If you’re looking to fix your discolored, broken or misshapen teeth, or close a gap between them, you might want to consider cosmetic dentistry. From teeth whitening to bonding, Gulf Coast Dental family dentistry offers patients a variety of treatments to give them back their smiles. Below, you’ll find information on what cosmetic dentistry has to offer and will be able to decide which option best suits your needs and budget.
Minor Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
Want a simple, inexpensive solution to any problems you may have with your teeth? If yes, teeth whitening may be the way to go. Both in-office and at-home options are available when it comes to whitening teeth.
- Teeth can be bleached at your dentist’s office for $500. If you don’t want to do the process in-office, you can buy a mold and gel from them and bleach your teeth at home.
- If you don’t want to go into a dentist’s office, or buy products from them, many retail stores offer over-the-counter whitening products. These products include whitening toothpaste, rinses, and strips.
Typically, these products will cost between $3 and $50.
Dental Veneers
Also known as “Hollywood teeth,” dental veneers are custom-made, wafer-thin shells that are made of tooth-colored porcelain or resin. Veneers are used to change the color, shape, size, or length of teeth. First, about a half-millimeter of enamel has to be removed from the surface of the teeth the veneer will be on. After this process is complete, the veneers are bonded to, and cover, the front surface of the teeth. Much like their nickname suggests, dental veneers are expensive, costing $500-$1,300 per tooth.
Dental Bonding
Looking for a short process? Dental bonding only takes 30-60 minutes! Dental bonding uses a putty-like, tooth-colored resin as an alternative for silver fillings. This resin is applied to the tooth and hardened with ultraviolet or laser light, bonding it to the tooth. The dentist then trims, shapes and polishes it, resulting in decayed, chipped, cracked or misshapen teeth being repaired. This relatively quick process costs $100-$400 per tooth.
Major Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental Crowns
Also known as a “cap,” dental crowns are made from metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin or ceramic. Dental crowns fit over and replace a tooth that is decayed or damaged above the gum line. Crowns can be used to restore shape, size, strength and appearance, keep weak teeth from breaking and hold cracked teeth together. They can also be used cosmetically to cover several misshapen or discolored teeth. Typically, dental crowns cost $500-$900.
Inlays And Onlays
Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are an alternative to crowns made from gold, porcelain or composite materials. These indirect fillings fill decayed or damaged teeth. Unlike dental fillings, which are molded into place during appointments, inlays and outlays are created in a dental laboratory and bonded into place by dentists. While both cost $650-$1,200 per tooth and are considered indirect fillings, there are some differences between them:
- Inlays are when the material of the filling is bonded within the center of the tooth.
- Onlays are when the filling includes one or more points of the tooth or covers the biting surface.
Dental Implants
A titanium replacement for tooth roots, dental implants are inserted into the bone socket of missing teeth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, securely anchoring in the jaw and providing a foundation for a replacement tooth. This process costs $1,250-$3,000.
Other Options
Not sure any of the above options are right for you? Take a look at some other possible dental options that could be what you’re looking for:
- A bridge is made of crowns and is for the teeth on either side of a gap with false teeth in between.
- Dentures are a removable replacement for missing teeth.
- Dental braces straighten crooked or misaligned teeth and work by applying continuous pressure over time, slowly moving teeth in a specific direction.
Know What’s Right For You? Schedule An Appointment Today!
Think you know which cosmetic dentistry option is best for you? Schedule an appointment with Gulf Coast Dental today for a second opinion and get your smile back today.
