Cosmetic Dentistry - Waterford, PA
Making Smile Flaws a Distant Memory
These days, there is no reason to live with a smile you are anything less than 100% satisfied with. If you look in the mirror and can’t get past the appearance of dark, stained, chipped, cracked, or otherwise imperfect front teeth, cosmetic dentistry can help! Patients turn to Dr. Dinesh Patel for a number of smile solutions — including dazzling transformations. Keep reading to learn more about our offerings in cosmetic dentistry.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin coverings that can mask the appearance of any number of cosmetic imperfections all at once. Veneers are customized to your smile to ensure they are the size, shade, and shape that suits your facial structure best. Completed in just two visits to our dental practice, porcelain veneers can last for over a decade with the proper care. And, because dental porcelain is highly resistant to stains, you can think of them as permanent teeth whitening, too!
Metal-Free Restorations
If you have a broken, damaged, or severely decayed tooth in the front of your smile, you need a solution that blends both restorative and cosmetic dentistry — and metal-free restorations fit the bill. A dental crown made out of an all-ceramic or porcelain material can bring back the strength your tooth without taking away from the overall appearance of your beautiful smile. Porcelain is even customizable to perfectly match the shade of your surrounding teeth.
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding allows your dentist to add to missing or damaged tooth enamel, sculpting the area into a new, beautiful tooth —one that you won’t ever want to hide again. Good for broken, chipped, stained, or otherwise imperfect tooth enamel, direct bonding is a non-invasive treatment that can be completed in a single visit to our office. The results can last for many years with the proper care and maintenance.
Teeth Whitening
It’s not surprising that the teeth change color over time — think of all the things they are exposed to on a day-to-day basis. From coffee and red wine to ripe berries and beets, they indeed take a real “beeting”… but professional at home teeth whitening can help by breaking through stains to reveal your brightest, whitest smile!
Gum Recontouring
A truly beautiful smile is about having the proper proportion of tooth enamel to gum tissue. If you have an uneven gum line or if there is too much gum tissue covering up your teeth, you have what we call a gummy smile — and it’s something that can be fixed with gum recontouring. Using laser precision, Dr. Patel can "zap" away at any excess tissue to reveal the healthy white tooth enamel that is hidden behind it!
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Are you ready to make your dental flaws a distant memory? Fortunately, achieving the smile of your dreams doesn’t have to break the bank! We’re proud to offer a variety of cosmetic dental services at different price points so you can get exactly the look you want in a way that fits into your budget. During your consultation, we’ll be happy to give you a personalized estimate as well as review your financing options. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the cost of cosmetic dentistry.
What Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Are you looking to change the size, shape, or color of your teeth? Or perhaps a combination of these factors? Our versatile cosmetic treatments can help you if you’re looking to fix one minor imperfection, correct several different types of flaws, or revamp your smile entirely. Depending on your goals and your budget, you may be interested in:
- Teeth Whitening – One of our most popular and most affordable cosmetic treatments is teeth whitening. We use professional-grade whitening ingredients to quickly and safely remove years of stains from your smile! This treatment can make a dramatic difference in your appearance at a low cost, but will not change the shape or size of your teeth.
- Direct Bonding – If you have minor chips, gaps, or cracks in your teeth, direct bonding is a cost-effective and fast way to polish up your smile. We’ll use tooth-colored composite resin to seamlessly mold your tooth back into perfection. Direct bonding can minorly adjust the size, shape, and color of your teeth in a cost-effective way, but will need to be redone every few years.
- Veneers – Veneers are more expensive than other cosmetic services, but they are more comprehensive and last longer. These thin shells of dental porcelain can mask all types of imperfections on one or more teeth, offering stain-resistance, durability, and a lifespan of 15 years or more.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be An Investment Worth Making
Cosmetic dentistry will improve more than just your appearance. Investing in your smile will encourage you to practice better dental hygiene, which will naturally reduce the cost of caring for your smile over the years. Additionally, you’ll unconsciously feel more inclined to smile! As you do so, you’ll reduce your blood pressure and release endorphins. A beautiful smile also plays a key role in how others see you, and can help you appear more confident, successful, healthy, and trustworthy. It could potentially make all the difference in situations like a first date or job interview!
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Cosmetic dentistry is rarely covered by dental insurance. However, at Summit Family Dentistry, we believe getting a beautiful, confident smile should be a financially achievable goal for everyone! In addition to offering a variety of services at different price points, we’ve partnered with CareCredit. This third-party financing company offers a variety of plans that can break up the cost of your treatment into smaller payments. You’ll pay the total over the course of several months, often with little or no interest!
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
From beautiful veneers to smile-transforming teeth whitening, now you know a bit more about how Dr. Patel and our team can straighten, brighten, and otherwise perfect your grin. With that being said, it’s completely natural to still have a few questions on your mind before committing to a certain treatment. That’s why we’ve taken the time to respond to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you would prefer to speak directly with our cosmetic dentist or are simply ready to schedule your initial consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us!
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Take?
That depends! For example, if you are looking to address minor chips and cracks, then dental bonding can erase flaws like these in a single visit. However, if you are looking to fix permanent discoloration and slight misalignment with veneers, then the process typically takes at least two appointments (which are spread out over the course of a couple of weeks). Don’t worry – if you have a milestone event or celebration coming up, we will take that into consideration during your initial consultation. That way, your smile is picture-perfect in time.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?
In most cases, the answer is no. There are a few exceptions, however. Treatments that combine both restorative and cosmetic dentistry, like metal-free restorations, may be eligible for coverage. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your provider. Plus, if you need any help understanding or maximizing your coverage, we’re here to help! We are proud to offer in-network savings and file out-of-network claims to ensure that you get the smile you want at a price you can afford.
Am I a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Whether you are struggling to smile confidently due to a minor crack or severe discoloration, you may be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. At your initial consultation, our dentist will sit down with you to determine just that! If your oral health is in good shape, then we will work with you to determine which smile-enhancing service is the best fit for your unique dental needs. If your oral health is compromised by an untreated issue, like tooth decay, then we will work the appropriate restorative service into your treatment plan and move forward from there.
How Do I Know Which Cosmetic Dentistry Solution Is Right for Me?
With so many safe, effective cosmetic dentistry options available, you may be wondering how to decide which one is right for you. This is one of the primary focuses of the initial consultation. After all, no two smiles are the same, and we want to create a custom treatment plan that will result in the beautiful, flawless smile you’ve always wanted. That’s why we will conduct a comprehensive oral exam, cover the pros and cons of each option, and discuss the financial components in-depth. So, don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment today!