Cosmetic dentistry is a broad field that includes all dental procedures that improve the appearance of the teeth and smile. The primary goals of cosmetic dentistry focus on enhancing the position, shape, color, size, or alignment of the teeth with the goal of beautifying the smile. Because of the breadth of the field and the number of treatments and procedures included under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry, there isn’t one clear answer to the question of how much dentistry costs. As an example, teeth whitening kits, which are cosmetic treatments, can be purchased over the counter for as little as a few dollars, while professional teeth whitening treatments performed in a dentist’s office can cost as much as $350. Other cosmetic dentistry treatments range just as widely in price, but most patients who’ve had cosmetic dental treatments find that their benefits outweigh their costs. The renewed sense of confidence that comes with a bright, straight, attractive smile, for many people, is worth the investment.
One of the more common and well-known cosmetic dentistry treatments is the dental crown. These porcelain caps fit over the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth, reviving their appearance and strength. Porcelain crowns can cover misshapen or severely stained teeth, and they can also be used to hold together a tooth that is cracked. The price range for a porcelain crown is about $1,200 to $1,600. Another popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, teeth whitening, is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to improve the appearance of the teeth. In a dentist’s office, a professional whitening treatment costs about $450, and dentists can also formulate professional-grade whitening kits to use at home for about $250. There are also multiple types of over-the-counter whitening treatments, like whitening toothpastes and bleaching trays, that range from under $5 to more than $50. While these over-the-counter treatments can help gradually whiten mildly stained teeth, professional treatments are more effective for severely stained or discolored teeth.
When stained teeth are resistant to whitening treatments or visibly damaged with chips or cracks, dental veneers could be the recommended cosmetic solution. These ultra-thin sheets of tooth-colored porcelain are cemented over the front surfaces of the teeth, modifying their color as well as their size and shape. Porcelain veneers are priced in the $1000 range, per tooth. Cosmetic bonding can also help repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, deformed, or decayed. This treatment uses tooth-colored dental resin that is sculpted onto the teeth and then shaped and polished, and each treatment costs anywhere from $150 to $400 per tooth. Ceramic inlays and onlays, which fill decayed and damaged teeth with custom porcelain fillings that are cemented onto the teeth, are an alternative to dental crowns and range in cost from $850 to $1100 per tooth.
Dental implant treatments rely on titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone to support prosthetic teeth. Dental implants tend to cost between $2000 and $3000 per tooth, though additional treatments that may be required for implants to succeed, like bone grafts, can add to this cost. For patients who are missing a tooth, implants provide optimal results, but porcelain bridges can also be used to replace a missing tooth that is between two healthy teeth. These devices rely on the adjacent teeth to support a dental prosthetic and costs begin at about $3000. The most comprehensive cosmetic dentistry treatment is the smile makeover, which might use many of these treatments in combination and which completely overhauls the smile. These custom treatments can perfect a person’s smile and range in price from $3500 to $15000, depending on the materials selected, the number of procedures needed, and the desires and needs of the patient.
