Do you hide your smile because of tooth discoloration or gaps between your teeth? At Soundview Family Dental, we understand how important a beautiful smile is and we work with all our patients to ensure they have good oral health and a smile they can be proud of. Unfortunately, even if your teeth are healthy, they may not look like you desire. This is where cosmetic dentistry can make all the difference. But what are the different cosmetic dental procedures, and how much does cosmetic dentistry cost?
Key Takeaways
- Cosmetic dentistry improves teeth appearance.
- Costs vary based on procedure, materials, location, dentist’s skill, oral health, and teeth treated.
- Common procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, bridges, crowns, and implants.
- Teeth whitening: $few to $200+, Veneers: $500-$1300/tooth, Bonding: $100-$400/tooth, Crowns: $900-$2000/each, Implants: $1250-$3000/tooth.
- Dental insurance may not cover cosmetic dentistry, some plans may cover bonding or metal filling replacements.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry offers different procedures that focus on the appearance of your teeth. For example, if your teeth are stained or discolored from too many cups of coffee, cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening treatments or veneers, can give your teeth and your smile a much brighter appearance. In addition, procedures, such as crowns or dental implants, can help replace missing teeth, giving you back a complete smile.
Cosmetic dentistry costs
Prices for cosmetic dental procedures vary greatly depending on the type of procedure and other factors. For example, teeth whitening procedures can range from a few dollars for over-the-counter options to $200 for professional treatments. On the high end, procedures such as dental implants to replace a missing tooth can cost $5000 or more. Factors that can affect cosmetic dentistry costs can include:
- Specific treatment: As mentioned above, different treatments will vary in price range
- Materials used for treatment: Different material options are available in some treatments. For example, crowns can come in either metal or tooth-colored composite and your choice affects the price.
- Geographical location: The area where you live contributes to the cost. Bigger cities may charge higher costs due to demand and overhead costs.
- The dentist’s skill: Dentists with extensive or specialized training may charge more than new cosmetic dentists.
- Your oral health: If you require additional oral care before cosmetic procedures, such as treating gum disease, you may have additional costs associated with your desired procedure.
- The number of teeth being treated: Many procedures charge by tooth. For example, if you want to remove a stain on a single tooth, a single veneer would be cheaper than a full mouth.
Types of cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry includes a wide selection of treatment options designed to address several concerns.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures. While you can opt for over-the-counter teeth whitening products from your local retail store, your dentist’s whitening treatments or in-office products are likely to produce better results. Whitening treatments include custom-fitted molds filled with whitening gel. At-home products can include whitening toothpaste, rinses, and whitening strips. Whitening treatments can cost a few dollars for OTC options up to $200 or so for in-office whitening treatments.
Veneers
Dental veneers are a thin, custom-made shell that fits over the surface of your tooth. These are made of tooth-colored porcelain or resin. After your dentist removes some of the enamel from the surface of your tooth, this shell is bonded directly to the tooth. Veneers can address tooth staining and change the shape, size, and even the length of the existing tooth, helping to improve the appearance of your smile. Dental veneers can average between $500-$1300 per tooth.
Dental bonding
Like veneers, dental bonding is designed to cover the tooth to address chips, cracks, discoloration, misshapen teeth, and even as a cosmetic alternative to silver fillings. Instead of a thin shell, dental bonding uses a tooth-colored, putty-like material that is applied to the tooth and then hardened with a laser or ultraviolet light. Once the material hardens, the dentist can trim and shape the material to give it a natural appearance. Dental bonding can cost between $100-$400 per tooth.
Dental bridges and crowns
A dental crown is essentially a cap covering an existing tooth that has damage from decay or other injuries. This cap helps restore the shape and size of the tooth while also providing additional strength to the tooth. They can also be used cosmetically to cover misshapen or discolored teeth. In addition, a crown is a component of a dental bridge used to replace a missing tooth. In this case, a crown is placed on the surrounding teeth with a false tooth attached in between.
Crowns are made from various materials, such as metal, porcelain, and ceramic, and which material you choose will affect the cost. A dental crown can cost between $900-$2000 each, and this cost increases when used to create a bridge.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a permanent replacement option for a missing tooth or missing teeth. With dental implants, a titanium screw is placed into the jawbone to securely hold a replacement tooth. This screw stimulates the jawbone and reduces the risk of bone loss commonly experienced after tooth loss. Implants can replace a single tooth or a full arch of teeth, depending on what is needed. Single dental implants can cost between $1250-$3000 per tooth.
Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry treatments?
In most cases, dental insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures like whitening, veneers, and dental implants. When bonding is used to provide filling or replace metal fillings, some insurance companies will cover the cost. When it comes to crowns and bridges designed to provide support to damaged teeth or replace a missing tooth, your insurance may cover the procedure. As with any dental care, it is best to check with your insurance provider before scheduling a procedure to see what is covered and not.
Boost your smile with cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to give you a smile that makes you happy. At Soundview Family Dental, our team is eager to help ensure you have a healthy, beautiful smile that makes you proud! If you would like how the different cosmetic dental procedures can make a difference for you, contact us online today or call the office at (425) 563-6360 to schedule an appointment!
