How Much Does it Cost to Have Cosmetic Dentistry?
Obtaining the perfect smile is something many people dream of but often they don’t realize how attainable it is. It’s a common myth that only celebrities have the perfect smile, but that “red carpet worthy” smile is only as far away as your downtown Calgary cosmetic dentist.
The key elements of a perfect smile are unique to each person because they are based on your individual face, lips, gums and teeth and how they all relate to each other on a macro level (as a whole) and a micro level (each individual element exclusively). A cosmetic dentist uses digital smile design to craft the most beautiful smile specifically for you with the help of modern technology and dental practices.
There are many different procedures that can be utilized to create the perfect smile. The process can be very simple and relatively inexpensive, or it can be complex and require significant time and expense to obtain. The time required and cost of cosmetic dentistry is based solely on what you and your cosmetic dentist have determined is the path to your perfect smile. How to get the perfect smile depends on your preferences and goals, so be sure to discuss the options below with your dentist to find out which procedures are right for you and to receive an accurate picture of the costs involved.
Teeth Whitening
The Zoom Teeth Whitening System is a safe and effective cosmetic dental treatment that whitens teeth in one appointment using a hydrogen peroxide gel and high intensity light. Patients see results in one session. Teeth are usually about 8 shades lighter after the treatment. Zoom Teeth Whitening requires one 90 minute session and includes take home whitening trays to keep your smile bright!
Braces or Invisalign
Braces or Invisalign straighten teeth which gives a more uniform appearance and allows both jaws to work together in harmony, producing a lovely smile that is even and symmetrical.
Depending on your needs, your cosmetic dentist will recommend self-ligating braces, traditional braces or Invisalign. The costs for each option will vary depending on your requirements but your dentist or orthodontist can review these costs with you ahead of time and most clinics offer payment options.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are one of the most common and versatile cosmetic procedures. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of tooth-coloured porcelain that can be bonded to the front of your teeth to change their appearance. They look and function just like your natural teeth, so neither you nor anyone else will be able to tell that you have veneers.
Porcelain veneers are used to correct numerous cosmetic problems:
- Change the shape and colour of teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Lengthen and correct small or misshapen teeth
- Repair cracked, broken or chipped teeth
- Whiten darkened or yellow stained teeth
- Straighten crooked teeth without orthodontics
Porcelain veneers require 2 appointments. One to shape and create a model of your tooth and the second to place the veneer. It is a fairly simple process and the cost will be determined based on your individual cosmetic dentistry plan.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a treatment where a durable tooth-coloured material is applied to your tooth surface and sculpted to create a new, natural looking tooth. It’s minimally invasive with results that are imperceptible to the naked eye and will help to restore or improve your smile.
Dental bonding is used for many of the same concerns as porcelain veneers so your dentist will recommend veneers or dental bonding depending on which works best within your treatment plan.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a dental restoration that replaces the outer surface of your tooth with ceramic material and/or gold. It is commonly used to restore a tooth when it is too damaged to support a filling, inlay or onlay.
A dental crown will strengthen your tooth, improve its colour and restore it to an ideal shape to help your bite and smile.
Dental crowns are often used to treat the following concerns:
- Restore a broken or cracked tooth
- Restore an implant for a missing tooth
- Restore a worn down or discoloured tooth
- Replace a failing large filling or old crown
- Repair a large cavity
- Complete your root canal therapy
If your teeth are cracked, discoloured or damaged, a dental crown will ensure that your teeth look great and can support any other cosmetic procedures you require. Dental crowns are similar to veneers in that they require 2 similar visits to shape, model and then place the crown. Dental crowns can be made of many materials, so you and your cosmetic dentist will determine the right option for you and then a cost estimate can be provided.
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that are inserted into the jaw bone to replace the roots of missing teeth. A dental crown is placed on top of your implant so the new tooth looks, feels, and works very similarly to the rest of your natural teeth. Dental implants are more natural looking and better for chewing than removable alternatives, which gives you a better overall esthetic.
Dental implant crowns are a permanent solution for missing teeth and they require more time to prepare, set and to place the final crown. Through to completion, the procedure will require several visits and will need months to heal between steps of the process, which also depends on whether you require additional grafting. Your dentist can provide you with more detailed information on the steps needed to place a dental implant and the costs associated.
Though a dental implant crown is a more extensive procedure in terms of the time and costs required, it is also a permanent solution that will last a lifetime, so it is worthwhile to explore in order to restore your perfect smile!
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge can be a good fit for you if you are missing one or more teeth. Missing teeth can cause a host of oral issues, as well as creating aesthetic concerns.
A dental bridge is an appliance containing one or more artificial teeth that is placed in the mouth by attaching to crowns placed on teeth on both sides of the gap.
The number of dental visits, healing time and cost of dental bridges varies considerably depending on your needs. Your cosmetic dentist can give you more accurate information.
Laser Gum Lift
A laser gum lift, or gum contouring, is a quick-healing treatment that will improve the look of your teeth, balance your smile and give you back your confidence.
Gum contouring will not only improve the appearance of your smile, it can make it easier to manage your dental health. The treatment uses local anesthetics to minimize pain and you will heal quickly after only a few days of mild discomfort.
Laser gum lifts require one visit to our clinic so the pricing is often fairly straightforward. Your dentist can provide further details.
Book a consultation with Dr. Nagra today to get started on designing your dream smile using cosmetic dentistry.