Lincoln Park
939 W North Ave, Suite 890
Chicago, IL 60642
Cosmetic
Cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing your smile's aesthetics. We improve color, shape, alignment, and proportion through tailored treatments like professional whitening, veneers, bonding, and Bioclear.
How we approach cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry here covers whitening, composite work such as Bioclear, porcelain veneers, crowns, and clear aligners. We work in one direction wherever the case allows: reversible before irreversible, and the smallest change that reaches your goal. That order matters because enamel does not grow back, so a treatment that preserves it keeps every later option open to you.
Most cosmetic cases start with a free consultation. We photograph your teeth, scan them when a digital design would help, and talk through what actually bothers you rather than what we would change. You leave with a written cost for each option you are weighing, including the cost of doing nothing, which is genuinely the right call in some cases. Nothing gets scheduled at that visit unless you ask us to schedule it.
Five of our dentists take cosmetic cases: Dr. Arora, Dr. Mody, Dr. Chaudhari, Dr. Pasupuleti, and Dr. Gong. When a case needs gum recontouring first, or an implant underneath the visible work, our board-certified periodontist and our oral surgery dentists are in the same practice rather than across town. Elective cosmetic work is rarely covered by insurance, so we quote it as self-pay and can spread it across monthly payments through CareCredit or Cherry.
Photos say more than descriptions here. Our smile gallery has before-and-after cases from our own patients, treated by our own dentists.
Who it's a good fit for
- You're exploring cosmetic dentistry and want a quiet, no-pressure conversation about your smile
- You want a small, targeted change (one chipped tooth, a single dark tooth), not a full makeover
- You're planning a bigger life event and want to look like yourself, just polished
- You've had cosmetic work elsewhere and want it refreshed or fixed
What to expect
- Free consult: photos, scan, options, and written estimate
- Imaging: photos and digital scans when they change the plan
- Planning: timeline and cost before treatment starts
- Procedure day: treatment delivered with comfort as the priority
- Follow-up: maintenance tips and touch-up scheduling when needed
Common questions
- How long does whitening last?
- Typically 6 to 24 months, depending on diet, smoking, and how often you top up with the take-home trays we send you home with. Our teeth whitening page covers the detail, including which kinds of staining whitening cannot fix.
- Are veneers permanent?
- Veneers are not reversible. A small amount of enamel is removed when they're prepared, but the veneers themselves typically last 10 to 15 years, and up to 20 with good care, before they need to be replaced. We discuss the trade-offs before any prep is done.
- What's the difference between veneers and Bioclear?
- Veneers are thin porcelain shells permanently bonded to the front of the tooth. Bioclear is a modern composite (tooth-colored resin) shaped around the tooth in a single visit. Bioclear is reversible, less expensive, and great for closing small gaps and reshaping; veneers offer more dramatic color and shape changes and last longer.
- Do I need a complete smile makeover?
- Almost never. Most cases involve one or two teeth, or whitening alone. We'll show you what changes have the biggest visual impact for the smallest amount of work.
- Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
- Most purely cosmetic work (whitening, veneers placed for appearance, smile makeovers) is not covered by dental insurance. When a treatment also restores damaged tooth structure, like a veneer placed where a crown would otherwise be needed, partial coverage sometimes applies. We verify benefits before treatment and put what's covered (and what isn't) in writing.
- Is cosmetic dentistry FSA or HSA eligible?
- Treatment that restores function or damage (a veneer over a broken tooth, bonding to repair a chip) is typically FSA/HSA eligible. Purely cosmetic work like elective whitening or aesthetic veneers usually isn't. We'll tell you which category your treatment falls into so you can use your account appropriately.
- How long does a smile makeover take from start to finish?
- Most smile makeovers run 4–8 weeks from consultation to final delivery: free consultation and scan, a 1–2 week design and wax-up phase, a preparation visit, and 2–3 weeks at the lab before your final veneers are placed. Single-tooth cosmetic work can be done in 2–3 weeks.
Book a consultation
Available at both offices. Pick the one that's closer to you.
Schaumburg
501 W Golf Rd, Ste B
Schaumburg, IL 60195
Who provides this care
Cosmetic dentistry at each of our offices
Hours, parking, and the team differ by office. These pages cover the details for each one.