Guide to Cosmetic DentistryEverything you need to know.

Do I Need Cosmetic Dentistry Services? 3Do you often smile with a closed mouth in photographs? Do you have a very special event coming up? Have your teeth suffered damage or decay? Cosmetic dentistry services are for everyone

Cosmetic Dentistry 101 4Teeth Whitening Aesthetically Pleasing Repairs Orthodontics

Finding Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry 5Don’t get everything fixed at once Talk to your insurance provider to be clear on what’s covered Talk to your dentist about affordable cosmetic dentistry Be sure your dentist has advanced credentials

Is there cosmetic dental insurance? 6Cosmetic Dental Insurance Cash Pay Payment Plans

How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in the Long-run? 7Braces Dental implants Full mouth reconstruction

Table of Contents

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 2

Only you can decide if you need cosmetic dentistry services. While

these procedures are often considered “elective,” having a smile

you can be proud of is a tremendous confidence-booster. And a

confident, radiant smile can carry you far. Here are a few questions

to ask yourself as you consider the possibility of cosmetic dentistry.

Do you often smile with a closed mouth in photographs?If so, you might want to consider why. Maybe you don’t like your

teeth and need a smile confidence boost. Perhaps you have damage

or decay that needs to be addressed. Or maybe you just wish your

smile was whiter and brighter. If any of these describe you, you

might want to have a conversation with a cosmetic dental specialist.

A qualified cosmetic dentist can offer you a detailed consultation

and help create a treatment plan that fits your needs. Having

confidence in your smile can make all the difference; don’t wait.

Do you have a very special event coming up? Are you getting married? Or perhaps you’re the maid of honor or

the mother of the bride? Is your 10 year (or 20 year) high school

reunion just around the corner? If so, now would be a great time to

get your smile in tip-top shape! Perhaps an in-office or take-home

whitening treatment is right for you. Chat with your dentist to

see how you can make your smile its brightest for those timeless

photographs.

Have your teeth suffered damage or decay?Perhaps you have tooth decay, or damaged teeth from an injury or

accident. Even the most complex dental concerns can be repaired

with the latest technology. You would be amazed at the potential

results. Set up a consultation with your dentist to explore your next

steps and come up with the ideal treatment plan for you.

Cosmetic dentistry services are for everyoneFlawless smiles rarely come naturally. They often need a little help

along the way. Almost everyone can benefit from cosmetic dentistry

at some point in their lives, from whitening and braces, to repairs

and veneers.

Do I Need Cosmetic Dentistry Services?

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 3

Looking for a guide to cosmetic dentistry? Your smile is the first

thing people notice about you. And it’s much less about your

appearance, and much more about the confidence you radiate when

your eyes light up and you grin from ear to ear. The right cosmetic

dentistry can help you have that confidence in your smile. Here is a

quick guide to some of your options:

Teeth WhiteningTooth whitening can be achieved in many different ways. The

simplest way to brighten your teeth is with a whitening toothpaste

at home. Though this option is the least expensive, the results

will be the most subtle. Your dentist might also recommend a

take-home kit that they can provide for you in-office for more

dramatic results. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use, low-

concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or

longer. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made trays that

resemble mouth guards. For the most dramatic whitening results,

you can choose an in-office whitening procedure. This usually only

requires one visit, and ensures even whitening over every surface of

the teeth.

Aesthetically Pleasing RepairsThese cosmetic dentistry options include inlays/onlays, composite

bonding, dental veneers, dental implants, and dental contouring.

1. Inlays/onlays can be an attractive way to provide a “filling”

to teeth that suffer from damage or decay. They are made of

porcelain or a composite material, and are expertly fitted and

bonded to the teeth by your dentist.

2. Composite bonding can repair chipped or broken teeth and

make them look brand new. Your dentist uses a composite

material and carefully hand-sculpts it into shape, resulting in a

flawless restoration of the tooth and a bright smile.

3. Dental veneers are often made of porcelain, and can be bonded

to the surface of a tooth to correct chips, cracks, or large gaps.

4. Dental implants are an artificial tooth replacement that repairs

tooth loss. The results of dental implants are often a more

youthful appearance, as missing teeth can prematurely age the

face.

5. Dental contouring involves gently reshaping the teeth to

remove rough edges, sharp points, or too much length.

OrthodonticsOrthodontics can correct crooked teeth or a poor bite utilizing

traditional braces or invisible aligners. Ask your dentist if

orthodontics is the right answer to your dental concerns.

Cosmetic Dentistry 101

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 4

Finding Affordable Cosmetic DentistryFinding affordable cosmetic dentistry can be intimidating. Many

dental insurance plans don’t cover “non-essential” procedures, and

the cost of creating the smile of your dreams can add up quickly.

But when the right cosmetic dentist is on your side; they will do

their absolute best to create a treatment plan that fits your budget.

Here are some tips and tricks to finding affordable cosmetic

dentistry in your area.

