Thursday, May 23, 2013

Archive for the ‘Veneers’ Category

The Five Most Expensive Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Cosmetic Dentistry Costs

5 Most Expensive Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry can get expensive depending on the treatment necessary and the oral health of the patient. For the most part dental insurance will not cover cosmetic dentistry treatments because they are elected as opposed to necessary. Below are the five most expensive cosmetic dentistry treatments available.

  1. Teeth Whitening- In-office teeth whitening such as Zoom whitening or take-home bleaching kits are what we are referring to here. You can have your teeth whitened on the cheap with over-the-counter strips and toothpastes but these are not as effective. Expect teeth whitening to range from $100 to $700 for take-home kits and in-office whitening, respectively.
  2. Orthodontics- Orthodontics such as traditional braces and Invisalign are one of the most common treatments people use to enhance their dental health and smiles. Orthodontics are not known for being cheap although this is are one of the few treatments that can be considered cosmetic that dental insurance will sometimes cover. You can expect these treatments to run anywhere between $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the needs of the patient.
  3. Veneers- Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that can quickly enhance the appearance of teeth and smile. Veneers can be placed on one or several teeth, thus affecting the cost of the procedure. Veneers range from $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on the dentist, their training, location and condition of the patient’s teeth.
  4. Dental Implants- Dental implants are the most expensive of all the dental treatments because they involve surgical placement and integrate into your jawbone. These are also considered a restorative dentistry procedure but the skills of a good cosmetic dentist will be able to blend the restorative portion of the treatment to help the patient have the smile of their dreams. Dental implants can replace one or all teeth and cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 per tooth, or as much as $24,000 to $96,000 for a full mouth reconstruction.
  5. Smile Makeover- A smile makeover is a combination of multiple cosmetic and sometimes restorative dentistry treatments. With this procedure the patient wants to use whatever treatments are necessary to give them the smile of their dreams. This may involve teeth whitening, veneers, dental crowns, dental implants, Invisalign or a number of other cosmetic dentistry treatments. It’s hard to put a price tag on the smile makeover treatment because it is so custom tailored for each patient. Expect to pay in the $1,000 to $3,000 range per tooth.

The Advantages of Dental Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Advantages of Veneers

Dental veneers are the thin sheets of tooth-like material that are used to both restore and improve the appearance of teeth. They are a great alternative to dental crowns because they are a less invasive procedure, meaning they do not require as much tooth preparation in order to be placed. While dental veneers may not be available to every patient, most people with healthy tooth structure can benefit from a veneers procedure. Part of the lure of veneers is that ordinary people are able to achieve Hollywood smiles with a simple and effective dental veneers procedure. Learn more about the benefits of dental veneers below.

Natural Tooth Appearance

Most veneers are comprised of porcelain, a stain-resisting material that mimics the properties of natural teeth. Porcelain is a popular choice because your cosmetic dentist will be able to match the texture of your existing teeth as well as the color of your existing teeth (if needed) when placing your cosmetic restoration. In addition to resembling natural teeth in color, porcelain veneers also better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth better than resin composite materials.

Gum Tissue Tolerates Porcelain Well

Patients often forget that cosmetic dentistry treatments are designed with the objective of helping patients improve their appearance as well as their dental health. Porcelain veneers are a popular treatment because they achieve both of these goals. The veneer is placed in such a way that it will have to come into contact with gum tissue. Fortunately for veneer recipients, gum tissue tolerates porcelain well and dental health is restored.

Aesthetic & Procedure Benefits

Veneers patients may have options when it comes to improving the appearance and function of their teeth. This decision should be based on the experience and knowledge of the dentist however patients should still be informed of the options of other restorative and cosmetic treatments. For example, dental crowns are also an approach a dentist can take to change a tooth’s color, shape and appearance however requires the removal of much more healthy tooth structure than a veneer. Veneer patients may benefit more from a procedure that required less shaping of the tooth to achieve the cosmetic and dental health enhancements they are seeking.