A brighter, more balanced smile can do wonders for your confidence but many people are reluctant to explore treatment because they aren’t sure of the cost. Patients can talk with a dental professional at Complete Dental to discuss their concerns and learn what cosmetic options may be best suited to their goals. Knowing what affects the price can help you have more realistic expectations when you go into treatment.
The cost of cosmetic dental procedures can vary considerably because not every smile is treated the same. A simple procedure may require a very different investment than a treatment with several teeth or several stages.
What Determines the Cost?
Rather than searching for a single fixed price, think about the elements that contribute to your final treatment estimate.
- The Procedure You Choose
The range of procedures in cosmetic dentistry is wide. Teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers and other procedures vary in complexity, materials, number of appointments and lab involvement.
The more complex the procedure, the more factors that can affect the overall cost.
- The Number of Teeth Being Treated
Of course, treating one tooth is different than transforming the appearance of multiple teeth.
For example, a patient who wants to fix a minor cosmetic issue may just need a limited treatment but a patient who wants a more dramatic smile makeover may require multiple restorations.
- The Materials Used
Materials can also affect the look and price. Different types of dental materials may be used in different restorations depending on their location, function and durability.
Your dentist can discuss the options that are available and help you to understand how the choice of material will affect the treatment.
- Your Existing Oral Health
This is an important point that patients sometimes miss.
If you have untreated decay, gum problems, infection or other underlying dental issues cosmetic treatment may not be the first step. But if you take care of those concerns first, it can change the order of treatment and the total cost.
Does Location Affect Pricing?
Yes. Dental care prices will range from city to city, from practice to practice and from region to region. Differences in pricing can be due to the experience of the dental team, laboratory costs, facility expenses, technology used and the complexity of the treatment.
What About Other Dental Procedures?
Sometimes your cosmetic needs may overlap with your other dental needs. For instance, a patient looking for wisdom teeth extraction Houston, TX may have to deal with an impacted or problematic wisdom tooth before shifting focus to cosmetic improvements.
These procedures are for entirely different purposes. Wisdom tooth extraction is a dental health issue, whereas cosmetic treatment is primarily concerned with the appearance of the smile.
If you need both, your dentist can help figure out the proper order of treatment.
Should You Choose the Cheapest Option?
Not necessarily.
Price is certainly an important factor but it should not be the only one. All of these factors are important when comparing options: treatment, materials, professional care, expected lifespan, and follow-up requirements.
The cheapest procedure may not give you the result you want and the most expensive treatment may not be required for what is bothering you.
The consultation is used to discuss your expectations so you can be informed of your choices and what is involved in each option. This is what we do at Complete Dental.
Think About Value, Not Just Price
The right cosmetic treatment should take care of your specific concern and suit your oral health needs and expectations.
If you are considering cosmetic dental procedures, a consultation at Complete Dental can help you understand the options available for your smile and what factors may influence the cost.
Patients looking for wisdom teeth extraction Houston, TX services or other dental care can discuss their overall oral health needs during a professional evaluation. When you know what your smile truly needs, it becomes much easier to compare treatments and make an informed choice.