Don’t get everything fixed at onceIt can be a great idea to take your time and spread your smile

makeover out over months or even years. Take baby steps toward

reaching your goals, rather than paying a huge lump sum all at once

for multiple methods. This not only makes the process more gradual

and even comfortable, but keeps beautiful results well within your

budget.

Talk to your insurance provider to be clear on what’s coveredWhile many elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental

insurance, some procedures that you may need as a result of an

illness or injury may be. For example, tooth whitening is rarely

covered, but veneers or other forms of resurfacing or reshaping the

teeth may be covered. You never know until you ask.

Talk to your dentist about affordable cosmetic dentistryMany dentists offer low-interest payment plans to their patients,

making your dream smile that much more attainable. Also, be sure

to have an in-depth consultation with your dentist about your smile

goals before making any decisions. They are the experts, and may

have insight into helping you achieve your goal with even fewer

procedures.

Be sure your dentist has advanced credentialsYou want to find a dentist who is certified by the American

Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These dentists are at the

top of their field, and can recommend the ideal procedures for you

at the most reasonable available pricing. A great dentist will take

their time with you in consultation, ensuring you feel comfortable

with every aspect of your treatment plan. They will also get excited

with you about attaining your dream smile!

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 5

Is there cosmetic dental insurance?Seeking cosmetic dental insurance can feel like a daunting task.

Many insurance companies don’t offer complete dental coverage to

begin with, so finding coverage that includes “elective” procedures

can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Depending on the

types of treatment you may need, there are many financial options

that can help you stay on-budget and still get the smile you’ve

always dreamed of.

Cosmetic Dental InsuranceEven plans that offer great dental coverage may be lacking in

discounts for cosmetic procedures. Be sure to talk to your insurance

provider in detail about the level of coverage available for the

treatment you are hoping to get. For example, it’s almost impossible

to find a plan that will discount tooth whitening. But depending

on the level of damage or decay that your teeth are suffering,

procedures like veneers or dental implants may be covered as a

medical necessity. For maximum coverage, look for an indemnity

or fee-for-service dental insurance plan, which can only be found

through private insurers (not the Marketplace.) Plans like these will

often cost twice as much (or more) than typical dental coverage.

The trade-off is that the customer will be able to choose any doctor

they want, and have nearly any procedure covered after they meet

their deductible.

Cash PayMany providers offer a discount, (often significant), to patients who

are willing to pay cash for their care. Talk to your provider about

the possibilities of a reduction in fees if you are able to pay cash

on the spot. If you have a non-urgent cosmetic procedure that you

would like to have done, start setting aside some funds now so you

can schedule your procedure in the near future.

Payment PlansTalk to your provider about the possibility of a payment plan for

your cosmetic dentistry needs. Many dentists will offer low-interest

financing to their patients so that they can get the care they need

right away. If you are concerned about the cost of any procedure,

talk to your doctor about it. They want to do everything in their

power to provide you with the best care possible. A good provider

will be able to help you work your care into your budget to the best

of their ability.

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 6

How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in the Long-run?How much does cosmetic dentistry cost? That question has widely

varied answers depending on the type of procedure you may need

or want. Cosmetic dentistry can vary in price from a few hundred

to several thousand dollars, but the only way to get an accurate

quote is to have a detailed consultation with your dentist to assess

your needs. However, reparative and preventative cosmetic dental

care can actually cost less if addressed now than the potential

problems a lack of treatment may cause in the long run. Here are a

few procedures that can do just that.

BracesOrthodontia, like braces or invisalign, can correct not just crooked

teeth, but a host of bite and jaw problems as well. Dental issues like

these, when corrected early, can prevent much greater problems in

the future. While braces & retainers may seem like a big investment

now, they are well worth it in the long run. Invisalign can cost an

average of between $3,000-$8,000.

Dental implantsDental implants are often used when a tooth is lost due to infection

or injury. Leaving the space open can invite new infections, and

potentially affect speaking and eating. Dental implants, while

restoring your beautiful smile, are also a long-term solution to

missing teeth. With proper care, an expertly placed dental implant

can last a lifetime, making it well worth the initial financial

investment. On average, a single dental implant can cost between

$1,000-$5,000.

Full mouth reconstructionA full mouth reconstruction will profoundly improve the aesthetics

of your smile, while also treating and correcting functional

problems with the bite, teeth, and bone structure. The results can

be beautiful and natural looking, while correcting a whole lifetime

of problems. The cost of a full mouth reconstruction can only be

determined after a detailed consultation with your dentist.

Think of cosmetic dentistry as an investment in your health and

in your confidence. Talk to your dentist today about how cosmetic

dentistry may be able to correct and prevent dental problems, all

while perfecting and beautifying your unique smile.

GUIDE TO COSMETIC DENTISTRY 7

Congratulations!

Now that you know what is available, give us a call.

Here at Fredericksburg Smile Center, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that will give you a smile you can love.

Our friendly, professional staff will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs!

Book an appointment