All you need to know about Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry is all about enhancing the appearance of the teeth or gums by improving the color, shape, size and the overall appearance of the smile. Certain types of dental treatment require going through with different types of cosmetic dental procedures.

Factors to consider before the treatment

Although pricing could be one of the important factors to consider before adopting any treatment plan, but other necessary factors may be considered before an initial appointment has been made.

  1. Choice of the Doctor: A little research before the experience matters a lot since the choice of the doctor totally depends on the patient.
  2. Restoration: The material used during restoration effects the overall treatment cost since inlays and outlays are custom-made, preparation for employing the restorative material on the tooth is necessary.
  3. Quality and Material: The Quality and material is another factor to consider since aesthetic option like Porcelain is quite expensive but long lasting while the composite resin is slightly less expensive and won’t last long enough as compared to porcelain.
  4. Location of Practice: A good, trustworthy dental lab is equally important as it saves from facing more substantial issues and dental costs in the future.

Treatment Cost and Options

Inlays and Onlays

The procedure is also known as indirect fillings done through porcelain or composite materials which is a long lasting and aesthetically pleasing way to provide filling for the tooth. Inlays and Onlays are created in a laboratory before molding them within the mouth.

Initially, the cost depends on the level of training and material used since onlays are sometimes more costly than inlays. The cost of the treatment ranges from $600 to $1,200 per tooth. An indirect filling ranges from $150 to $200 per filling.

Teeth Whitening

It is one of the common and least expensive ways to enhance the appearance of the smile. Bleaching the teeth through different products could be done at home too. It costs around $3 to $150 on in-house products or gels.

Composite Bonding

In this procedure, a composite resin with a look of enamel is applied on the surface of the tooth which is then molded through laser light. The dental bonding can repair chipped or cracked teeth and takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. The average cost ranges from $300 to $600 per tooth which is actually less expensive as compared to dental veneers.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin custom made shells made up of porcelain or resin which are used to fill gaps between the teeth. The procedure can cost up to $500 to $1,300 and is also known as “Hollywood Teeth.”

Dental Implants

These are artificial tooth root replacements inserted in case of tooth loss. The procedure could cost around $1,250 to $3,000 as it gives a youthful appearance more than a good smile.

Dental Braces

These are great for crooked or misaligned teeth as they exert pressure on the teeth over a period of time allowing them to move in a specific direction.

Smile Makeover or Full Mouth Reconstruction

Smile makeover requires improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the smile through different procedures whereas full mouth reconstruction is a lengthy process which requires comprehensive assessment and treatment of functional issues to look natural.

Expectations during Initial Consultation

A significant amount of time and patience is required as the initial consultation may include a comprehensive examination of the mouth, reviewing the smile tooth by tooth through photographs and discussing different shapes of tooth and designs that are appealing to the patient.