Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Restorations in Nashville, TN

Crowns and bridges are two of the most common restorative dental treatments. A crown or bridge can restore both the function and appearance of your teeth. At Dental Design Studios, we provide crowns and bridges of the highest quality to all patients.

Your smile creates lasting impressions in both personal and professional settings. At Dental Design Studios LLC, Dr. Andrew Kim and our dedicated team specialize in transforming smiles through personalized cosmetic dentistry solutions. We take the time to understand your specific concerns and aesthetic goals, combining technical precision with artistic sensibility to enhance your natural smile features. With our comprehensive approach to cosmetic dental care, we help patients achieve the confident, radiant smiles they desire while ensuring optimal oral health and function.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is often ideal for a damaged tooth or a tooth suffering from extensive decay. The crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, providing protection and reinforcement. Crowns are also commonly applied to teeth that have undergone root canals.

Modern materials allow us to craft crowns that are both long-lasting and attractive. Whether you need a replacement crown or a new crown, we have you covered at Dental Design Studios.

Dental Bridges

If you have a few missing teeth but not enough to require dentures, a bridge may be an excellent choice. A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that anchors to your remaining teeth. The bridge contains prosthetic teeth – called a pontic – that appear natural and allow you to chew and speak normally.

Here at Dental Design Studios, we have the latest technology including intraoral scanners, design software, 3D printers and dental mills. We have in house dental laboratory.

For further information about our crown and bridge options or to make your appointment, please give us a call at 615-432-2388 now.

About Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses a range of dental procedures specifically designed to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Unlike general dentistry that focuses primarily on oral health and function, cosmetic dental procedures aim to enhance aesthetic aspects such as tooth color, position, shape, size, and overall smile appearance. These treatments can address stains, chips, gaps, misalignments, and other cosmetic concerns that may affect your confidence and willingness to share your smile.

Modern cosmetic dentistry offers solutions that are more comfortable, natural-looking, and long-lasting than ever before. Whether you’re looking for subtle improvements or a complete smile makeover, our cosmetic dental services are tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry does more than change how your smile looks. The sections below cover five areas where treatment can deliver visible results, address long-standing concerns, and provide structural protection that supports your oral health over time.

Quick Visible Results

Most cosmetic procedures deliver visible improvement quickly, in some cases within a single appointment. At Dental Design Studios LLC, options like composite bonding and teeth whitening are designed to address concerns you can see today, not problems you are trying to prevent down the line. Dr. Kim reviews your goals and options at consultation before any work begins.

Most Patients Are Dissatisfied With Their Dental Appearance and Have Not Acted on It

Research published in BMC Oral Health found that more than half of dental patients surveyed were unhappy with their general dental appearance, yet most had not pursued treatment. The gap between concern and action often comes down to not knowing what options exist or how quickly results can be achieved.

“Of these patients, 124 (52.8%) were not satisfied with their general dental appearance”

Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction With Dental Appearance and Treatments They Desire to Improve Aesthetics, BMC Oral Health, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2011

Age-Appropriate Appearance Restoration

Age-related dental changes, including worn edges, discoloration, and shifting teeth, are common and treatable. At Dental Design Studios LLC, options like porcelain veneers and composite bonding can restore the appearance of worn teeth while preserving what looks natural about your smile. These treatments work with your existing tooth structure rather than replacing it.

Severe Tooth Wear Becomes Significantly More Prevalent as Patients Age

A systematic review published in the Journal of Dentistry found that tooth wear is not an isolated occurrence but a condition that progresses measurably with age. Understanding this pattern helps patients recognize that wear treated now is less complex than wear addressed later.

“The predicted percentage of adults presenting with severe tooth wear increases from 3% at the age of 20 years to 17% at the age of 70 years”

Prevalence of Tooth Wear in Adults, Journal of Dentistry, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2009

Correction of Developmental Defects

Cosmetic procedures can address developmental concerns like enamel hypoplasia, tooth size differences, or unusual spacing patterns that patients have lived with since childhood. At Dental Design Studios LLC, these concerns are treated the same way as any other cosmetic goal, with an assessment of your tooth structure and a plan built around what will work for you. Correcting these conditions can also reduce the ongoing health risk they present.

Enamel Defects Leave Teeth More Vulnerable to Decay Throughout Life

Developmental enamel defects are not only a cosmetic concern. Research published in PubMed and indexed by the National Institutes of Health identifies a clear clinical consequence of leaving them unaddressed, particularly in terms of long-term tooth health.

“Clinical significance of enamel hypoplasia includes poor esthetics, tooth sensitivity, malocclusion and predisposition to dental caries”

Enamel Hypoplasia in the Primary Dentition: A Review, indexed by the National Institutes of Health

Improved Speech Clarity

Cosmetic dental procedures that address tooth position, alignment, and appearance can affect more than how a smile looks. Research confirms that dental aesthetics play a role in how others form first impressions, affecting social interactions and professional settings. At Dental Design Studios LLC, Dr. Kim uses digital smile design technology to preview results before treatment begins, so you know what to expect.

Teeth Restoration Has A Direct Effect On Speech Articulation

A peer-reviewed review published in Medicine and indexed by the National Institutes of Health documents the relationship between dental restoration and speech function. The findings confirm that cosmetic and restorative work on the front teeth has measurable effects on how clearly patients articulate speech sounds.

