Teeth


Dental bonding is tooth-colored composite applied to teeth and shaped to look like other teeth. Porcelain veneers are ceramic shells that cover chips or cracks. Gum contouring reshapes the gum line. Teeth whitening lighten the teeth. Dental bridges fill spaces where teeth are missing. Dental crowns, made from a mold of a damaged tooth, are placed on the tooth to repair it. Dental implants are put in the jaw with a prosthetic tooth on top of it to replace missing teeth. Dental filling is composite resin material put in a tooth with a cavity. Inlays and Onlays are restorations to repair damaged teeth.  Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign fix the alignment of the teeth.

Almost anyone is a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry.  Patients with cracked, discolored and chipped teeth as well as those with gaps and teeth that are not symmetrical can benefit from cosmetic dentistry. Even patients with healthy teeth who simply want to straighten or brighten their teeth can have a procedure.

The cost of cosmetic dentistry depends on how much work is done in the mouth and if the work is covered by dental insurance. In general, dental bonding can cost $400-$1000 per tooth while porcelain veneers are anywhere from $600-$3000 per tooth. Gum contouring is anywhere from $500-$3500 and teeth whitening ranges from $300-$1000 depending on if the treatment is performed in an office or at home. Dental bridges are $600-$1200 per tooth, dental implants are $1000-$4000 and dental fillings are $110-$1300 per filling. Inlays and onlays are $650-$1200 per tooth. Braces run anywhere from $3000-$7000 while Invisalign costs an average of $4500-$5500.

The results of cosmetic surgery vary between the techniques used by the dentist. Porcelain veneers, dental bonding, bridges, implants and fillings can last 15-20 years if cared for properly by the patient. The results of gum contouring are usually permanent. Teeth whitening will need to be repeated every 6-8 months to maintain the results. The results of inlays and onlays are generally long lasting and can be anywhere from 10-30 years. The results of braces and Invisalign should last as long as the patient wears retainers at night to help keep the teeth in place after the treatment.

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges

submitted on   Tue Jan, 26, 2016 by Kevin Brown, DDS     
A dental bridge uses a fixed prosthetic device to address missing teeth. The device is called a dental bridge because it bridges a gap between one or more missing teeth. The process uses the adjacent teeth to support the bridge/artificial teeth located in-between the natural teeth. The...