits give you flexibility and let you whiten gradually at home. Some patients begin with in-office treatment and then use our take-home kits to maintain a consistent shade over time.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Patients with healthy enamel and stain-related discoloration typically respond well to whitening. Those with internal discoloration, dental sensitivity, or porcelain restorations may need different cosmetic options. We’ll get together for a consultation where we’ll evaluate your goals and recommend a whitening plan designed to help you achieve them safely and effectively.
2. Dental Bonding for Chips and Gaps
Bonding is a conservative treatment used to improve the shape, size, and appearance of teeth. It is commonly chosen by patients who want to address smaller cosmetic concerns, such as chips, without changing the entire structure of the tooth. Bonding uses tooth-colored composite material applied directly to the enamel and shaped to blend naturally with neighboring teeth.
How Bonding Works
We lightly prepare the surface, apply a durable composite material, sculpt it to achieve a natural contour, and cure it with a specialized light. The result may improve the symmetry and look of the affected tooth. Bonding can typically be completed in one visit and retains more healthy enamel than veneers or crowns.
Common Smile Flaws Bonding Can Fix
Bonding is helpful for patients who have:
- Small chips or worn edges
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Short or uneven teeth
- Spots or discoloration that do not respond to whitening
3. Tooth-Colored Fillings and Smile-Friendly Restorations
Modern restorative dentistry overlaps with cosmetic dentistry by using materials designed to look natural while strengthening the tooth. Tooth-colored fillings and ceramic restorations allow us to protect damaged enamel while maintaining a smile that blends seamlessly.
Replacing Old Metal Fillings
Many patients choose to replace old silver fillings with composite fillings that match their natural tooth shade. Composite materials bond directly to enamel, which may help preserve more of the tooth and support long-term stability.
Matching Restorations to Your Natural Tooth Shade
We take careful shade measurements so that fillings, inlays, or onlays blend with your smile. Ceramic materials can be layered and tinted to mimic the color, translucency, and shine of natural enamel.
4. Crowns and Smile Makeover Restorations
When a tooth is cracked, severely worn, or weakened by decay, a dental crown is designed to restore both strength and appearance. Today’s ceramic crowns mimic natural enamel with lifelike shading and translucency. They may also be used as part of a personalized smile makeover for patients who have multiple concerns.
Strengthening Worn or Broken Teeth
Crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth to create stability and may help prevent further damage. They can also correct shape, color, and bite issues in a single treatment.
Combining Crowns with Other Cosmetic Treatments
Crowns may be used alongside whitening, bonding, or other restorations when designing a full smile transformation. Planning multiple treatments in phases allows us to protect oral health while achieving a cohesive, natural result.
5. BOTOX® for Facial Aesthetics and Jaw Wellness
Beyond teeth, we sometimes address facial muscles and aesthetics using BOTOX®. At our Covington office, Dr. Lascari uses it not only to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but also to support jaw comfort, treat TMJ tension, and soften a “gummy smile.” Botox works by helping to relax specific facial muscles. For patients with jaw pain, bruxism (teeth grinding), or tight chewing muscles, these injections may relieve strain by reducing muscle overactivity. For cosmetic purposes, Botox can smooth dynamic lines, improve facial symmetry, and contribute to a more balanced, natural smile.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox?
Botox may be appropriate for adults in good overall health who want a non-surgical approach to fine lines or are experiencing muscle-related jaw issues. People who suffer from TMJ disorders, chronic grinding, or excess tension in the masseter muscles often find meaningful relief.
What to Expect from Treatment
At Cornerstone Dentistry, we combine Botox with other dental services when appropriate. Because Dr. Lascari is trained in facial anatomy, she places injections strategically in areas of need. Results typically begin to appear within 5 to 10 days, and the full effect settles in by around two weeks. Most patients see benefits that last between four and six months. Treatment is minimally invasive and can often be scheduled during the same visit as other cosmetic or restorative work.
How to Choose the Best Cosmetic Treatment for Your Smile
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cosmetic dentistry. That’s why we begin with a conversation to learn what you hope to change and how you want your smile to look and feel.
Considering Your Goals, Timeline, and Budget
Some treatments can be completed in one visit, while others may require a phased approach. We’ll explain the pros and cons of each option and offer financial solutions that make treatment more accessible.
Why a Cosmetic Consultation in Covington Matters
A detailed consultation allows us to examine your enamel, gums, bite, and previous dental work. We can then recommend treatment options that support long-term health and natural beauty. You can explore services like professional whitening, Botox, and crowns and bridges by visiting us online and scheduling a smile consultation.
Ready for a Smile Makeover in Covington?
The path to a confident smile begins with a conversation that instills trust. Only then do advanced diagnostics and treatment planning follow. At your first cosmetic visit, you can expect a relaxed discussion, photos and imaging, and options designed around your comfort and goals. If you are ready to explore what cosmetic dentistry can do for your smile, we would love to welcome you to our Covington office. Please call or contact us here.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Your results may vary.
