You want to fix a chip, close a gap, or transform your smile entirely with porcelain veneers in Arlington Heights. Then you book a consultation. Now you’re wondering what to expect. Will the dentist just look at your teeth and give you a price, or is there more?
At Dazzling Dentistry, there’s a lot more to it. Dr. Margaret Radziszewski completed the Dawson Academy curriculum, which focuses on functional dentistry, occlusion, and the relationship between teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. She’s among the top 10% of U.S. dentists who possess this training. Dr. Weronika Dabros is Bioclear-certified and brings a complementary skill set to every consultation.
Here’s what a veneer consultation actually looks like at our Arlington Heights and Chicago offices.
The First Question: What Do You Want to Change?
At some practices, the consultation is about what the dentist sees, not what the patient wants. They identify problems and recommend solutions. The patient’s goals are secondary.
At Dazzling Dentistry, we start with you. What bothers you about your smile, what do you want to change, and what do you want to keep?
Some patients want whiter teeth but love their smile’s shape. Others want to fix a chip but don’t want to change anything else. Knowing what you want to preserve is as important as knowing what you want to fix.
The Second Question: What’s the Story Behind Your Smile?
This is where decades of experience show up. A newer dentist might look at a chipped tooth and recommend a veneer. Dr. Radziszewski or Dr. Dabros will ask how the chip happened. Was it a sports injury, a fall, or years of grinding?
The answer changes the recommendation. A chip from trauma might be a simple cosmetic fix. A chip from grinding might need a night guard in addition to the restoration. Otherwise, the same chip will appear again.
The same goes for discoloration. If coffee has yellowed your teeth, whitening will work. If tetracycline or fluorosis caused the discoloration, whitening won’t help. Our dentists know the difference because they’ve seen both.
The Third Question: How Does Your Bite Function?
Most cosmetic consultations skip this question, but it matters most for long-term results. Dr. Radziszewski’s Dawson Academy training focused on the masticatory system, which includes the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. She evaluates how your teeth meet, how your jaw moves, and whether there are any signs of imbalance. Functional dentistry treats the whole system, not just the teeth that need work.
This matters for veneers because a beautiful smile that doesn’t function correctly won’t last. If your bite is off, your new veneers will wear unevenly. The result might look great on day one and fail within a few years.
A practice with this level of training has seen that happen. They’ve watched patients from other offices come in with failed cosmetic work because the bite wasn’t addressed. That’s why they check it before recommending treatment.
The Fourth Question: Are You a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Not everyone is. Before recommending veneers, Dr. Radziszewski and Dr. Dabros evaluate several factors:
- Tooth Health: Veneers work best on healthy teeth. If you have decay or gum disease, treat those first.
- Enamel Thickness: Veneers require removing a small amount of enamel. If your enamel is thin or worn, bonding might be a better option.
- Bite Function: If your bite is unbalanced, we may need to address that before placing veneers. Otherwise, the restorations won’t last.
- Gum Health: Healthy gums are the foundation for any cosmetic work. If your gums are inflamed or receding, we’ll treat that first.
- Your Goals: Veneers can do a lot, but they can’t do everything. If a different treatment would better achieve your goals, we’ll tell you.
The Fifth Question: What’s Your Timeline and Budget?
Cosmetic dentistry is an investment. Dr. Radziszewski and Dr. Dabros take that seriously. They’ll walk you through the cost of each treatment option and explain what insurance covers and what it doesn’t. They’ll also discuss payment plans and financing options if that would help. The practice accepts CareCredit, which offers 0% financing for procedures insurance doesn’t cover.
They’ll also talk about timing. Veneers typically take two to three visits over a few weeks. If you have an event coming up, they’ll help you plan around it.
What Happens After the Consultation
Once Dr. Radziszewski and Dr. Dabros have gathered all the information, they’ll create a personalized treatment plan. This might include veneers, bonding, or a combination of treatments.
You’ll see a preview of what your smile could look like using digital imaging and a mock-up. You’ll have time to ask questions, make changes, and approve the plan before anything begins.
If you’re a candidate for Bioclear bonding, we can complete treatment in a single visit. If you’re considering veneers, the process usually takes two to three weeks.
Why This Approach Matters
The difference between a thorough consultation and a quick one shows up in the results. Dr. Radziszewski and Dr. Dabros have seen what happens when cosmetic work ignores the underlying bite. They’ve seen how a poorly designed veneer can cause problems years later. They’ve seen how whitening can leave teeth looking unnatural if the shade isn’t chosen carefully.
They’ve also seen the opposite. Patients who came in with complex problems left with natural-looking smiles that lasted for years. That’s the result of careful planning, not luck.
Serving Arlington Heights and Beyond
Dazzling Dentistry has two convenient locations. Our Arlington Heights office is at 102 S. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Our Chicago office is at 6941 W. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL 60638.
We proudly serve patients in Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, and the wider northwest suburbs. We also welcome patients from Chicago’s southwest side and the surrounding communities.
If you’re considering veneers, we’d love to talk. Dr. Radziszewski and Dr. Dabros will take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your smile, and create a plan that works for you.
Call our Arlington Heights office at (224) 328-2452 or our Chicago office at (872) 276-8546 to schedule your consultation. You can also request an appointment online anytime.