How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?
Cosmetic dentistry eden prairie mn procedures vary widely, depending on the complexity of the procedure. “Cosmetic dentistry” is an umbrella term that refers to dental work that improves the appearance of the teeth, primarily focusing on procedures that improve the color, placement, size, shape, and alignment of the teeth. The ultimate aim of a cosmetic dentistry procedure is to improve the appearance of the smile. It can be emotionally difficult to have aesthetically unappealing or unattractive teeth, but there are procedures that can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth and can take away the shame you might feel about your smile. Whether your teeth are stained, crooked, misshapen, or chipped, it is likely that there is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can help you, though it may come at a cost.
If your teeth are decayed or damaged, you might be able to repair their appearance with a porcelain crown. A porcelain crown, which may also be called a cap, is installed over an existing tooth, replacing the entire visible portion of the tooth. A porcelain crown can enhance a tooth’s size, shape, and appearance, as well as providing stability to the tooth. Porcelain crowns may be used to repair and restore a weak or cracked tooth, or to cover a misshapen or stained tooth. Cosmetic crowns are often made of porcelain, tooth-colored resin, or porcelain fused to a metal base, and they range in price from $800 to $1200 per tooth.
Some people whose teeth are stained or discolored prefer to undergo an in-office tooth-whitening procedure. This can be a simple and affordable way to whiten your smile. Dentists can perform in-office whitening procedures for about $350, or you can purchase whitening products from your dentist and whiten your own teeth at home for about $250. You will also find over-the-counter tooth-whitening kits available for retail; while these are not necessarily as effective as professional dental whitening procedures, they are usually convenient and affordable, sometimes costing as little as $3 and ranging up to $50.
Porcelain veneers are another common cosmetic dental option. Porcelain veneers are custom-made sheets of porcelain that are placed over the front surface of the teeth and bonded to the surface, repairing the shape, size, and color of the teeth. The installation of porcelain veneers requires that a dentist remove a thin layer of enamel from the teeth, to make room for the veneers to be placed and bonded. Because of the complexity and precision of this procedure, expense ranges from about $900-$1200 per tooth. Dental bonding can be a somewhat more affordable way to repair the appearance of teeth that are decayed, chipped, or cracked, with each tooth costing about $150 to $400 for a procedure that takes about 30 to 60 minutes. In a dental bonding procedure, a dentist sculpts tooth-colored bonding material, usually a durable plastic, onto the surface of the tooth itself, hardening the material with an ultraviolet or laser light. The bonded tooth is then shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Dentists may also use dental bonding as a substitute for a metal filling when cavities are found in the more visible teeth.
Ceramic inlays and onlays fill decayed or damaged teeth with porcelain materials. While porcelain dental bonding involves molding bonding materials directly onto the teeth, porcelain inlays and onlays are made out-of-office, in a dental laboratory, and are then bonded onto the teeth. Inlays are placed within the center of the tooth, and onlays are placed onto the surface of the tooth, preserving as much of the healthy tooth as possible. They can be a suitable alternative to porcelain crowns and cost about $650 to $900.
More serious cosmetic dental needs may require dental implants, which are replacement tooth roots made of titanium and inserted into the bone socket of a missing tooth. Bone heals around this implanted titanium post, allowing it to provide a securely anchored foundation for a new, replacement tooth. Dental implants require a minor surgical procedure and can cost upwards of $1,700. A fixed porcelain bridge can also be used to replace a missing tooth. A fixed porcelain bridge requires crowns to be installed over the teeth on each side of a missing tooth; these crowns are then connected with a replacement tooth that is anchored by the adjacent crowns. A fixed porcelain bridge with two crowns and one replacement tooth costs about $3,300 or more, again depending on complexity and placement.
Invisalign is another popular cosmetic dental procedure. Invisalign uses clear plastic custom-built aligners to apply pressure to the teeth and slowly move them toward their ideal positioning. Invisalign treatments start at about $2,800, with an average cost of $3,800-$4,800. Minor Invisalign treatments require only a few months to complete and generally cost less, while full-mouth Invisalign treatment is more expensive and can take as long as two years to complete.
Many dental insurance providers will cover services that support or provide oral health but may not cover elective or cosmetic procedures. The primary aim of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile, many insurance companies will not cover cosmetic procedures, though some will cover a portion of certain cosmetic procedures. Be sure to check with your dental insurance provider to learn if all or part of your selected procedure may be covered by dental insurance.
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