Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry Everything you need to know. Table of Contents
Do I Need Cosmetic Dentistry Services? 3 Do you often smile with a closed mouth in photographs? Do you have a very special event coming up? Have your teeth suffered damage or decay? Cosmetic dentistry services are for everyone
Cosmetic Dentistry 101 4 Teeth Whitening Aesthetically Pleasing Repairs Orthodontics
Finding Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry 5 Don’t get everything fixed at once Talk to your insurance provider to be clear on what’s covered Talk to your dentist about affordable cosmetic dentistry Be sure your dentist has advanced credentials
Is there cosmetic dental insurance? 6 Cosmetic Dental Insurance Cash Pay Payment Plans
How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in the Long-run? 7 Braces Dental implants Full mouth reconstruction
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 2 Do I Need Cosmetic Dentistry Services?
Only you can decide if you need cosmetic dentistry services. While get your smile in tip-top shape! Perhaps an in-office or take-home these procedures are often considered “elective,” having a smile whitening treatment is right for you. Chat with your dentist to you can be proud of is a tremendous confidence-booster. And a see how you can make your smile its brightest for those timeless confident, radiant smile can carry you far. Here are a few questions photographs. to ask yourself as you consider the possibility of cosmetic dentistry. Have your teeth suffered damage or decay?
Do you often smile with a closed mouth in Perhaps you have tooth decay, or damaged teeth from an injury or photographs? accident. Even the most complex dental concerns can be repaired If so, you might want to consider why. Maybe you don’t like your with the latest technology. You would be amazed at the potential teeth and need a smile confidence boost. Perhaps you have damage results. Set up a consultation with your dentist to explore your next or decay that needs to be addressed. Or maybe you just wish your steps and come up with the ideal treatment plan for you. smile was whiter and brighter. If any of these describe you, you might want to have a conversation with a cosmetic dental specialist. Cosmetic dentistry services are for everyone A qualified cosmetic dentist can offer you a detailed consultation Flawless smiles rarely come naturally. They often need a little help and help create a treatment plan that fits your needs. Having along the way. Almost everyone can benefit from cosmetic dentistry confidence in your smile can make all the difference; don’t wait. at some point in their lives, from whitening and braces, to repairs and veneers. Do you have a very special event coming up?
Are you getting married? Or perhaps you’re the maid of honor or the mother of the bride? Is your 10 year (or 20 year) high school reunion just around the corner? If so, now would be a great time to
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 3 Cosmetic Dentistry 101
Looking for a guide to cosmetic dentistry? Your smile is the first to teeth that suffer from damage or decay. They are made of thing people notice about you. And it’s much less about your porcelain or a composite material, and are expertly fitted and appearance, and much more about the confidence you radiate when bonded to the teeth by your dentist. your eyes light up and you grin from ear to ear. The right cosmetic 2. Composite bonding can repair chipped or broken teeth and dentistry can help you have that confidence in your smile. Here is a make them look brand new. Your dentist uses a composite quick guide to some of your options: material and carefully hand-sculpts it into shape, resulting in a Teeth Whitening flawless restoration of the tooth and a bright smile.
Tooth whitening can be achieved in many different ways. The 3. Dental veneers are often made of porcelain, and can be bonded simplest way to brighten your teeth is with a whitening toothpaste to the surface of a tooth to correct chips, cracks, or large gaps. at home. Though this option is the least expensive, the results 4. Dental implants are an artificial tooth replacement that repairs will be the most subtle. Your dentist might also recommend a tooth loss. The results of dental implants are often a more take-home kit that they can provide for you in-office for more youthful appearance, as missing teeth can prematurely age the dramatic results. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use, low- face. concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made trays that 5. Dental contouring involves gently reshaping the teeth to resemble mouth guards. For the most dramatic whitening results, remove rough edges, sharp points, or too much length. you can choose an in-office whitening procedure. This usually only requires one visit, and ensures even whitening over every surface of Orthodontics the teeth. Orthodontics can correct crooked teeth or a poor bite utilizing traditional braces or invisible aligners. Ask your dentist if Aesthetically Pleasing Repairs orthodontics is the right answer to your dental concerns. These cosmetic dentistry options include inlays/onlays, composite bonding, dental veneers, dental implants, and dental contouring.
1. Inlays/onlays can be an attractive way to provide a “filling”
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 4 Finding Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry
Finding affordable cosmetic dentistry can be intimidating. Many Talk to your dentist about affordable dental insurance plans don’t cover “non-essential” procedures, and cosmetic dentistry the cost of creating the smile of your dreams can add up quickly. Many dentists offer low-interest payment plans to their patients, But when the right cosmetic dentist is on your side; they will do making your dream smile that much more attainable. Also, be sure their absolute best to create a treatment plan that fits your budget. to have an in-depth consultation with your dentist about your smile Here are some tips and tricks to finding affordable cosmetic goals before making any decisions. They are the experts, and may dentistry in your area. have insight into helping you achieve your goal with even fewer Don’t get everything fixed at once procedures. It can be a great idea to take your time and spread your smile Be sure your dentist has advanced credentials makeover out over months or even years. Take baby steps toward You want to find a dentist who is certified by the American reaching your goals, rather than paying a huge lump sum all at once Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These dentists are at the for multiple methods. This not only makes the process more gradual top of their field, and can recommend the ideal procedures for you and even comfortable, but keeps beautiful results well within your at the most reasonable available pricing. A great dentist will take budget. their time with you in consultation, ensuring you feel comfortable Talk to your insurance provider to be clear with every aspect of your treatment plan. They will also get excited on what’s covered with you about attaining your dream smile!
While many elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance, some procedures that you may need as a result of an illness or injury may be. For example, tooth whitening is rarely covered, but veneers or other forms of resurfacing or reshaping the teeth may be covered. You never know until you ask.
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 5 Is there cosmetic dental insurance?
Seeking cosmetic dental insurance can feel like a daunting task. Cash Pay Many insurance companies don’t offer complete dental coverage to Many providers offer a discount, (often significant), to patients who begin with, so finding coverage that includes “elective” procedures are willing to pay cash for their care. Talk to your provider about can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Depending on the the possibilities of a reduction in fees if you are able to pay cash types of treatment you may need, there are many financial options on the spot. If you have a non-urgent cosmetic procedure that you that can help you stay on-budget and still get the smile you’ve would like to have done, start setting aside some funds now so you always dreamed of. can schedule your procedure in the near future. Cosmetic Dental Insurance Payment Plans Even plans that offer great dental coverage may be lacking in Talk to your provider about the possibility of a payment plan for discounts for cosmetic procedures. Be sure to talk to your insurance your cosmetic dentistry needs. Many dentists will offer low-interest provider in detail about the level of coverage available for the financing to their patients so that they can get the care they need treatment you are hoping to get. For example, it’s almost impossible right away. If you are concerned about the cost of any procedure, to find a plan that will discount tooth whitening. But depending talk to your doctor about it. They want to do everything in their on the level of damage or decay that your teeth are suffering, power to provide you with the best care possible. A good provider procedures like veneers or dental implants may be covered as a will be able to help you work your care into your budget to the best medical necessity. For maximum coverage, look for an indemnity of their ability. or fee-for-service dental insurance plan, which can only be found through private insurers (not the Marketplace.) Plans like these will often cost twice as much (or more) than typical dental coverage. The trade-off is that the customer will be able to choose any doctor they want, and have nearly any procedure covered after they meet their deductible.
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 6 How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in the Long-run?
How much does cosmetic dentistry cost? That question has widely restoring your beautiful smile, are also a long-term solution to varied answers depending on the type of procedure you may need missing teeth. With proper care, an expertly placed dental implant or want. Cosmetic dentistry can vary in price from a few hundred can last a lifetime, making it well worth the initial financial to several thousand dollars, but the only way to get an accurate investment. On average, a single dental implant can cost between quote is to have a detailed consultation with your dentist to assess $1,000-$5,000. your needs. However, reparative and preventative cosmetic dental care can actually cost less if addressed now than the potential Full mouth reconstruction problems a lack of treatment may cause in the long run. Here are a A full mouth reconstruction will profoundly improve the aesthetics few procedures that can do just that. of your smile, while also treating and correcting functional problems with the bite, teeth, and bone structure. The results can Braces be beautiful and natural looking, while correcting a whole lifetime Orthodontia, like braces or invisalign, can correct not just crooked of problems. The cost of a full mouth reconstruction can only be teeth, but a host of bite and jaw problems as well. Dental issues like determined after a detailed consultation with your dentist. these, when corrected early, can prevent much greater problems in Think of cosmetic dentistry as an investment in your health and the future. While braces & retainers may seem like a big investment in your confidence. Talk to your dentist today about how cosmetic now, they are well worth it in the long run. Invisalign can cost an dentistry may be able to correct and prevent dental problems, all average of between $3,000-$8,000. while perfecting and beautifying your unique smile. Dental implants
Dental implants are often used when a tooth is lost due to infection or injury. Leaving the space open can invite new infections, and potentially affect speaking and eating. Dental implants, while
GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 7 Congratulations!
Now that you know what is available, give us a call.
Here at Fredericksburg Smile Center, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that will give you a smile you can love. Our friendly, professional staff will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs!
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