Cosmetic Dentistry – Westchase, FL

Which Cosmetic Dental Service Is Right for Me?

The type of cosmetic services we recommend will be based on what improvements you want to make, such as whiter teeth, straighter teeth, or improperly shaped teeth. While we’re explaining your options, we’ll also give you a price range for what you can expect to pay for each one.

• Veneers: Compared to other cosmetic treatments, veneers tend to be more costly. However, they can also save you from having to pay for additional procedures because they can transform multiple aspects of your smile at once, and they can last for over a decade with the right care.
• Dental Bonding: Direct bonding can be used to make a wide variety of minor corrections to a single tooth. It’s one of the cheapest options available but may not last as long as other treatments.
• Teeth Whitening: A whitening procedure tends to be mid-range in terms of cost. It’s definitely a great option for brightening your smile, but it can’t do anything to improve the shape or position of the teeth, so it likely won’t be an option for many patients.
• Gum Recontouring: The fee for gum recontouring varies depending on how much tissue needs to be removed. It tends to be one of the more affordable cosmetic options, but it’s also more limited in the scope of the kind of improvements it can help with.

Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be an Investment Worth Making

Looking at the cost of cosmetic dentistry by itself can be intimidating, but you have to remember that the true value of the treatment will make itself known in the long term. People who are unhappy with their appearance often become much more confident after their treatment, which can make a difference in their careers and their social lives. And of course, the better your smile looks, the easier it is to make a great first impression when it counts the most, such as at a job interview.

How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable

One strategy for making it easier to pay for cosmetic dentistry is financing. Simply put, instead of paying everything all at once, you can cover the cost in a number of monthly installments that fit into your budget. We work with CareCredit, a third-party program that helps patients around the county pay for costly treatments, including cosmetic dentistry. Our practice also offers an in-house financing program that lets you develop a comprehensive payment plan for any services you think you might need soon. Let us know if you’re interested in using financing to cover the cost of your new smile. 

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Insurance?

As a rule of thumb, dental insurance doesn’t typically pay for cosmetic treatments, as most of the time they’re elective procedures. That said, there are sometimes exceptions if the treatment has notable benefits for your overall oral health. For example, veneers and metal-free crowns might be covered if they’re being used to protect damaged teeth. Some insurance plans will also involve gum recontouring if it involves removing infected tissue. Check with your insurance company to see what sort of benefits they offer for a given treatment. Our team can also review the details of your plan with you and help you find ways to maximize your available coverage.

How Do I Know If I Need Cosmetic Dentistry?

You may want to consider cosmetic dentistry if you’ve ever seen your smile in the mirror or photographs and been unhappy with what you saw. Stains, discoloration, chips, and cracks are some of the most common reasons to want a cosmetic treatment. Excessive gum tissue and improperly spaced teeth are also cosmetic issues that your dentist can help with. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with us so that you can let us know what kind of changes you want to make; we’ll recommend procedures based on what you want.

How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?

Some cosmetic treatments last longer than others. For example, veneers tend to have a longer lifespan than dental bonding. This is because veneers are made out of porcelain, which is much more durable than the composite resin used in the bonding process. As for teeth whitening, how long the results last depends on what kind of care you give your teeth afterward; staying away from coffee and other beverages that are known to cause tooth stains can make a large difference. Gum recontouring is more permanent than other treatments since the removed gum tissue doesn’t grow back.

Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?

When performing any sort of cosmetic procedure, we make your comfort a priority. Most cosmetic treatments, such as whitening and bonding, are noninvasive, so we won’t even need to numb the mouth for them. We may, however, have to use a local anesthetic for veneers and metal-free crowns, since these procedures involve reshaping the teeth to make room for the restoration. After such treatments, you may experience some soreness and sensitivity in your mouth for a few days, but it will wear off quickly.