Everything You Need to Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

People take pride in an attractive smile, which is why cosmetic dentistry is so popular. Although it’s an elective procedure and not typically covered by insurance, cosmetic dentistry can improve health by fixing periodontal issues, which have been connected to many serious health conditions. If you’re at-risk for serious health conditions, your insurance may be more inclined to cover the procedure. This is something to speak to your dentist about. Before deciding to undergo any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to consider the benefits, experience of the dentist, and cost. Overall, cosmetic dentistry can be a very positive experience, if you enter into it with a full understanding of what’s involved.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

In general, cosmetic dentistry is the type of elective dentistry that improves the appearance of your smile. It’s a procedure that isn’t necessary to the function of teeth or gums, but often times it does improve the patient’s health.

Keep in mind not all dentists perform procedures the same way, and many are embracing modern methods for improving teeth. For example, Guerra Dental family & cosmetic dentistry in Colorado Springs specializes in Invisalign and Zoom teeth whitening, both of which are relatively new methods. The reason modern methods are preferred over traditional methods is because the materials used are more durable, and they often result in more natural looking teeth than older methods.

Here’s some examples of cosmetic dental procedures:

• Teeth whitening
• Veneers
• Implants
• Bridges
• Braces
• Enamel shaping and contouring
• Crowns
• Bonding

Although not currently approved for cosmetic dentistry, entirely new methods for improving the look of teeth are on the horizon. Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have discovered a way to regenerate tissue in the human body, including using a low-power laser to promote dentin production in teeth. It is unknown when dentists will have access to this technology, but when it does become available it will change how dental issues are corrected.

What are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?

There’s a lot of reasons a person may consider cosmetic dentistry. People may choose a procedure because it will improve their health. Health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, heart attack, respiratory disease, and more, have been connected to periodontal disease. Bad bite (aka poor dental alignment), digestion issues, and TMJ are other health-related reasons a person would consider cosmetic dentistry.

For truly cosmetic procedures, such as veneers or teeth whitening, the reason is usually to improve the patient’s overall appearance to raise their self-esteem or improve their professional success. Especially if your job requires a number of speaking engagements, public appearances, or any on-camera work, cosmetic dentistry increases confidence, which can improve relationships.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist?

Your dentist’s skill directly correlates to how the procedure will turn out, including whether or not it fails. You can determine a dentist’s skill based on reviews, education, and the before and after photos of other patients. Do your due diligence and research as much as possible; it will be obvious through reviews which dentists are capable and skilled and which aren’t.

How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?

Cosmetic dentistry is incredibly popular because people take pride in an attractive smile. An empty space or yellow teeth can cause low self-esteem and a number of other issues, which is why patients spend an average of $4,000 per procedure. Keep in mind, this is simply the national average. Depending on what procedure you get, cosmetic dentistry can cost significantly less. Some procedures are reported to cost $100 or less. Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry is an elective procedure, which means it’s not typically covered by insurance. To save money, choose a dentist who is experienced, reliable, and affordable.

Every patient is different, so only your dentist can quote an accurate price. Your smile means a lot to you, so be sure to seek out a dentist who is highly skilled in the field and who can help you achieve the look you want. There’s a lot of benefits to having a bright, attractive, and healthy-looking smile, and a high-quality cosmetic dentist can help you look and feel good again.