Cosmetic Dentistry

Who Benefits From Cosmetic Procedures?

The most common age groups that undergo cosmetic dental procedures are those between 31 to 40 years old (38 percent) and 41 to 50 years old (32 percent). Ninety-six percent of esthetic dentistry patients are also female.

Why Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry procedures can correct misshaped, chipped, discolored, and missing teeth.

There are simple and sophisticated solutions for fixing a smile, depending on the patient’s desired outcome. According to experts, there are many reasons why an individual is unhappy with their smile. For example, the most common causes are tooth discoloration, teeth crowding, and teeth gaps. Dental veneers are the most requested treatment because they can correct all of the cosmetic issues listed above.

It’s important to look for dentists who are qualified in the specific area of treatment you are seeking. For example, all dentists learn cosmetic techniques in traditional dental schools.

Although, some dentists invest more time and money into continuing education for cosmetic dentistry, which makes them better equipped than someone who hasn’t made the same investment. So, finding a dentist that focuses on cosmetic procedures ensures you will receive the highest quality treatment.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Esthetic dental treatments are commonly referred to as “smile makeovers.” In particular, there are a few cosmetic procedures to choose from based on individual needs:

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can be one of the simplest and least expensive ways to improve your smile. Teeth can be bleached with in-office products in your dentist’s office for about $500, or you can buy a mold and gels from your dentist to bleach your teeth at home. There are also whitening products available over the counter at retail stores for convenient at-home whitening: whitening toothpastes, rinses, and whitestrips. These products together run about $3 – $50.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored porcelain or resin that cover the front surface of the teeth. After removing about a half-millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, these thin shells are bonded (cemented) to the front of the teeth, changing their color, shape, size, or length. Veneers are often called “Hollywood teeth.” Living up to that name, this process can cost up to $500-$1,300 per tooth.

Dental Bonding

In dental bonding, a tooth-colored, putty-like resin, which is a durable plastic material, is applied to the tooth and hardened with an ultraviolet or laser light, bonding the material to the tooth. Your dentist then trims, shapes, and polishes it. Bonding can repair decayed, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth; it is also a good cosmetic alternative to, or replacement for, amalgam or silver fillings. Bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and $100 to $400, per tooth.

Dental Crown

A dental crown, also called a cap, fits over and replaces the entire decayed or damaged tooth above the gum line, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns keep a weak tooth from breaking or hold a cracked tooth together; they can be used cosmetically to cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth. Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, or ceramic, and cost about $500 to $900 each.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays, also called indirect fillings, are made from gold, porcelain, or composite materials and fill decayed or damaged teeth. Dental fillings are molded into place during an office visit; however, inlays and onlays are created in a dental laboratory and bonded into place by your dentist. The filling is called an “inlay” when the material is bonded within the center of a tooth; it is called an “onlay” when the filling includes one or more points of the tooth or covers the biting surface. Inlays and onlays preserve as much healthy tooth as possible and are an alternative to crowns. This cosmetic dentistry procedure costs about $650 to $1,200 per tooth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium replacement tooth roots inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw and providing a foundation for a replacement tooth. This procedure can cost anywhere from $1,250 to $3,000.

Braces and Clear Aligners

Braces and clear aligners are orthodontic treatments, but they are also considered cosmetic by nature. This is because most people who invest in braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign, do so to improve their appearance. In some cases, braces or clear aligners may be medically necessary.

Both devices put pressure on your teeth, which moves them into the correct positions over time. Children and teens often get traditional metal braces, while adults typically get clear braces or aligners because they are less noticeable.

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is another cosmetic procedure that changes the shape of your gums. During the procedure, a dentist cuts away any excessive gum tissue that is causing a “gummy” smile. A gummy smile is when a person has too much gum tissue above their top teeth. Contouring can also be used to restore exposed teeth caused by receding gum tissue.

Other Options

A bridge is made of crowns for the teeth on either side of a gap with false teeth in between. A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. Dental braces can straighten crooked or misaligned teeth and works by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction.