Cosmetic dentistry in Elmira, NY
Cosmetic dentistry at Chemung Family Dental
Whiter, straighter, more even teeth without looking overdone. Dr. Dunn takes a conservative approach, so your smile still looks like you, just refreshed. And with a Trial Smile Preview, you can see the result before anything permanent happens.
- See it first with a Trial Smile Preview
- Veneers, bonding, whitening, and Invisalign
- Cherry and CareCredit financing
- ★★★★★4.9 from 440+ Google reviews
- Dr. Richard Dunn, DDS, FACD
Our approach
Subtle changes, natural results
The best cosmetic dentistry is often the kind nobody notices. People see your confidence before they see the dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry improves the color, shape, and alignment of your teeth while protecting their health. Every plan starts with a conversation about what bothers you and what you would like to change, followed by an exam to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for the work.
Because Dr. Dunn handles your general and restorative care too, cosmetic work is planned around the whole mouth, not just the front teeth. Most improvements use the most conservative treatment that will reach your goal.
Cosmetic treatments
Ways to refresh your smile
Most patients combine one or two of these. We will help you choose.
Trial Smile Preview
Try your new smile in your own mouth before any tooth is changed.
Veneers
Thin custom shells for color, shape, and symmetry.
Bonding
Repair chips, gaps, and uneven edges with tooth-colored material.
Teeth whitening
Professional gel in trays made for your teeth.
Invisalign
Straighten teeth with removable trays, no brackets.
Ceramic crowns
Restore a damaged tooth so it blends in.
Cosmetic options
Your options, explained
Plain-language answers about what each treatment does, so you can come in with good questions.
Trial Smile Preview
Cosmetic dentistry has always had one built-in problem: you commit before you can see the result. A Trial Smile solves that.
We place a temporary, tooth-colored version of your proposed smile over your existing teeth, with no drilling and no permanent change. You see it in your own face, in real light, and decide whether to move forward. When you are done, it comes off cleanly.
- Reversible: your natural teeth are left as they were
- Lets you check shape, length, and color before committing
- Useful before veneers or larger cosmetic plans
Porcelain veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They can change color, shape, length, and symmetry, and porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel.
Each veneer is designed to suit your face and your natural smile, not a template.
- Covers deep stains that whitening will not lift
- Evens out worn, chipped, or uneven teeth
- Closes small gaps and improves symmetry
Tooth-colored bonding
Bonding uses composite resin that is sculpted directly onto the tooth and blended to match your enamel. In many cases it is finished in a single visit.
It is one of the most conservative cosmetic treatments because it needs very little change to the natural tooth.
- Repairs small chips and uneven edges
- Closes minor gaps
- Corrects slight shape irregularities
Invisalign clear aligners
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable trays to move teeth gradually, without metal brackets or wires. Dr. Dunn provides aligners for adults and teens.
Aligners come out for meals and brushing, and they are hard to notice in conversation.
- Straightens crowded or shifted teeth
- Removable for eating and cleaning
- A good option if braces as a kid relapsed
What to expect
The Chemung cosmetic process
Consultation
Tell us what you want to change. We examine your teeth and gums and check that the foundation is healthy. Start with an exam.
Your options
Dr. Dunn explains what will reach your goal, from the most conservative choice up, with an estimate for each.
Preview
For larger changes, a Trial Smile Preview lets you see the result before committing.
Treatment and care
We complete the plan at your pace, then help you keep the result with regular cleanings.
Insurance and payment
Clear answers about cost
We want getting care to be easy. Call us with your plan details and our team will check your benefits and explain what is covered before treatment starts.
Insurance, handled
We file your claims. Most dental PPO plans still pay toward care here as out-of-network benefits.
How insurance worksPay over time
Cash, check, and major cards, plus monthly plans through Cherry and CareCredit.
Payment optionsAsk us first
Not sure what your plan covers? Call us and a real person will check for you.
Call (607) 734-2045Why it matters
More than looks
How you feel about your smile changes how often you show it. Many patients tell us they stopped smiling in photos years before they finally came in.
Cosmetic treatment can also protect teeth. Bonding seals a chipped edge, veneers cover worn enamel, and straighter teeth are easier to clean.
- Conservative first. We recommend the least invasive option that will reach your goal.
- No pressure. You decide what to do and when.
- One office. Cosmetic, general, and restorative care planned together.
Questions
Cosmetic dentistry questions
Here is what patients ask Dr. Dunn most often about improving their smile.
What does a cosmetic dentist do?
A cosmetic dentist improves how your smile looks with treatments such as professional whitening, tooth-colored bonding, porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, and clear aligners. At Chemung Family Dental, Dr. Dunn plans cosmetic work alongside your general care, so the result is healthy as well as attractive.
Will my smile look fake?
It should not. Our approach is conservative: we aim for a smile that still looks like you, just refreshed. A Trial Smile Preview lets you see and feel the proposed result before any permanent work is done.
What is a Trial Smile Preview?
A temporary, removable version of your proposed smile made from tooth-colored material placed over your existing teeth without drilling. You can see it in your own face, live with it briefly, and decide. It comes off cleanly, leaving your natural teeth as they were.
Which is better, bonding or veneers?
Bonding is quick and conservative, and it is good for small chips, gaps, and uneven edges. Porcelain veneers are custom shells that change color, shape, and symmetry more dramatically and resist staining. We will show you which fits your goals and budget.
How does whitening work here?
We start by finding out what is causing the discoloration, because not every stain responds to bleaching. Then we make custom trays from impressions of your teeth and give you professional gel with clear instructions. Trays are reusable, so touch-ups are simple.
Does whitening work on crowns or veneers?
No. Whitening only changes natural enamel. If you plan to whiten and also have visible crowns or fillings, we usually whiten first and then match any new restorations to your brighter shade.
Do you offer Invisalign?
Yes. Dr. Dunn provides Invisalign clear aligners for adults and teens. Aligners are removable trays that gradually straighten teeth without metal brackets.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?
Purely cosmetic treatment usually is not. Some treatments that also restore function, such as a crown on a cracked tooth, may be partly covered. We will check your benefits and explain the difference before you decide.
Can I pay over time?
Yes. We offer monthly payment plans through Cherry and CareCredit. See payment and financing.
Will I know the cost before treatment starts?
Yes. You receive an estimate before any treatment begins, and nothing is scheduled without your agreement.
Patient stories
Why people love Chemung Family Dental
I was self conscious about my teeth, but I was very comfortable asking questions. They offered options for my treatment and it was my decision. No pushy sales pitches for more expensive treatments.
I can’t say enough good things about this place. EVERYONE is compassionate and caring. Ann is so kind and helpful at the front desk.
Everyone is so friendly…and understanding! I have never been a fan of going to the dentist but they all make it so comfortable!
I am a new patient at Chemung Family Dental but I feel like I have been going there for years. They make you feel very welcome.
The hygienist Rita is most patient centered, very professional and expertly skilled. She immediately sets the patient at ease… The office staff made me feel like I was a long term patient, despite the fact that this is my first visit to this practice.
Keep exploring
Related care
A smile that still looks like you
Book a cosmetic consultation online or call us. We will listen first.