Porcelain Veneers, Dental Implants, Bridges and Other Smile Enhancement Procedures
Many women who undergo a tummy tuck or other aesthetic plastic surgery procedure also consider cosmetic dentistry to enhance their smile. Popular treatments such as teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers often are used to correct tooth discoloration, minor imperfections and misalignment. However, there are merely two treatments in the smile makeover repertoire.
If you are considering a cosmetic dentistry treatment, the first step in the process is to speak with your dentist about what it is you wish to improve about your smile. Once your dentist has a sense of your smile makeover goals, you can discuss available treatment options. These treatment options may include one or more of the following:
- Porcelain dental veneers
- Dental bridge
- Dental implants (or mini dental implants)
- Dentures
- Cosmetic bonding
- Tooth-colored dental fillings
- Dental crowns
- Orthodontics (braces or clear aligners like Invisalign and Clear Correct)
For severe cases, your dentist may suggest full mouth reconstruction as an option, whereby a series of treatments are used to vastly improve your smile. However, such treatment could end up costing tens of thousands of dollars, and may or may not be covered by dental insurance.
Dental insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for elective cosmetic procedures. Considering that porcelain veneers cost thousands of dollars, you may wish to consider a cheaper alternative such as minimal prep Lumineer veneers or even teeth whitening. Similarly, dentures or a dental bridge may be an alternative for you if the cost of dental implants is out of your budget. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and that a cheaper alternative may not provide the same aesthetic value, longevity or durability. Implants may be expensive, but they can last up to 30 years or more if properly cared for.
During your initial consultation, your cosmetic dentist can show you some before and after photos of patients who have undergone the treatment(s) you are considering. Veeners before and after pictures, implantation before and afters, smile makeovers, etc, all can help you gain a truer understanding of the results you might expect.