“The rehabilitation of the maxillary anterior teeth, in particular, plays a vital role in optimal speech intelligibility and articulation; their improvement results in a considerable increase in articulation capacity”

A Contemporary Review of Clinical Factors Involved in Speech: Perspectives from a Prosthodontist Point of View, Medicine, PubMed Central, National Institutes of Health, 2023

Protection From Future Damage

Many cosmetic treatments do more than improve appearance. Bonding and veneers can reinforce teeth that have been weakened by chips, wear, or exposed dentin, shielding vulnerable surfaces from further damage. At Dental Design Studios LLC, these procedures are applied using conservative techniques that preserve the existing tooth structure underneath.

Ceramic Veneers Bonded to Enamel Show a 99% Survival Rate

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in a peer-reviewed journal found that when veneers are bonded to enamel, outcomes are highly favorable over time. The research confirms that the protective and cosmetic benefits of veneers are durable when treatment is planned and executed correctly.

“Enamel-bonded veneers had almost perfect rates of survival (99% with a range of 98% to 100%) and success (99% with a range of 98% to 100%)”

Clinical Survival and Complication Rate of Ceramic Veneers Bonded to Different Substrates: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2024

Risks of Delaying Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment

Minor cosmetic concerns rarely stay minor. The sections below outline what is at stake financially, for your health, and for your safety when treatment is postponed.

Financial Risk of a Cosmetic Concern Becoming A Structural One

A chip or surface crack that a bonding appointment could resolve today may develop into decay if left alone, turning a simple cosmetic fix into an expensive filling, crown, or root canal. The longer minor concerns go unaddressed, the more likely they are to require more involved, costly treatment. Cosmetic treatment at Dental Design Studios LLC is conservative by design, with Dr. Kim preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.

Health Risk of Wear and Decay

Worn enamel does not repair itself. As tooth surfaces thin, teeth become more sensitive, more prone to fracture, and more vulnerable to decay reaching the inner layers. Addressing wear while the tooth still has adequate structure is far less involved than addressing it after the damage has compounded.

Safety Risk Of An Unprotected, Weakened Tooth

A chip or area of exposed dentin is not a stable condition. Without protection, the weakened surface continues to wear, and bacteria can reach the inner layers of the tooth, turning a treatable cosmetic issue into a structural emergency. Bonding and veneers at Dental Design Studios LLC address both the appearance and the vulnerability at the same time.

Why Choose Us for Cosmetic Dentistry

At Dental Design Studios LLC, we combine technical expertise with an artistic eye to create smiles that look natural and complement your unique features. Dr. Andrew Kim has completed advanced training in cosmetic dental procedures and stays current with the latest techniques and materials. Our office utilizes digital smile design technology to visualize potential results before treatment begins, allowing you to preview and refine your new smile. We believe in a conservative approach that preserves your natural tooth structure while achieving beautiful, long-lasting results.

Our team takes pride in creating a comfortable, judgment-free environment where you can openly discuss your smile concerns and goals. We listen carefully to understand what matters most to you about your smile.

Take Your First Step to a Stunning Smile With Us!

You deserve a smile that makes you feel confident and reflects your best self. Dr. Andrew Kim and the team at Dental Design Studios LLC are ready to help you achieve the smile transformation you’ve been wanting. Connect with us on Facebook to see examples of our cosmetic dentistry successes, or call our office today at 615-432-2388 to schedule your cosmetic consultation. Your perfect smile is just a phone call away.

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Close-up view of worn, discolored, and misaligned teeth prior to comprehensive cosmetic dental treatment focused on restoring function and aesthetics

Final result showing a healthy, bright, and evenly aligned smile following advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures

FAQs

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving dental aesthetics through procedures that enhance tooth appearance, alignment, and overall smile harmony. These treatments range from simple teeth whitening to comprehensive smile makeovers using veneers, bonding, or tooth-colored restorations. While aesthetics drive these procedures, many also provide functional benefits by strengthening teeth and improving bite alignment.

How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?

Cosmetic dental costs vary widely based on treatment complexity, materials used, and regional pricing differences. Simple whitening typically costs $300-$600, while bonding ranges from $300-$600 per tooth. More complex procedures like veneers ($1,000-$2,500 per tooth) or full smile makeovers represent larger investments reflecting their transformative results.

Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Dental insurance typically provides limited coverage for purely aesthetic procedures, considering them elective rather than medically necessary. However, some cosmetic treatments that also restore function may receive partial coverage under “restorative” classifications. Many cosmetic dentists offer financing options or membership plans to help make these services more accessible.

Are braces considered cosmetic dentistry?

Braces occupy a unique middle ground between cosmetic and functional dentistry. While they dramatically improve smile aesthetics, they also correct bite issues that can cause jaw pain, uneven wear, and cleaning difficulties. This dual benefit often results in partial insurance coverage, particularly for cases with documented functional problems or for younger patients.

Can cosmetic dentistry fix an overbite?

Mild to moderate overbites can be addressed through various cosmetic approaches. Minor cases might benefit from veneers or bonding to visually rebalance tooth proportions without moving teeth. More significant overbites typically require orthodontic treatment for proper correction. Your dentist can determine which approach would deliver optimal functional and aesthetic results.