COSMETIC DENTISTRY

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry refers to the art of improving your smile and preserving its natural structure and tissues. Cosmetic smile enhancements range from simple to more complex procedures, depending on your needs. Most cosmetic dental treatments can be done in a few visits and can be customized to suit your needs.

Types of Cosmetic Dental Treatments:

• Veneers
• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Crowns
• Dental Bonding
• Clear Aligners
• Dental Implants
• Gingival Contouring

Our Cosmetic Dental Treatments

If you are interested in improving your smile, you may be curious about the different types of treatments available to do so. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about the most popular treatments for oral aesthetics.

Porcelain Veneers

For those for whom teeth whitening is not an option — be it due to stubborn intrinsic tooth staining or some other functional concern — porcelain veneers may be the answer. A porcelain shell is fabricated to fit over a prepared tooth to correct worn enamel, uneven alignment/spacing, chips/cracks, and/or discoloration.

Porcelain veneers are a great option if you are unhappy with your smile and want to create the perfect smile. Veneer application, unlike whitening, is an invasive procedure and requires permanent changes to your natural teeth.

What is the cost of porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be expensive. However, you can expect to pay between $925 and $2,500 per tooth. This is not a permanent solution. The average lifespan of traditional porcelain veneers is between 10 and 15 years.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening (or bleaching) is the most popular and simple cosmetic dentistry treatment. The ease of access and relatively low cost make it a very attractive option for people looking to improve smile esthetics without undergoing anything too invasive. The best results are typically achieved through in-office professional teeth whitening treatment, though there are a number of dentist-dispensed take-home whiteners that let you do it yourself.

Depending on which type of teeth whitening treatment is chosen, it may be possible to lighten your teeth by two and up to nine shades. The results are temporary and can last several months depending on how well your teeth are taken care of.

What is the cost of teeth whitening?

Prices for whitening vary from one treatment to the next and from brand to brand. Professional teeth whitening is approximately $400 to $650 per appointment, while do-it-yourself kits can cost anywhere from $100 to $400. Strips and other over-the-counter options are much more affordable, however, they are less effective and can be more damaging to your teeth if not executed properly.

Dental Bonding

Bonding, although it isn’t the most glamorous cosmetic dentistry treatment, is still very popular. Dental bonding is a process that permanently attaches dental materials to teeth such as crowns, fillings, and veneers. Direct composite bonding can also be used to fix small cracks and chips with tooth-colored composites. It is an inexpensive, simple solution to many dental problems.

What is the cost of dental bonding?

It will depend on what type of bonding is performed and whether the bonding is part of a larger procedure like veneers. Dental bonding costs range from $300 to $600 per tooth on average. Talk to a dentist for a custom-tailored cost estimate.

Porcelain Crowns

Also referred to as “caps,” crowns help to preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. In this sense, crowns straddle the line between restorative and cosmetic. Crown materials can be gold, porcelain fused to metal, or all-ceramic porcelain; the last of which offers the highest degree of esthetic value.

Porcelain crowns entail a reduced thickness that maintains durability. Although thick, these crowns allow for increased light transmission for a natural, tooth-like appearance. Although durable, the all-ceramic porcelain variety of crowns, in certain cases, may not be feasible for certain areas of the mouth that require stronger functioning (such as molars).

What is the cost of porcelain crowns?

Porcelain crowns cost between $1,000 and $3,500 per tooth on average. These crowns have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, similar to porcelain veneers. The better you care for your teeth, the longer your crowns can last.

Clear Aligners

Invisible braces are a great option for those who don’t want to have to deal with a full set of bracket and wire braces. There are many options for invisible braces, such as ceramic tooth-colored brackets or inside braces (placed at the back of your teeth), or clear aligners like Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®. These types of braces are not interchangeable. Each case must be considered before deciding upon the unique treatment for your smile.

What is the cost of invisible braces?

Invisible braces cost varies from one case to the next, and product to product. The cost of inside braces will be comparable to traditional braces (from $3,000 to $7,000), however, ceramic braces or clear aligners might end up being slightly more costly (though still within the same price range).

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They offer the best strength and durability, with natural-looking aesthetics. Implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. They consist of an artificial root (typically made from titanium) that is surgically placed in the jaw. It then fuses with the bone in what is called osseointegration.

Implants are known for their incredible durability. To replace a tooth, a crown is placed on top of the implant. This procedure is considered invasive. It takes six months to recover before the crown can be attached and the procedure is complete.

What is the cost of dental implants?

On average, dental implants cost between $900 to $3,000 per tooth. However, costs can vary greatly depending on your unique case. Dental implants are also very durable. A dental implant will last you for the rest of your life, provided you get them before your 40s. However, similar to porcelain crowns and veneers, the crown that covers the implant might need to be replaced within 10 to 15 years.

Gingival Contouring

A common smile concern many people share is a gummy smile, in which an excessive amount of gum tissue is exposed when smiling.

Also called excessive gingival display, a gummy smile is treatable in a variety of ways.

These treatments include:

• laser treatment,
• surgical lip repositioning,
• orthodontics,
• maxillofacial surgery, and
• gingival sculpting

Gingival contouring treatments often are performed by specialists such as periodontists, orthodontists, or in some cases an oral surgeon.

What is the cost of Gingival Contouring?

It is hard to estimate the cost of gingival contouring because there are so many variables. Talking to your qualified dentist in Burleson, TX, is the best way to estimate the cost of treatment.

Ready for a New Smile?

It is a big decision that requires careful consideration. You can trust Dr. Barroso and Dr. Magers to give you the beautiful smile that you have always dreamed of. Legacy Dental in Burleson, TX can help. Contact us today if you want to learn more and schedule an appointment – 972-544-2123.