Dr. Christopher Banks is a cosmetic dentist who serves patients in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, DC. Even after completing his Doctorate in Dental Surgery, he has continued learning about the latest technologies and treatments to help patients improve their smiles. His cosmetic dentistry services at his Washington, DC, dental office enhance the smile’s aesthetics and can also improve oral health. Cosmetic care is part of our comprehensive dental services.
But cosmetic dental treatment isn’t just about the look of your smile. Many patients who get cosmetic dental care are more motivated to maintain their new smiles with an excellent oral hygiene routine. Dr. Banks looks forward to helping patients make over their smiles and improve their self-confidence.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Washington, DC
Dr. Banks is committed to lifelong learning. He is an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics. He keeps up with the latest advances in technology and research to help his patients achieve beautiful, natural-looking smiles.
In 2013, he was selected as Chair of the AACD’s Board of Trustees. Today, Dr. Banks continues to provide the latest cosmetic dental treatments to DC-area patients at Dupont Dental.
Invisalign
Clear Invisalign aligners can straighten misaligned and crooked teeth without brackets and wires. Invisalign is a discreet alternative to metal braces that benefits patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems.
Invisalign works by using a series of custom-made clear aligners that fit over your teeth. Each set of aligners is designed to gently shift your teeth into the desired position over time. You wear each set of aligners for about one to two weeks before moving on to the next set in the series. This gradual movement allows your teeth to adjust comfortably and effectively.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are shell-like treatments that cover the front of the tooth enamel. Veneers cover single teeth or all of the teeth in the smile line to change the shape and shade of the enamel. Patients who do not require Invisalign or teeth whitening treatment but want to improve their smile benefit from veneers.
Teeth Bonding
Teeth bonding treatment uses tooth-colored resin materials to address tooth chips, cracks, gaps, and discoloration. Bonding offers a quick and comfortable treatment for patients who want to improve one or more teeth and create a seamless smile.
Teeth Whitening
Opalescence and Zoom teeth whitening treatments offer convenient in-office and take-home options for patients who want brighter smiles. We customize professional whitening treatment to minimize sensitivity and help patients achieve the best results.
Dental Implants
Dental implants offer a durable and natural-looking solution for missing teeth. They replace the tooth root, providing a stable base for crowns, bridges, or dentures. With tooth implants, you can restore your smile and improve your ability to chew and speak confidently. We also offer sedation to ensure a comfortable and stress-free implant procedure.
What is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover uses multiple cosmetic dental procedures to make over the smile. It completely transforms your smile into the one you dream of. As modern dentistry advances and makes more procedures affordable and accessible to more patients, smile makeovers are attainable to almost anyone.
Dr. Banks offers smile makeovers for patients who require multiple cosmetic treatments to address discolored, crooked, or stained teeth.
Before recommending treatment, Dr. Banks will examine the smile and consider each patient’s cosmetic goals. He will then create a custom treatment plan that includes the order of required treatments. For example, he recommends that patients straighten their smiles before undergoing teeth-whitening treatment.
Your smile greatly impacts your self-esteem, and we want you to be proud to show off your smile every chance you get. Schedule a DC smile consultation with Dr. Banks by calling (202) 946-4720 today.
Patient Review
Why Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?
When patients want cosmetic care, it’s usually because they aren’t happy with how their smiles look. While cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, it comes with many other benefits you may not realize.
Better Self-Esteem
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. The impact of a beautiful smile goes beyond the aesthetic value. When you’re happy with your smile, you have a more positive outlook and are happier overall. Your self-esteem is better, and people can see how confident you are in public.
Even fixing one crooked or stained tooth with simple cosmetic bonding or a natural-looking veneer can make a difference. Dr. Banks welcomes patients who want a quick confidence boost or want to make major cosmetic changes.
Improved Bite Function
Many cosmetic problems are associated with oral health concerns. Crooked teeth are one of the best examples. When patients want Invisalign, it’s usually because they aren’t happy with how their teeth look. However, crooked teeth can cause a variety of health concerns.
