If you have stained, worn, broken, chipped, misshapen, misaligned teeth, or have gaps between your teeth, modern cosmetic dentistry is the right dental solution for you. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can improve both the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Generally, your cosmetic dentists can check your dental condition to determine what dental procedure is suited to your dental problem.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to the art and science of improving your smile’s appearance. It also includes different procedures to restore your teeth’s functionality.
Dental procedures may involve moving your teeth from their original positions, getting caps or veneers, tooth whitening, and other dental procedures that may not need surgery to enhance the look of your teeth and mouth. On the other hand, cosmetic dental surgery refers to cosmetic dental work that is more complex, usually involves local anesthesia and requires a longer procedure and recovery time.
Types and Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure
Cosmetic dentistry offers various dental services for those who wish to enhance their teeth and gums’ appearance. Generally, you can choose from multiple types of cosmetic dentistry that may focus on improving the size, shape, position, alignment, colour or overall appearance of one’s teeth. Below are some of its type:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and least expensive dental methods to improve your teeth’ appearance. For about $500, you can get your teeth bleaching process with in-office products in your dentist’s office. If you’re on a tight budget, you may also buy mould and whitening gels from your dentist to do the bleaching at home.
There are also whitening products available over the counter at retail stores if you want a more convenient and affordable at-home whitening product. You can buy these teeth whitening products at a very low price, somewhere between $3 – $50.
Dental Veneers
Another common type of cosmetic dentistry is dental veneers. These look like wafer-thin, custom-made shells of a tooth-coloured resin or porcelain that cover the front surface of your teeth.
In this dental procedure, your dentist will remove about a half-millimetre of enamel from your tooth surface. These veneers will then be cemented to your teeth’ front surface, changing their shape, size, length, and colour. This dental process can cost around $500-$1,300 per tooth.
Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dentistry also offers dental bonding, a tooth-coloured, putty-like resin, typically made from a durable plastic material. In applying this device, your dentist will use ultraviolet or laser light to harden the material used for bonding. Your dentist will also trim, shape, and polish your teeth after applying the material. Dental bonding is suitable for repairing your decayed, cracked, chipped, or misshapen teeth. It is also a good alternative for amalgam or silver fillings. The cost of this cosmetic dentistry process is about $100 to $400 per tooth.
Dental Crown
A dental crown or a cap is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures that most people opt for. If you are worried about your decayed or damaged tooth, then getting a dental crown is the right option for you.
It can easily fit over your teeth, restoring their size, shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns can also hold a breaking tooth together and can be used to cover severely discoloured or misshapen teeth. You can choose from metal, resin, ceramic, or porcelain-fused-to-metal, and expect to pay around $500 to $900.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays or indirect fillings are also an example of a cosmetic dentistry procedure. They are typically made from porcelain, gold, or composite materials and are used to fill damaged or decayed teeth. The two fillings differ on how it is applied in the tooth.
A filling is called an “inlay” when the material is bonded within the center of a tooth, while it is called an “onlay” when the filling covers the biting surface and includes one or more tooth points. Inlays and onlays are a good alternative to crowns as they preserve a healthy tooth as possible. The cost of this cosmetic dentistry process is about $650 to $1,200 per tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are also a good type of cosmetic dentistry procedure that resolves a missing tooth. Usually, a titanium replacement tooth is inserted into the bone socket of your missing tooth. As your jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, securing its place in the jaw and providing a foundation for a tooth replacement. This procedure can cost around $1,250 to $3,000.
Final Thoughts
While it is true that Cosmetic Dentistry is mostly about the dental aesthetic, it can also significantly improve your oral health. Cosmetic dentistry procedures make it easier for you to maintain your oral hygiene routine while giving you solutions to repair cracked, chipped or decaying teeth or replacing a missing tooth. With cosmetic dental procedures, you can also reduce the chance of infection and further tooth decay.
If you would like to get cosmetic dentistry procedures in North York, Richmond Hill and Markham, you can consider Thornhill Dental. You may call us at 905-771-8100 to book an appointment.