At Mint Dental Alaska in Anchorage, we believe in the power of smiles, and that’s why our dentists have the special training and continuing education to perform a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures. We have the experience, tools, and education to make sure that your cosmetic dentistry procedure is done correctly the first time and with your budget in mind. Call our main office at (907) 312-2317 or fill out the form below to set up an appointment to see a dentist today!
Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
So, what are the different types of cosmetic dentistry, anyways? As the name suggests, cosmetic dentistry is a special field of dentistry that focuses on improving how your smile looks rather than just trying to maintain the health of those teeth.
Of course, as with all medical fields, there’s often some overlap. Some procedures can be considered cosmetic as well as restorative, but, for the most part, the emphasis of the procedures is distinctly different.
The most common cosmetic dental procedures include:
TEETH WHITENING
The pictures of patients in dental offices always portray smiling faces with pristine, white teeth, but it can seem somewhat fake. This is because everyone’s teeth can become discolored over time, whether through stains transferred from food, genetics or just from aging.
Luckily, dentists have worked out a safe, reliable way to reverse the discoloration. Professional teeth whitening is within reach for you as well when you visit our Mint Dental Alaska office in Anchorage. Coming in to see us for safe teeth whitening to return your smile to its former beauty. Interested? Find out more about teeth whitening!
PORCELAIN VENEERS AND DENTAL CROWNS
Porcelain veneers and dental crowns make up the strongest and most potent aesthetic restorations possible. Simply put, veneers and crowns are both attachments that can be placed over damaged or discolored teeth, but their function covers much more than just hiding discoloration. Veneers and crowns can change the very shape and length of the teeth, covering imperfections or damage much more effectively than any other procedure. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of porcelain veneers vs crowns? Come in and see us and we’ll help you decide the best option for you.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
One of the easiest ways to ruin a smile is to remove a tooth from it. A fairly recent development in the dental world is in the types of dental implants we are able to offer. This new type of implant solves many of the old dental implant problems and provides a safe method to fill in the gap in a completely unnoticeable way. The dental implant procedure involves the installation of a piece of titanium that fuses to the jawbone like a regular tooth root. After the implant heals, a specially created crown can then be attached to the metal stub. The result is a prosthetic tooth that looks identical to and acts exactly the same as a regular tooth. Dental implants (as well as their cohorts bridges and dentures) can be considered a restorative procedure as well as a cosmetic one.
COMPOSITE BONDING
One of the least expensive forms of cosmetic dentistry, dental cosmetic bonding is a great solution for many minor dental issues. Also called cosmetic resin bonding, this is a potential solution for small cavities, slight chips, irregularities and small spaces between teeth. The bonding resin is similar to a veneer in that it covers up the tooth. Unlike veneers, only small additions are being made to each tooth, so generally the cost of composite bonding will be much less than other cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Why should I get cosmetic dentistry?
You’ve probably been thinking this whole time why you would need a cosmetic treatment. The honest answer is that there’s technically no “requirement”. Pursuing cosmetic dentistry is a completely voluntary choice.
However, there’s got to be a reason why millions of people get teeth whitening done every year, and the reason is this: your smile matters. The American Dental Association’s research is startling. Over 95% of people believe that having a smile is an important social asset for a person to have. And with cosmetic dentistry, you, too, can have a smile that adds to your personality.
Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
One of the most common questions we get is “how much does cosmetic dentistry cost?”. The quick answer is that costs vary greatly depending on what service you are looking at. For instance, a tooth whitening procedure will be significantly cheaper than a full set of crowns or veneers. Crest put together a good guide to cosmetic dentistry costs that you can refer to for ballpark pricing.
Another common question that we often hear is “Will insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?”. This depends a lot on your personal coverage, but most of the time the answer is no. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if you have bonding done to a tooth to protect a small cavity that also fills in a small gap in your teeth, that likely would be covered.
Pricing and the type of procedure varies so greatly that we recommend you schedule an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss your individual case.
Questions about Cosmetic Dentistry?
You can visit our practice at any time to get recommendations or to get a professional treatment done.
Mint Dental Alaska in Anchorage is dedicated to helping you preserve your smile, and visiting our office is the first step to jump-starting that process. Call our office today at (907) 646-8670 to set up an appointment with one of our cosmetic dentists!