Crooked teeth are much more difficult to clean than straight teeth. They come together at odd angles and are often cramped or crowded. In some cases, you can’t even get dental floss or specialized dental tools in between them. If there are areas you can’t clean, they’ll still experience plaque and tartar buildup. Even if you’re doing everything right, you’re still at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease because of these areas.
Clear aligner therapy with Invisalign shifts teeth into a more even position to create a balanced bite. Dr. Banks may recommend Invisalign if you have crooked teeth that impact your bite function.
Lower Risk of Tooth Damage
When your teeth are crooked, you have an uneven bite. When we bring our teeth together, the pressure of our bite usually distributes evenly throughout all of our teeth. If your teeth are uneven, some of them take on more pressure than others. These teeth are more likely to wear down prematurely, crack, or fracture than the rest of your teeth. You can also be at a greater risk of developing TMJ.
Most of the time, you need restorative dental solutions to fix these problems. Getting orthodontic care like Invisalign early can reduce your risk of TMJ, tooth damage, and pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more about how our cosmetic treatments work? Learn more with answers to these common questions about cosmetic dentistry in Washington, DC.
What is the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment?
The most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment is teeth whitening. Many people choose this treatment because it can make a big difference in the appearance of their smiles. Over time, our teeth can become stained from things like coffee, tea, soda, or smoking. Teeth whitening helps to brighten your smile by removing these stains and making your teeth look whiter and healthier.
Do the results of cosmetic dentistry look natural?
Yes, cosmetic dentistry can look very natural. Dr. Banks takes extra care to make sure your smile looks just right for you. He uses high-quality and strong materials like porcelain and ceramic that blend in with your real teeth.
Dr. Banks also pays close attention to your face shape and features. He’ll make sure your new teeth match the size, shape, and color of your other teeth and fit your smile perfectly. He wants your smile to look balanced and in harmony with the rest of your face. Before treatment, Dr. Banks will talk with you about your goals and design a smile that fits your needs.
Am I a candidate for Invisalign?
Dr. Banks recommends Invisalign treatment for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Invisalign can treat overbite, underbite, crossbite, crooked teeth, and gaps between teeth. Our office may recommend traditional braces if you have more severe problems that require extensive care.
Are dental veneers permanent?
While dental veneers are not permanent, they can last for many years with the proper care. You must be committed to veneers because treatment requires tooth preparation. Preparing the teeth removes part of the tooth enamel, meaning you must cover your teeth with veneers or another treatment. Veneers are a great option if you want to permanently cover cosmetic imperfections.
Can a cosmetic dentist fix cavities?
A cosmetic dentist can fix cavities using tooth-colored fillings that blend well with your natural teeth. While the treatment addresses the cavity, the cosmetic focus ensures an aesthetically pleasing result. If you have severe decay, Dr. Banks may recommend crowns.
Does insurance pay for cosmetic dentistry?
Insurance typically doesn’t cover purely cosmetic procedures like veneers or teeth whitening because they’re seen as elective. But treatments like crowns or bonding for damaged teeth may have partial coverage if they’re medically necessary. Check your policy for specific details.
Can cosmetic dentistry fix an overbite?
Cosmetic dentistry can improve the appearance of an overbite but does not correct the bite itself. Veneers or bonding can make teeth appear more aligned, but severe overbites often require orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign. Dr. Banks will recommend the best approach based on your condition.
What is the difference between aesthetic dentistry and cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving your smile. Treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding are used to change the color, shape, or size of your teeth. The main goal is to make your teeth look more attractive.
Aesthetic dentistry also improves your smile, but it focuses more on making your teeth functional and healthy. Restorative treatments like crowns, Invisalign, and veneers fall under aesthetic dentistry.
Get a Smile Makeover
Whether you want to make a small change in your smile or want a complete makeover, Dr. Banks is here to help you reach your goals. Call Dupont Dental for cosmetic dental care and high-quality dentistry today at (202) 946-4720. You can also schedule a dental appointment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Banks online.