Chips, cracks, and discoloration can appear over many years of wear and tear, but that doesn’t mean you should have to settle for a smile you don’t feel confident showing off. There are many cosmetic options to consider the next time you attend a party, wedding, graduation, or other occasion where you know pictures will be taken and you want to look your best.
That’s why your cosmetic dentist in Columbia is defining cosmetic dentistry, a few treatments to consider, and how dental insurance comes into play.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Dental treatments are considered cosmetic when they are mainly designed to improve the appearance of your smile, rather than improve your overall oral health. For example, prosthodontics can improve the appearance of your smile, but their mainly designed to restore your mouth’s many functions. These include dental implants, dentures, and full-mouth reconstructions.
The American Dental Association considers the following treatments to be potentially cosmetic:
- Braces
- Veneers
- Porcelain crowns
- Bridges
- Teeth whitening
- Dental bonding
What Cosmetic Treatments are Worth Considering?
When you visit a qualified dentist who’s dedicated decades studying the art and practice of reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry, you can rest assured that your smile will come out looking better than ever. When trying to improve your smile, here’s what you can expect with the following treatments:
- Porcelain Veneers – These are ultra-thin sheaths of ceramic designed to sit on the surface of teeth. If your dentist is experienced in placing veneers, they’re likely to have multiple options that reduce the amount of enamel typically needed for removal. For example, Lumineers and DURAthin veneers both require little to no preparation to place, without sacrificing effectiveness.
- Six Month Smiles Accelerated Braces – While traditional braces can take a minimum of 18 months for results, this accelerated program can help busy adults and teens fix minor to moderate misalignment in a fraction of the time.
- At-Home Teeth Whitening – Now you can whiten your teeth entirely on your own time. Getting professional results doesn’t require dental visits when you can whiten teeth at home or while traveling. By wearing these custom-made whitening trays, you can get a smile multiple shades whiter in just a few months.
- Dental Bonding – An economical route for cosmetic treatment, dental bonding uses composite resin to fill chips, cracks, gaps, and cover discoloration instantly.
If you want to get multiple treatments done, consider asking your dentist about their smile makeover process.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Most of the time, dental insurance will only cover cosmetic treatments if the procedure you want restores tooth structure or improves your oral health. Even then, major cosmetic work is typically covered at 50 percent.
If you want to reduce costs, make sure your dentist always lists all their cosmetic options. In many cases, dental bonding is a sufficient way to improve your smile, rather then going all out with porcelain veneers. Ask them for a second opinion if you were given a price for treatment from another dentist and weren’t satisfied with it.
Have more questions about receiving cosmetic treatments? Schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Columbia today!
About the Author
Dr. Victor Beck Jr. is an expert when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, but he won’t stop there. He dedicates hundreds of hours annually to learning the newest and most effective treatments to improve your smile. To learn more about his treatments or practice, contact your dentist in Columbia through his website.